Berry, Chuck; Grateful Dead; Johnny Talbot and De Thangs; Graham, Bill; Wilson, Wes

Original Concert Poster: Chuck Berry, Grateful Dead, Johnny Talbot and De Thangs (March 17-19, 1967)

San Francisco, CA: 1967. First Edition. Single Sheet. A poster (appx. 13&2/3" x 20&1/2") announcing a concert by the legendary impresario Bill Graham (1931-1991), headlined by Chuck Berry, along with the Grateful Dead & Johnny Talbot and De Thangs, during March 17-19, 1967 at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. The acclaimed American artist Wes Wilson (1937-2020) created the graphics & artwork reproduced here, & "Wes Wilson (c) 1967 (three dots) 55 (") in facsimile hand-lettering & numbering is found just outside image at lower right margin near edge (see image). According to the Talmudic scholarship we have consulted regarding this poster (which is similar in its depth to that of our underground comix from this period), this copy is an original first printing, with printer's credit ("Printed by West Coast Lithograph Co. (three dots) S.F.") right after the artist/producer/series number credit quoted above, also in facsimile hand-lettering. King, BG-55-OP-1, pg. 391. King writes: "One of the images which seems to have held great interest for psychedelic artists is that of a beautiful nude woman holding a large snake. Most of the uses of this image were copies from a painting entitled Die Suende (Sin) by Franz Stuck who worked in Vienna at the beginning of the 20th century. Here Wes (Wilson) has created his own version which is as good as anything Stuck did." (pgs. 391-392) See our item No. 5167 which has a direct reproduction of Stuck's (1863-1928) version, Wilson's here is indeed quite uniquely his own interpretation of Stuck's concept. A hypnotic masterpiece of the psychedelic style that was coming to full fruition & would soon culminate later that year during the "Summer of Love," in its very rarest contemporary form. From the collection of Dion Wright (b. 1937), a highly respected & prolific artiste & sculptor who was at the center of the scene that produced this & the many other iconic posters that symbolize a fabled time & place (see Wright's memoir, Tempus Fugitive, item No. 5008). In our alert & seasoned estimation, this poster is in relatively very fine condition with only a touch of wear at edges, corners & a few small, faint creases thereon & onto blank margins; mild, sparse spotting at lower margin esp. near right corner. The slightly mottled quality of the lighter olive color at margins & image appears to be as produced, & King notes in this entry that "There is substantial variation in the background olive green from quite dark to medium in this press run." (pg. 391) Nevertheless, the central image is substantially mint as issued. 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 #5567]

Price: $1,200.00 save 10% $1,080.00