OMAHA, NE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – Proxibid an online Marketplace for buying and selling highly valued items, will provide online bidding for Donley Auction Services Inc.'s Grateful Dead Family Jubilee Auction. Deadheads will rejoice as they peruse original art, first production posters, band autographs and more in this sale. The live sale will take place Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 at Noon daily, with online bidding commencing at those times via Proxibid. Online bidding is available by visiting www.proxibid.com/greatamericanantiques.
This sale aligns with the band's recently announced three-show reunion tour this summer in Chicago. Fans can score merchandise just in time to see the four living original members hit the stage one final time. GD coveted items, include:
• Lot #200: "Skeleton and Roses" Hand Painted Original Silkscreen, Grateful Dead, 1966,
Stanley Mouse, Estimate: $66,000. The moment when Stanley Miller and Alton Kelley first saw the drawing of a skeleton and roses is one of the classic moments of Grateful Dead synchronicity. As Kelley said, "Look at this, Stanley. Is this the Grateful Dead or is this the Grateful Dead?" It was, as Gerry Garcia remarked, "Perfect." They took the image, added lettering and framework decoration, and had not only a Family Dog poster but also an image that would serve the Grateful Dead for the duration. This piece is Stanley's black and white variant from the ink test run on the plate. It was his and Kelley's pattern to keep two or three of these for themselves, a few of which they signed and later traded to one another. After 49 years in storage, Stanley decided this anniversary year would be a good time to hand paint his original silkscreen. Because it was painted only last fall, the colors are far sharper and more vibrant than the original. This original poster bears "The Bindweed Press San Francisco" credit in corner and is the one known in Eric King's poster guide. It was printed on vellum stock. The original print run as well as the second "OP-2" printing both bear "The Bindweed Press San Francisco" credits and are both printed on velum stock.
• Lot 626: First Original draft for "He's Gone!" Original drafting of "He's Gone!" With different lyrics… hot as a cracker… totally imperfect, totally priceless. A crowning gem of Grateful Dead history signed and drawn upon by the best lyricist in music today- and founder of Ice 9, Mr. Robert Hunter. Dimensions: 8.5" X11" three ring notebook paper from spiral notebook. With frame: 12.25" X 15".
• Lot 343: Mickey Hart's Drum Kit, Estimate: $40,000.00. Everyone in the family who has seen these drums over the years (and heard him pound away on them) agrees that Mickey went way over the top when he gifted this to a 9-year boy for his birthday. Pearls come with the following: 1 Pearl blue sparkle bass drum – no pedal included or available, 1 Pearl blue sparkle floor tom, 2 Pearl blue sparkle toms, 1 high hat with double cymbals, and 1 cool custom curved adjustable tom rack.
• Lot 650: "Without a Net" Tiger oil painting. Framed in Doug Irwin tiger quilted maple wood hand signed by Rick Griffin, Estimate: $125,000. "Leaping Tiger" – Rick Griffin 1990 Grateful Dead European Tour original oil painting. This is one of the original four individual circus themed paintings Rick created for this tour. It is framed in quilted maple purchased from Doug Irwin that was also used to create Jerry Garcia's "Wolf" guitar. Dimensions: 22" X 17" – Framed: 29" X 24".
"Fans from all generations know The Grateful Dead – they are one of the most iconic bands of all time," said Randy Donley, owner of Donley Auction Services Inc. "Buyers will be bidding on items rich with rock and roll history. If they can't rock out with us at the sale in Illinois, they can be sure to find what they're looking for on Proxibid." –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
