Doug Irwin | Jerry Garcia Custom “Wolf”

For millions of passionate Grateful Dead fans, there is only one “Wolf”, Jerry Garcia’s legendary guitar. Customized by luthier Doug Irwin, and labeled “D. Irwin 001”, Wolf was delivered to Jerry and first appeared in a 1973 New York City performance the Grateful Dead gave for the Hell’s Angels. Over the following two decades, Wolf became almost as well known as the performer himself as it was played in countless concerts and on treasured recordings throughout Jerry’s fabled career.  Indeed, the 1977 film “The Grateful Dead Movie” directed by Jerry features extensive footage of the beloved musician onstage playing Wolf.

Years after the musician’s passing, Wolf returned to Doug and was sold in a 2002 Guernsey’s auction conducted at NYC’s electric Studio 54, where it fetched close to $1 million, more than doubling the then existing world record for any guitar ever sold. Now, Wolf’s buyer, wishing to support the important efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center and its continuing fight against racism and hate groups, has returned Wolf to Guernsey’s for an unprecedented one lot auction of this most treasured instrument. The proceeds of the winning high bid on this extraordinary guitar will go to SPLC. The Guernsey’s event, additionally supported by the Relix Group, will be held on May 31st following an evening of music played by a lineup of extraordinary musicians live at NYC’s fabulous Brooklyn Bowl. Absentee bidders will also be accommodated.

From San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom to NYC’s Palladium to Egypt’s Great Pyramids, Jerry and Wolf travelled, appearing in front of massive, passionate audiences. It is no wonder that the devoted Deadhead who purchased the Wolf in 2002 has said, “I’ve been a fan of The Dead since I was a kid, and playing this iconic guitar over the past 15 years has been a privilege. But the time is right for Wolf to do some good. My wife and I have long supported the efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and if ever we needed the SPLC, we sure do need them now.”

Rarely, if ever, has an item as memorable and noteworthy as Wolf been sold to benefit such a worthy cause. Guernsey’s is thrilled that the return of Wolf will go a long way to combat poverty, racism and injustice across the country. The auction of Wolf comes only days after Amazon’s upcoming release of the Martin Scorsese-produced documentary about Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, “Long Strange Trip.”