The Jim Irsay Collection - Chicago

Jim Irsay, owner & CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, is bringing items from The Jim Irsay Collection - a renowned assemblage of iconic artifacts from rock music, American history, and pop culture – to Chicago, August 2, 2022 at Aon Grand Ballroom - Navy Pier. The event will include a performance by The Jim Irsay Band - feat. Mike Mills (founding member, R.E.M.), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Wanchic and other musical guests.

The Collection is highlighted by musical instruments and items owned and used by some of the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, Elton John, The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, The Doors’ Jim Morrison, and other music icons, as well as autographed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historical music memorabilia. Outside of music, the collection includes signed Presidential artifacts, important original documents from American history like an original ‘Wanted’ poster for John Wilkes Booth, Jackie Robinson’s bat, Paul McCartney's original “Hey Jude” handwritten studio lyrics and other historical relics.

Irsay has toured the collection through a series of exclusive showings but debuts it for the first time in his native Chicago at this historic free event.

*Note: this is a free event but tickets are required. Capacity is limited and tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

AMERICAN HISTORY/FINE BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS

Typescript scroll, On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Original Draft Manuscript "Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book"

Retail copy of "The Book that started it all"

Jackie Robinson 1953 game-used bat.

Jackie Robinson 1953 Topps baseball card

1823 William Stone engraving, Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress First Declaration of Thanksgiving, 1777

George Washington autographed letter, signed

Thomas Jefferson autographed letter, signed

Abraham Lincoln presentation cane - "Lincoln Fence Cane"

Abraham Lincoln autographed letter, signed - Stay of Execution

Abraham Lincoln autographed letter, signed - Job recommendations to U.S. Postmaster General

National Union Ticket Campaign Poster - Pres. Lincoln/Johnson, framed

"The Murderer" Wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth. War Department, April 20, 1865

Hancock thank you note to Anthony Wayne, framed

John Hancock signed Lottery Ticket

Stetson hat intended to for JFK from Texas Gov. John Connally, with leather case

JFK Welcome Dinner Press ticket, 11/22/63, framed

JFK Cigar box with 101 half dollar coin

JFK White House rocking chair

"I Want You" poster, James Flagg, World War I

$10,000 Federal Reserve Note. Rare Fr. 2231-B. 1934 New York. PCGS Gem Ex-Binon New 65

$10,000 Federal Reserve Note (Bill) PMG 63EPQ 1934 Chicago.

$5,000 Federal Reserve Note. Fr. 2221-K 1934 Dallas

Theodore Roosevelt inscribed and signed photograph, 1917, framed

NASA 1st U.S. spacewalk Official Photos taken by James McDivitt (Gemini IV), framed

"Huckleberry Finn" First Edition, First printing book

"Tom Sawyer" First Edition, First printing book

"The Fun of It" by Amelia Earhart, signed

Susan B. Anthony 1905 photograph, framed

Susan B. Anthony signed letter, 5 pgs/3 lvs, framed

Ernest Hemingway letter from British West Indies

Abraham Lincoln pocket knife, presentation box, and letter - 1864 Philadelphia Sanitary Fair

MUSIC

Jim Morrison Paris Notebook

Jim Morrison Performance Microphone

Mic stand for Jim Morrison microphone

Bob Dylan's Working Lyrics for "The Times They Are A-Changin'"

Paul McCartney's Studio Lyrics for "Hey Jude"

John Lennon Sunglasses (with bust of Lennon's head)

Paul McCartney Affidavit filed to Break Up The Beatles

Bob Dylan Newport Folk Festival - poster

Bob Dylan Newport Folk Festival - program

The Beatles / Ringo Starr drum set, snare drum, and Ed Sullivan Show bass drum head

John Lennon Sgt Peppers Piano, c.1869 John Broadwood & Sons

Sir Elton John's Steinway & Sons Model D Grand Piano

Journey / Nightmare Inc. flight case for Neal Schon guitar

Pink Floyd / David Gilmour Custom Road Cas

John Coltrane's Alto Saxophone

Jimi Hendrix Moroccan chest

SELECTED GUITARS - TWO WALLS

1 1964 Gibson SG guitar (George Harrison/John Lennon)

2 1979 Doug Irwin "Tiger" guitar (Jerry Garcia)

3 1969 C.F. Martin & Co. D-35 guitar (David Gilmour - "Wish You Were Here")

4 1969 Fender Stratocaster guitar (David Gilmour - "The Black Strat")

5 1939 C.F. Martin & Co. Style 000-42 guitar (Eric Clapton - "MTV Unplugged")

6 1963 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 guitar (John Lennon)

7 1964 Rickenbacker 1996 guitar (John Lennon -> Ringo Starr)

8 1964 Fender Stratocaster guitar (Bob Dylan - "Dylan Goes Electric")

9 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Les Paul - "Black Beauty")

10 c.1995 Andy Beech Custom Cloud guitar (Prince - "Yellow Cloud")

11 1995 Epiphone Casino Reissue guitar (Steve Earle - with Steve Earle and the Dukes hardshell case)

12 2014 Hahn Model 229 "Strat" style guitar (Walter Becker of Steely Dan)

13 1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro-Deluxe guitar (Neal Schon / Journey - "Don’t Stop Believin')

14 2004 C.F. Martin D-100 Deluxe guitar (Mr. Irsay's playing guitar)

15 1963 Maton MS-500 Mastersound guitar (George Harrison)

16 1964 Gibson SG guitar (Pete Townshend)

17 2003 Fender Danny Gatton Telecaster guitar (Lou Reed - "Goldie")

18 1976 Gibson Explorer guitar (The Edge / U2)

19 1979 Yamaha BB-1200 bass guitar (Paul McCartney)

20 2002 DeArmond by Guild M-75T guitar (Jimmy Page)

21 NEWLY ACQUIRED > Kurt Cobain “Smells Like Teen Spirit” 1969 Fender Mustang (*A portion of the proceeds from this acquisition to benefit mental health awareness.)

POP CULTURE

Hunter S. Thompson's "Red Shark" 1973 Chevrolet Caprice automobile

Sylvester Stallone handwritten "Rocky" script

Sylvester Stallone "Rocky Balboa" training boxing shoes

Steve Jobs Apple II Manual - inscribed and signed by Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs Letter to Tim Brown, 2/23/1974, handwritten, signed

Muhammad Ali Fight worn shoes from the "Thrilla in Manila"

Sports Illustrated with "Thrilla in Manila" cover

Muhammad Ali weigh-in, walk-out robe with embroidered name

NEWLY ACQUIRED > Rare Major League baseball signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (*A portion of the proceeds from this acquisition to benefit Ukrainian relief efforts.)

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

The Jim Irsay Collection - Instagram

The Jim Irsay Collection - Facebook

The Jim Irsay Collection - Twitter

The Jim Irsay Collection - YouTube

The Jim Irsay Collection - Website

Event Venue

Aon Grand Ballroom - Navy Pier, 840 East Grand Ave., Chicago, United States