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The Priest They Called Him Kurt Cobain Signature

Came across this recently and thought the community might like to see it. One of the more unusual Kurt Cobain autographs. Be sure to check out the picture as those were the autographs used on the record.

the cardboard with the original autographs was kept by thor lindsay, owner of tim/kerr records, and in 2001 it was put on auction on ebay by thor's friend thomas robinson.
from the auction form: These are the original autographs of Kurt Cobain and William S. Burroughs that were used to make the TK record. The item is absolutely authentic. In 1992, Thor persuaded Kurt and Burroughs to do a record together. This was released the next year as "Priest". On the record, the B side is actually an engraving of their signatures. The item up for bid is the original artwork containing the original autographs of Cobain & Burroughs. The way that these were made is that Thor mailed the board to Burroughs who signed it and mailed it back. Then, Thor flew down to SF where Cobain was playing. Cobain signed it backstage on Friday, April 9, 1992 at the cow palace. The photo on the back of the record jacket was taken backstage on that night.
The signed board is 10.75" x 11".
Included with the auction are a number of other items:
- original backstage pass used by Thor at the concert where the autograph was signed
- original test pressing (white label) of the record, showing the engraved B side which was produced from these signatures. This is in a stock jacket
- a sealed copy of the record, the double sided picture disc (only 5000 pressed)
- an extra copy of the same record and cover, not sealed, so you have a copy to play
- a CD of the release
- an original promotional poster for the record release.
I unconditionally guarantee that this is authentic. I knew Thor and Courtney and many people involved with Thor's label, and in fact I am the photographer of the Wipers box set with Kurt that was also issued back then (look on the record, my name is Thomas Robinson). Thor was friends with Kurt for years. The photographer who flew to SF with Thor to take the photos is Marc Trunz and he is also a witness to the signing and lives nearby.
I am now a pro ebayer and am selling this on behalf of my friend Thor.
these items were repeatedly put on auctions (the last time, on january 2002, the original master tape was also included) but never reached the high reserve. later they were sold privately.
related items: the "priest" they called him 10" record and cd, original master tape

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 18, 2024 at 8:46am

I remember Burrough's played "Tom the Priest" in 1989's Drugstore Cowboy.

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Permalink Reply by J.Seah on January 18, 2024 at 10:16am

This was sold over the years at an auction house. It was recently consigned for auction again.
It is an authentic original signed template that was use on the record itself.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on January 18, 2024 at 10:46am

That is correct. Found this an on auction site and was curious on the history on it. Looks like it first went through eBay before someone bought it privately. It just sold at auction last month, for what I would consider inexpensive.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on January 18, 2024 at 5:59pm

Do you know anymore about its history?

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Permalink Reply by J.Seah on January 18, 2024 at 7:18pm

All the info is in your post.

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Moustache on January 30, 2024 at 1:58pm

Thanks for sharing.
I was a kid when this record came out. I was in a record store in NYC and this had just arrived. I bought a copy because I was (still am) a nirvana nut. I opened it on the sidewalk outside the shop and looked at the etched signatures with my friends. We thought it was actually HAND ETCHED into the vinyl by William and Kurt. My buddies immediately ran back in a bought their own copies. Opened them and ... yeah, we learned what an etched record side meant. :)

Still have the record. Very cool to see the original board used for the autographs.