Jefferson Airplane; Great Society; Ham, Bill; Kelley, Alton; Mouse, Stanley; Stuck, Franz

Original Concert Poster: Jefferson Airplane, Great Society ("Snake Lady," July 22-23, 1966)

San Francisco, CA: Family Dog Productions, 1966. First Edition, Third Printing (Fourth Version). Single Sheet. A poster (appx. 13&7/8" x 20") announcing a concert with performances headlined by Jefferson Airplane, along with Great Society, during July 22-23, 1966 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. The acclaimed American artist Stanley Mouse (b. Stanley George Miller, 1940) created the artwork & graphics reproduced here, in collaboration with the iconic American poster & album cover artist Alton Kelley (1940-2008, known as "Kelley"), working together as "Mouse Studios!," & "Poster Design: Mouse Studios!" in facsimile hand-lettering is found just inside purple border of image near lower left corner, below "Sutter at Van Ness" (see image). Also credited for "Lights" is Bill Ham, among the foremost pioneers of the psychedelic light shows so exemplary of these early "acid rock" happenings, & who like Mouse is still active as of this writing. According to the Talmudic scholarship we have studied regarding this poster (which is similar in its depth to our underground comix from this period, & particularly granular here), this copy is a third printing/ fourth version (the original print was concurrently produced using gold & silver inks), with "17-3" & "1966 (c) Family Dog Productions 639 Gough St., San Francisco, Calif. 94102" printed at otherwise blank white lower margin; omission of printer's credit; & florescence of image under black light (as we have confirmed ourselves, the florescence of this copy is still quite rich). King, FD-17-RP-4, pg. 61. King Notes: "This poster is purple, silver or gold, or shades between silver and gold in a white frame. The central image is a photographic reproduction of the painting Die Suende (Sin) by Franz (von) Stuck...The interesting background pattern was achieved by spray painting through a lace doily." (pg. 62). Franz von Stuck (1863-1928), the canonical German artist, was known to be a favorite of Adolf Hitler, as was Richard Wagner in music (both similar in their overwrought, dramatic mythology-inspired works). This image, dubbed "Snake Lady" by King, is among his most famous images. An especially much-reproduced, popular & significant relic of the early psychedelic era that would come into full bloom the next year during the "Summer of Love," in its third-fourth rarest (& singularly special) contemporary form. From the collection of Dion Wright (b. 1937), a most respected & prolific artiste & sculptor who was at the center of the scene that produced this & the many other exemplary posters that symbolize a legendary time & place. In our eagle-eyed & seasoned estimation, this poster is in relatively very fine condition with light rubbing, mild-to-moderate browning & occasional spotting mostly to blank white margins/ edges (with image all-but-pristine); a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps, faint creases at edges & corners. This item is too delicate to be rolled & must be shipped flat to assure no damage, therefore extra shipping costs will be required. Very Fine. [Item #5167]

Price: $125.00