Kurt Cobain's MTV Unplugged cardigan sells for $334,000

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain wearing the cardigan during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 (Image credit: Frank Micelotta - Getty)

The green cardigan worn by Kurt Cobain for Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance has sold at auction for $334,000.

The sale was conducted over the weekend by Julien’s Auctions at New York’s Hard Rock Cafe at Times Square, with the garment breaking the record for the most expensive sweater ever sold.

It’s not the first time the cardigan has been up for auction, with Julien’s selling the item back in 2015 for $140,800.

The auction house originally described the “vintage green cardigan” as “a blend of acrylic, mohair and Lycra with five-button closure – one button absent – with two exterior pockets, a burn hole and discolouration near left pocket and discolouration on right pocket.”

Nirvana recorded the MTV Unplugged album in New York in November 1993 and it was released in November 1994 following Cobain’s death on April 8, 1994.

In May this year, a paper plate that Kurt Cobain once ate pizza from sold for an astonishing $22,400. The plate dated back to April 23, 1990, and includes Nirvana’s setlist from the 9:30 nightclub in Washington, which was handwritten by Cobain.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.