Jerry's toilets???

[kc]

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 (SF Chronicle)

TIBURON/Jerry Garcia's toilet could be yours/Headed for eBay to benefit

nonprofit Sophia Foundation

Steve Rubenstein, Chronicle Staff Writer

Jerry Garcia owned three toilets, and the world is about to get the

chance

to buy them. They are not cheap toilets, however -- not even the

cracked

one that leaks.

"The bidding on the toilets starts at $500," said Henry Koltys, the

Tiburon man who owns them. "There's a bidet, too, at $350. And Jerry's

Jacuzzi tub starts at $5,000."

Koltys is the fellow who bought Garcia's mansion in Nicasio in 1997.

Garcia, lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead rock band who died in 1995,

lived in the house in the early 1990s, when he presumably utilized the

toilets and the Jacuzzi and made whatever use of a bidet as a fellow of

his creativity might.

The bathroom fixtures were in storage for years until Koltys, who is

trying to raise money for a foundation that helps children from broken

homes, realized that Garcia's three toilets just might be worth more at

an

auction than three ordinary used toilets.

Each toilet comes with a certificate of authenticity. That artfully

crafted document, however, states only that the toilet came from

Garcia's

house.

"I can't represent that Jerry Garcia actually used the toilets,"

Koltys

said.

"But he lived in the house. He was human. I'm not clairvoyant, but

you can

make reasonable assumptions," Koltys added.

The toilets, bidet and Jacuzzi are the highlights among dozens of

items

being offered by Koltys, who hopes to raise $75,000 for the Sophia

Foundation. The toilets may even be tax deductible, according to the

foundation's attorney, Charles Cardall, an expert in such matters.

"If you pay more for the toilet than a used toilet is worth, I think

the

extra amount is tax deductible," the lawyer said. "The IRS is

unfathomable, however. If you get audited, I will not be there."

Also for sale are Garcia's stove top, Garcia's dishwasher, Garcia's

carriage lamps and Garcia's kitchen drawer handles. The drawer handles

start at $100 apiece. The lucky buyer, Koltys said, will be able to

open a

drawer by pulling on the same kitchen drawer handle that Garcia once

pulled on when he wanted to open the drawer.

All the items can be viewed online at the foundation's Web site,

www.sophia-foundation.org. Bidding, via eBay, runs from Dec. 18 to 24,

which means that a lucky buyer could take delivery of a Jerry Garcia

toilet in time for Christmas.

Koltys is cautioning prospective buyers that one of the toilets --

the

tan-colored one from Garcia's guest room -- has a crack in the tank and

cannot be used for the purpose that Garcia presumably used it, at least

without making a considerable mess.

"I'm not sure everyone would want to use it," Koltys said.

"Remember, Jerry Garcia sat here. Maybe it would be better to use it

as a

planter in the backyard," Koltys added.

E-mail Steve Rubenstein at srubenstein@sfchronicle.com.

[Lazlo]

I'll but one if there's some crusty leftovers on the seat or a mouldy floater.

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

They are not cheap toilets, however -- not even the cracked one that leaks.

Now that is absolutely priceless.