Grateful Dead Guitar Auctioned

Jerry Garcia's Travis Bean TB500 goes for $238,700   09-Dec-13

Julien's Auctions have sent us details of the outcome of their Icons & Idols: Rock n' Roll auction. Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien's Auctions, told us, "Our two-day Icons & Idols: Rock n' Roll auction event this weekend had all the traits of a sold out rock concert attended by die-hard fans. We had bidders from around the world bid aggressively for some of the world's most iconic rock memorabilia including items from Madonna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones and so much more. It was one memorable weekend at Julien's Auctions."

Here's the company's press statement:

Julien's Auctions, the world's premiere music and entertainment memorabilia auction house, concluded the highly anticipated two-day Icons & Idols: Rock n' Roll auction event this weekend with collectors from around the world bidding high and bidding often against each other by phone, online and on-site in the hope of winning a piece of a memorabilia collection befitting of rock royalty. Over 850 items chronicling the history of rock n' roll from Elvis Presley to Lady Gaga were offered in the sale which took place at the Julien's Auctions Beverly Hills gallery Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th.

It wasn't any surprise that two of the most sought after guitars of rock history brought in high bids. The Jerry Garcia Travis Bean TB500 Electric guitar played by Garcia on stage and in recording sessions sold for $238,700 and a Sir Paul McCartney Presentation Bass , a Hofner left-handed violin bass custom made for McCartney in 1964 sold for $201, 800.

Memorabilia befit for a King was also offered --- The King Elvis Presley and the King of Pop Michael Jackson, that is. Elvis Presley's White 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine outfitted with a plaque that read "Custom made for Elvis Presley 70th Anniversary Edition" sold for $96,000, Presley's one pair of Blue Suede shoes from Memphis Mafia member Joe Esposito sold for $76,800 and an Elvis Presley 1960s stage worn Black Satin shirt sold for $20.480. The King of Pop, Michael Jackson's jacket worn on the December 1997 issue of LIFE Magazine sold for $64,000, a red lame jacket worn by Michael Jackson during the Jackson's Victory Tour sold for $83,200 and a Michael Jackson wool trench coat sold for $20,480.

There isn't any other musical icon associated with the world of early rock as widely as the legendary Jimi Hendrix. The iconic images of Hendrix on stage in his trademark embroidered vest are as vivid today as they were in the 1960s. The legendary rock icon's own stage worn embroidered vest sold for $53,125.

The personal journey of controversial Guns 'n' Roses front man Axl Rose has been described as tumultuous at best. The man famously known for "Welcome to the Jungle" married Erin Everly who was the inspiration for the hit song "Sweet Child O' Mine." Everly offered a collection of memorabilia never before seen with highlights of the sale like the Guns n' Roses American Music Award which sold for $24,320 and Axl Rose's "Welcome to the Jungle" video worn shirt which sold for $12,800.

More information:

• Julien's Auctions