Take $5,000: Jazz legend Dave Brubeck’s stuff hits the auction block
Collectors will soon have the chance to own a piece of jazz history. Julien’s Auctions, which specializes in celebrity and music memorabilia sales, is hosting The Dave Brubeck Collection, a two-day auction of Dave Brubeck’s personal belongings.
Over a six-decade career, Brubeck appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1954 and was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. His 1959 album Time Out was the first jazz album in history to cross over a million sales. Additionally, “Take Five” is the biggest-selling jazz single of all time, and it was actually written by alto saxophonist Paul Desmond of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, not Dave Brubeck himself. Brubeck was best known for his odd time signatures, polyrhythms, polytonality and improvised counterpoint. He’s also performed for royalty, American presidents and more.
The auction runs September 17–18, 2026, in Los Angeles, with both in-person and online bidding available. The sale brings together more than 200 personal items from the Estate of Dave Brubeck. Registration is currently open through Julien’s Auctions.
What’s up for auction
Some of the standout lots from The Dave Brubeck Collection include:
- Original S. Neil Fujita “Time Out” Artwork with Framed Cover — Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
- Baldwin SD-10B Grand Piano (from Wilton, CT Home Studio) — Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
- 1950s Neumann U47 Tube Microphone (with Power Supply, Cables & Stand) — Estimate: $10,000–$20,000
- Circa 1960 “His and Hers” Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wristwatches — Estimate: $2,000–$3,000
- 1961 “Take Five” Grammy Nomination Plaque — Estimate: $600–$800
- Leonard Bernstein’s The Joy of Music (1st Edition, Gifted by Bernstein) — Estimate: $200–$300
Julien’s Auctions Sales Specialist Morgan Whoolsey said Brubeck’s place in jazz history and the tools and mementos from the creation of some of his most enduring works are some of the of the most interesting pieces from the collection.
“Lot 24 Dave Brubeck | 1950s Home Studio Used Neumann U47 Tube Microphone with Power Supply, Cables, and Stand, Lot 14 Dave Brubeck | 1947-1948 Handwritten Mills College Scores, and Lot 65 Baldwin SD-10B Grand Piano and Bench from Wilton, Connecticut Home Studio (With Magazine, Scores, and Records) were all used by Brubeck in his composing and recording,” Whoolsey said.
Take a look at some of the collection below.
Original S. Neil Fujita “Time Out” Artwork with Framed Cover
A striking example of mid-century modern design, this abstract geometric piece was created in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media on board and became the cover art for Brubeck’s landmark album Time Out. It’s signed “S. Neil Fujita” (Sadamitsu Neil Fujita) in the lower left, presented framed under glass, and comes paired with a framed copy of the finished album cover.
Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Baldwin SD-10B Grand Piano and Bench from Wilton, Connecticut Home Studio
This Baldwin SD-10B grand piano was the centerpiece of Dave Brubeck’s home studio in Wilton, Connecticut, where he composed much of his orchestral and classical output. Brubeck himself inscribed the frame: “My classical compositions and string quartet were composed at this piano, including choral and orchestral works / Dave Brubeck / Aug. 31, 2010.” The instrument was later featured in a 2019 Town & Country story that gave readers a rare look inside the Brubeck home. The lot also comes with a March 2006 issue of Vanity Fair containing Annie Leibovitz’s portrait of Brubeck at the piano, published alongside his answers to the magazine’s Proust Questionnaire.
Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
1950s Home Studio-Used Neumann U47 Tube Microphone
This early-1950s Neumann U47 long-body tube microphone comes complete with its original power supply, power cable, mic cable, and output cable. Brubeck used it in his home studio to record tracks for his 1956 album Brubeck Plays Brubeck, among them “In Your Own Sweet Way” and “The Duke.”
Estimate: $10,000–$20,000
Circa 1960 “His and Hers” Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wristwatches
A matched pair of Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches once owned by Dave and Iola Brubeck, dating to around 1960. The set pairs a stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Date with an 18k yellow gold Oyster Perpetual, and includes the original Rolex paperwork and case.
Estimate: $2,000–$3,000
Original 1954 Boris Artzybasheff Time Magazine Cover Art (with Magazine & Program)
This original surrealist gouache-and-watercolor portrait of Dave Brubeck by Boris Artzybasheff ran as a Time magazine cover and later inspired the artwork for Brubeck’s 1955 album Time. Still in its original frame, it carries a plaque reading “TIME / November 8, 1954 / By Boris Artzybasheff” and a “Nov 3 – 1955” stamp. The lot includes a copy of the original magazine issue plus programs from Time‘s 40th Anniversary celebration at the Waldorf-Astoria on May 6, 1963.
Estimate: $1,500–$2,000
2006 Annie Leibovitz Signed Portrait Photograph
A portrait of Dave Brubeck captured by Annie Leibovitz for the March 2006 issue of Vanity Fair, signed by the photographer in black marker beneath the image.
Estimate: $800–$1,200
1961 “Take Five” Grammy Nomination Plaque
Presented to Dave Brubeck by NARAS in recognition of his Record of the Year nomination for “Take Five” at the 4th Annual Grammy Awards.
Estimate: $600–$800
“To Hope!” Annotated Scores, Handwritten Manuscript & 1982 CINE Golden Eagle Certificate
A plaque presented to Dave Brubeck by NARAS marking his Record of the Year nomination for “Take Five” at the 4th Annual Grammy Awards.
Estimate: $600–$800
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