The buyer of a three-page letter penned by AC/DC frontman Bon Scott in 1978 has been revealed as the West Australian government, which paid almost $14,000 for the "dynamite acquisition".
In the letter to his childhood friend Valerie Lary while the hard rock band was on its 'Powerage' tour in Pittsburgh, USA, the then-Fremantle resident wrote about the challenges of recording a live album and the gruelling tour schedule.
"I'm beggining (sic) to feel & look just a little haggard," Scott wrote.
"I'd love to check myself in to a sanitarium for a month but after this tour it's straight to Europe & England for a month & then back here for the winter-end of the year so the next time you see me it might be in a geriatric ward."
He said the band was "selling lots of records & making people happy" but he still had money troubles.
"I had to stop making phone calls when I got too much in the red," Scott wrote.
"I'm already about $130 into this weeks wages but about two weeks ago I owed the band about $70 on pay day & that's crazy.
"But being crazy is about the only way to keep my sanity if you know what I mean."
Scott partly blamed his boozy ways for not contacting Lary sooner.
"I know I'm pretty slack when it comes to letters & phone calls but I'm always travelling or drunk or hungover ... today I'm shaking so much I can hardly write but I have been meaning to write you for weeks so today I'm doing it."
Scott also touched on drummer Phil Rudd, who'd had "a bit of a nervous breakdown ... but he's ok now".
The letter was sold through Los Angeles-based Nate D. Sanders Auctions in January for $US9,831.25 ($13,811).
It's on display in the WA State Library until next month and joins a sizeable Bon Scott and AC/DC heritage collection.
Arts Minister David Templeman described the letter as a "dynamite acquisition".
"This unique document is a one-of-a-kind treasure and a rare insight into the life of one of WA's most celebrated music legends," Mr Templeman said.
Scott died in London in 1980 from alcohol poisoning, aged 33, and is buried at Fremantle Cemetery.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board says the funeral was conducted in secret.
"Each Christmas Bon would return to visit his parents, Chick and Isa Scott, at Spearwood to recuperate," the board writes on its website.
"The last time - in 1979 - it was apparent his health was suffering."
Australian Associated Press
