Update: Cobain-Tagged MELVAN Goes Unsold at $99,999.99, Second Auction Nets Zero Bids

On its first trip to the auction block, despite receiving 157 bids and several semi-serious pleas to the current owner to "not sell the van to Courtney Love,"  the "World Famous" Melvan, failed to meet its undisclosed reserve. Owner Ben Berg claims he was completely overwhelmed by the flurry of interest generated by the first auction, and wasn't able to properly respond to bidder and media inquiries, which may have restricted the bidding. So two days later, Berg relisted the van with the assistance of an "auction professional," this time with a starting price of $50,000 and no reserve. Not a single bid was placed. As you may remember, the Melvan served not only as a simple transportation vessel for stalwart Seattle scene fixtures such as the Melvins and Mudhoney, but also as a rolling canvas for numerous aspiring artists, including Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who penned the KISS mural on the van's exterior. Yesterday, during an interview on a Seattle radio station, Berg—who has owned the van since 1992—explained how he never wanted to sell the van, but is trapped in a deep financial crisis and sees it as his only way out. Berg currently is seeking a certificate of authenticity from the Experience Music Project in Seattle to provide the piece some official provenance, and may also be open to selling the van to organization. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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