© Ron Rakow / Retro Photo Archive

Julien’s Auctions has announced a new lot of historic items sure to get Deadheads talking. On April 22, an expansive offering of items will be up for bid, giving fans of the Grateful Dead a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to procure band heirlooms and on-the-road rarities, currently in the possession of “Big Steve” Parish, “Ram Rod,” and Trixie Garcia. Dubbed Treasures From The Golden Road, the sale features more than 300 items, ranging from seminal instruments to personal keepsakes. 

According to press release, “The sale features over 300 lots of stage-played and tour-battered gear and instruments, backstage passes and tickets, handwritten set lists and lyrics, Jerry’s original artwork and rehearsal materials, artwork by Alton Kelley, George Mead, and Stanley Mouse, iconic photos and correspondence (from Bill Graham, Ken Kesey, and others), gifts from every day and celebrity fans, vintage t-shirts, and more.”

Amongst the most sought-after auction highlights are Jerry Garcia’s 1939 Gibson Super 400N Archtop Guitar, used on his 1990s era projects with David “Dawg” Grisman, like Not For Kids Only and Been All Around This World. Also included is his custom-built 1988 #0001 Alvarez Yairi DY 74CJG, an early precursor to the GY‑1 signature model, with Garcia’s own sticker and case marked “JG #6.”

Beyond historic axes, Garcia’s personalized Madison Square Garden Tie‑Dye Director’s Chair commemorates 40 Grateful Dead performances at the Big Apple venue, complete with band stats. His Dusty Strings FH‑26 Lap Harp, handmade in 1988, 1988 Dobro Model 64 “Tree of Life” Resonator, in addition to effect pedals, and speaker cabinets are also included. 

Moreover, a feature of the auction flexes Garcia’s visually artistic side via the availability of his Small Black Pastel Sketchbook, described as, “Spiral sketchbook with six colorful pastel drawings and line sketches by Jerry, showing his visual imagination. An intimate, hand‑scale piece of his art practice, remembered by Trixie as part of a house full of sketchbooks.” Original airbrush artwork from the 1980s will also be up for bid. 

“These items represent fifty years of memories and experiences with the Grateful Dead — from the early days to the final shows in Chicago. Each piece tells a story of the music, the journey, and the community that made it all possible,” Parish comments. “Being part of that community for all these years has meant everything to me, and I’m proud to continue representing what the Grateful Dead stood for. Now is the time to share these with the fans and collectors who understand what they mean. I’m genuinely excited to give people the opportunity to own the things that have meant so much to me over the decades. The Grateful Dead changed the world, and I’m honored to pass these artifacts on to people who will cherish them the way I have.” 

For those interested in bidding, registration is required and can be completed in person on the day of the auction or online before the sale begins. The auction begins Wednesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. PT. 

Register and bid here.

Scroll down for an extended preview of Treasures From The Golden Road.

Highlights include:

Jerry Garcia | 1939 Gibson Super 400N Archtop Guitar

Jerry’s studio‑ and video‑played pre‑war Gibson Super 400N, used with David Grisman on projects including Not For Kids Only and Been All Around This World. Historically significant, heavily documented instrument coming directly from Trixie Garcia.

Est: $80,000–120,000

Jerry Garcia | 1988 #0001 Alvarez Yairi DY 74CJG (Custom for Jerry)

Custom Alvarez‑Yairi acoustic labeled “Custom Made For J. Garcia,” serial #0001, and the very guitar featured in a 1990 Alvarez ad. Early precursor to the GY‑1 signature model, with Jerry’s own sticker and case marked “JG #6.”

