Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead come to life on auction block in Union, Illinois

UNION, Ill. (WLS) -- Jerry Garcia played his last concert with the Grateful Dead 20 years ago right here in Chicago. He died one month later, but now, the Dead are coming to life for a giant auction in Union, Illinois.

They had hits with names like "Scarlet Begonias", "A Touch of Gray" and "China Cat Sunflower". Since 1965, they have rocked and romanced pop and pot music lovers everywhere. This weekend, at Donley Auction Services in Union, Illinois, Jerry Garcia and the Dead go on the auction block.

"We have an auction, Frank, of the Grateful Dead memorabilia and Jerry Garcia memorabilia that's the largest collection ever assembled of this type of item. (How many pieces?) Over 700," said Randy Donley, owner of Donley Auction Services.

Over 400 posters - many of them signed by artists or band members - and almost all of them designed to promote concerts. Jerry Garcia's comfort chair - the one he thought in, omposed in and probably dozed in - is on the block, too.

You're probably wondering, what is all this stuff doing in Union, Illinois?

"It all comes from Northern California from friends, family, former employees and some of the things from Jerry himself. (And it's just time?) It's time. With the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, some of us put this together a year ago and thought this would be a good time to share this with the world," said Lisa Purze, Jerry Garcia's old friend.

Some of the profits will go to Jerry's former employers and some will go to a charity aiding teens with autism.

It will be an auction with incredible variety. Consequently the prices will range from a few bucks to psychodelic.

"The prices in this auction will range from $25 all the way up to a $1.5 million. This piece here will start at $420,000. This poster here is designed by Stanley Mouse, a world renowned poster artist in 1966. This is an extremely rare piece," said Susan Donley, owner of Donley Auction Services.

And don't forget Lot #687: Jerry Garcia's t-shirt from his last concert 20 years ago at Soldier Field.