Bonhams will auction Syd Barrett‘s handwritten lyrics to “Vegetable Man” next month.
The song was recorded by Pink Floyd in mid-October 1967 to be included on the band’s second album “A Saucerful of Secrets” (1968). The track was instead shelved for nearly 50 years, when it was finally released as part of the boxset “The Early Years: 1965–1972” (2016).
According to Bonhams, the lyric sheet “was acquired by Pink Floyd’s first manager at the time the song was written and has been in his possession since.”
It consists of each verse and the chorus written across 32 lines over two pages of lined paper in blue ballpoint pen with handwritten musical chords. It’s being sold with a letter concerning its provenance.
Bonhams indicates this will be the first time a complete set of lyrics handwritten by Barrett will be offered at auction. It estimates the item will sell for £30,000 to £40,000, approximately $35,000 to $46,000 in U.S. currency.
Copyright is not included with the sale, with all rights remaining with Barrett’s estate.
The auction takes place Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. GMT in London. Learn more at the Bonhams website.
