Art News

Original works by Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead guitars up for auction at Bonhams

SAN FRANCISCO.- Nearly 17 years after the passing of Grateful Dead lead guitarist, singer and songwriter Jerry Garcia, worldwide auction house Bonhams will present its Visions of Garcia auction, May 8 (the 35th anniversary of the famous 5-8-77 Cornell show) in San Francisco, the band’s home town. The highly anticipated auction, also simulcast in New York, will offer one-of-a-kind memorabilia, including original and rare works by Garcia and guitars designed specially for him. Gracing the auction will be items including Mood River, one of only five known original oil paintings by Garcia, circa 1959. Given to his brother as a gift many years ago, the painting depicts a blue-yellow sky, pink hills and multi-colored terrain (est. $100,000-$150,000). Other highlighted works of art will include a set of airbrush originals, circa 1985, of Alien Craft & Brain by Garcia