Est: $70,000–100,000

Jerry Garcia | Personalized Madison Square Garden Tie‑Dye Director’s Chair

Personalized tie‑dye director’s chair commemorating 40 Grateful Dead performances at Madison Square Garden, printed with Jerry’s name and show stats. Est: $2,000–4,000

Jerry Garcia | 1975 Mesa Boogie Mark I Combo Amplifier

Stage‑used Mesa Boogie Mark I from Jerry’s 1975–76 live rig, later kept in his living room “always at the ready.” Appears in a period Mesa ad with Jerry and Bob Weir, with the ad included. Est: $30,000–50,000

Jerry Garcia | Dusty Strings FH‑26 Lap Harp

Hand‑crafted 1988 lap harp owned and played by Garcia, highlighting his multi‑instrumental side beyond guitar. Cherry‑like construction, 26 strings, and signed interior label, complete with case. Est: $20,000–30,000

Jerry Garcia | 1988 Dobro Model 64 “Tree of Life” Resonator

Square‑neck Walnut Dobro with ornate Tree of Life inlay. Owned and played by Jerry and coming from Trixie Garcia. Est: $25,000–30,000

Grateful Dead | McIntosh 2300 Power Amp with “Ketchup” Case

Wall of Sound McIntosh 2300 power amp in its red “Ketchup” road case, used primarily for low frequencies per Big Steve. Covered in period Dead stickers and tour wear.

Est: $4,000–6,000

Jerry Garcia | Musitronics Mu‑Tron III Effect Pedal

Heavily used vintage Mu‑Tron III auto‑wah pedal, Jerry’s oldest example, crucial to tones on “Estimated Prophet,” “Shakedown Street,” and more. Worn, rusty, and battle‑scarred, with original power supply. Est: $2,000–4,000

Jerry Garcia | Mu‑Tron Bi‑Phase Effect Pedal

Classic Mu‑Tron Bi‑Phase phaser used by both Jerry and Bob Weir, representing an era‑defining phase sound. Non-functional but historically important, with dual phasor architecture and original power cable. Est: $2,000–4,000

Jerry Garcia | Fender Fuzz‑Wah Pedal (Chrome)

Chrome Fender Fuzz‑Wah bought by Jerry in 1968 for use with pedal steel, combining wah and fuzz in one treadle. Early‑era effects piece directly tied to Garcia’s experimentation. Est: $2,000–4,000

Jerry Garcia | Personalized Louisville Slugger Bat

Baseball bat custom‑inscribed for Jerry, reflecting the band’s deep baseball connection and appearances at Giants games. Est: $800–1,200

Grateful Dead | Hard Truckers 15″ Speaker Cabinet

Road‑used Hard Truckers cabinet from the Dead’s live sound system, built by crew including Big Steve and Joe Winslow. Est: $1,000–2,000

Grateful Dead | Winterland “The Grateful Dead” Dressing Room Plaque

Original Winterland dressing room plaque with Garcia’s image in the lettering, gifted to Steve Parish by Bill Graham. Est: $600–800

Grateful Dead | McIntosh 2300 Case “Mustard”

Empty yellow ‘Wall of Sound’ road case, nicknamed “Mustard,” heavily toured and marked with freight labels and case numbers. Est: $800–1,200

Grateful Dead | RIAA Platinum Award for Workingman’s Dead

Platinum RIAA award presented to roadie Ram Rod for one million copies sold of the band’s landmark Americana pivot album. Est: $600-800

Jerry Garcia Band | Jerry’s Working Songbook

Jerry’s c. 1990s working binder of lead sheets and lyrics for Jerry Garcia Band repertoire. A direct window into his working process and set‑building mindset.

Est: $800–1200

Jerry Garcia | Small Black Pastel Sketchbook

Spiral sketchbook with six colorful pastel drawings and line sketches by Jerry, showing his visual imagination. An intimate, hand‑scale piece of his art practice, remembered by Trixie as part of a house full of sketchbooks. Est: $700–900

Jerry Garcia | Original Airbrush Artwork

Original airbrush piece of a blurry face, described in depth by Mountain Girl as part of Jerry’s mid‑’80s airbrush period. Stored carefully since the late ’80s, it reflects his playful, experimental visual style. Est: $700–900

Bill Graham | 1981 Telegrams to All Band Members

Set of five humorous 1981 telegrams from Bill Graham to each band member, full of his trademark wit and wild “excuse” scenarios.   Est: $600–800