A treasure trove of items belonging to late NBA legend and noted Deadhead Bill Walton is up for auction, including the “Father Time” costumes he wore at various New Year’s Eve concerts over the past 25 years.
Among the auction items are priceless artifacts from Walton’s prodigious basketball career, including his first basketball hoop rim (with a chunk of the backboard still attached), his 1970 Helix High School class athletic ring, NCAA Championship rings, and 1972 MVP award, NBA uniforms, sneakers, and more.
The auction also features a wide array of music memorabilia, including a guitar signed by the band Chicago, autographs from Fleetwood Mac, and a book personally inscribed by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. But the bulk of Walton’s music collection reflects his reputation as “the greatest fan in the history of the Grateful Dead.”
Related: Members Of Grateful Dead, Dead & Company, More Share Tributes To Bill Walton
The collection’s crown jewels may be the “Father Time” costumes worn by Walton at Dead New Year’s Eve shows in 2000, 2009, 2015, and 2020—an annual tradition that underscored his larger-than-life presence in the Deadhead community—but the auction also includes original artwork signed by Mickey Hart, several hand drums, Jerry Garcia neckties, collections of tickets, tour books, and backstage passes, and a whole lot more.
Some of the items are rare, one-of-a-kind pieces, like his custom Grateful Dead-themed road bicycles, while others are standard merch items personally owned by Walton, including three pairs of the Grateful Dead Nike Dunks, in size 17.
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit a Walton Family charity. Online pre-bidding is open now until Wednesday, June 11th at 10 p.m. ET via Hunt Auctions, ahead of the live auction on Thursday June 12th at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here for more information and to place your bid.
View this post on Instagram