A NEW release of Bob Dylan art prints could provide a recession-busting investment for art and music fans, says Scots gallery owner Bob Corsie.
Since the first tranche of Dylan's Drawn Blank Series was launched less than a year ago the collection has shown considerable return on investment potential, with one piece almost doubling in value.
Dylan, 68, has been painting and drawing for four decades and his works have often been used on his album covers.
Mr Corsie, owner of Breeze art gallery at Jenners Loch Lomond Shores, said the next release of limited edition prints tomorrow was likely to prove just as collectable for investment purposes.
Mr Corsie said: "The 29 pieces in the original Drawn Blank release have all been sound investments for their owners and I expect the new releases to do just as well.
"The bigger, more iconic pieces, such as the Train Tracks portfolio, retailed at just under £5000 when first released last June and are now fetching prices of between £8500 and £9000.
"Some people like Dylan's music, some his poetry and others his art.
"While it may not be to everyone's taste it is a very good investment."
The new limited edition collection of the Drawn Blank Series contains eight individually signed prints, a selection of which will be on display in Jenners from this weekend.
With only 295 sets available for sale in Europe, prices will range from £1250 for an individual print to £9250 for a complete boxed set of eight, and it is expected there will be a huge interest from both Dylan fans and investors.
Mr Corsie, who operates two other Breeze galleries in Peebles and at Jenners in Edinburgh, said in a recession more people were turning to art as a source of potentially attractive returns than more orthodox investments.
He added: "In a recession, when people have been let down and are less trusting of traditional investment routes, they are looking at new ways of investing their hard earned cash.
"Dylan's art is proving to be a real draw, which offers a tangible and enjoyable way of investing while offering a very good return."
Breeze is holding a special event at all three gallery locations tomorrow to launch the new Dylan prints, starting at 10am to the background of classic Dylan soundtracks.
For more information visit www.breezegallery.co.uk to register your interest or to book your place at the launch event.
