https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/jerry-garcia-tiger-guitar-sells-for-11-5-million-at-auction/
Christies declined Live For Live Musics request to confirm the identity of the buyer, but a video circulating on social media appears to show Bobby Tseitlin of Timeless Gem and Family Guitars was the winning bidder. In the video, guitarist Derek Trucks can be seen seated beside him, congratulating him as the hammer fell. Tseitlin and Family Guitars did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The purchase has been met with relief among Deadheads who had hoped Tiger would land with a buyer willing to let it be played rather than locked away. Family Guitars, whose collection includes instruments connected to artists like Jeff Beck, Dickey Betts, Randy Rhoads, Trey Anastasio, Kirk Hammett, Chuck Berry, Frank Zappa, and Mike Bloomfield, describes itself as a living collection of guitars that continue to be played, heard, and experienced the way they were meant to be. They already steward other instruments with Grateful Dead connections, including Garcias 1976 Travis Bean TB500 #11 and Bob Weirs 1983 Modulus Blackknife No Fun guitar.
https://www.jambase.com/article/jerry-garcia-tiger-auction-record-sale-2026
The new owner of Tiger has not been publicly announced as of press time. However, videos from the sale show Bobby Tseitlin of Family Guitars celebrating the purchase with Derek Trucks. The Tedeschi Trucks Band guitarist was at the auction to support his friend as per Alan Paul.