Description

Bands/acts: Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead
Venue: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Date: August 12-13, 1966
Artist: Wes Wilson
Promoter: Bill Graham
Series Number: BG-23
Printing: 2nd Print
Size: 13 7/8″ x 21 1/8″
Condition: NM

This is a Near Mint 2nd printing of a famous 1966 poster by Wes Wilson featuring the classic pairing of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, at the Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic images of the early psychedelic rock scene. Originals sell in the $3,000 to $5,000 USD range. This 2nd printing was done in 1967, less than a year after the original concerts.

There has been confusion over the various printings of this poster. Eric King, the recognized expert on the posters that came out of San Francisco, explains in his guide that what was originally thought to be the 2nd printing (with NO artist credit) is in fact the third printing, done in 1974 in a print run of 5,000 copies.  To avoid confusion, he left the designations (series number) as is. Not sure this does what it was meant to do, but the poster offered here includes the “Wes Wilson” credit (under “Aug 13”), and is therefore, in chronological order, the actual 2nd printing (done in 1967), despite carrying an official “RP-3” designation.

Condition on this piece is near mint, with excellent color, no creases, just a very light touch to the corner tips, which is common on the full color borders. A perfect poster to frame and display!

*click on images to view hi-rez