Folk hero and professional miserabilist Leonard Cohen recently released an acclaimed DVD film entitled 'Bird on a Wire', composed of tour footage from 1972.  But the source of this was 294 reels of dilapidated film - which are now on sale.

The reels, which re-emerged after 40 years in the wilderness, contain a variety of unique and personal highlights from Cohen's life and career, including home videos and original concert recordings.

Cohen has spent 50 years at the top of the music business as an acclaimed poet and songwriter.  Critically lauded for songs including 'Suzanne' and 'Sisters of Mercy', Cohen also penned the classic 'Hallelujah' - which had a much publicised return to the charts in 2009 when it was covered by X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke.

The original 'Bird on a Wire' film, produced by Marty Machat, was released in 1974 but disappeared shortly afterwards.  It wasn't until 2009 that Machat's son, Steve, discovered the original reels lying in a Hollywood warehouse.

Heavily rusted, Machat in fact had to hammer some of the reels open.  Machat initially thought that little could be salvaged, but after much work, the film was restored and released last year.  The unique reels, many of which are still playable, are now on offer to collectors and investors.

These wonderful pieces of memorabilia are available through the Leonard Cohen Café, which has priced them at £305,000 - $490,000 - for all 294 reels. 

For a Cohen fan or any music memorabilia investor, these reels will make a great investment and act as a testament to a leading artist at the height of his powers - much like this rare Cohen autograph that we sold in 2009.