Blue Cheer; Michaels, Lee; Chenier, Clifton; Moscoso, Victor; Hillyard, Roger; van Meter, Ben

Original Concert Poster: Blue Cheer, Lee Michaels, Clifton Chenier (October 6-8, 1967)

San Francisco, CA: Family Dog Productions, 1967. First Edition. Single Sheet. A poster (appx. 14" x 20") announcing a series of concerts headlined by Blue Cheer, along with Lee Michaels & Clifton Chenier (1925-1987, the pioneering "King of Zydeco" musician), during October 6-8, 1967 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. The great Spanish-American artist Victor Moscoso (b. 1936) created the artwork & graphics reproduced here, & "Moscoso" in green-colored facsimile cursive handwriting is found just above thin green image border at lower right black background near lower right edge (see image). Credited for lights (above illustration of a light bulb at one of the flower-blossom texts) is the "North American/ Ibis (Alchemical Company)," a memorably named incarnation of Roger Hillyard, Ben van Meter & their associates. Hillyard (b. 1942) was highly involved with the exemplary psychedelic light shows of this era, later became the proprietor of a popular coffee shop, & most recently the practicing resident of a Zen Buddhist center- all in San Francisco. Van Meter (b. 1941) was also a major light show producer & experimental filmmaker at this time, & still engages in cutting-edge creativity as of this writing. According to the Talmudic scholarship we have consulted regarding this poster, it is a first printing, distinguished by the bright red-colored background of the lower portion as opposed to lavender in the second printing, as well as other points (see quote below). King, FD-86-OP-1, pg. 152. King writes: "The central image is a psychedelic version of a vase of flowers with the lettering formed from the blossoms. Throughout the history of Western art almost all the great artists have created still lifes of vases of flowers, and with all his classical training it is not surprising that Victor Moscoso would have created his own version of a vase of flowers as an homage to the great artists who came before him and inspired him. On the reprint the dark blue of the vase was changed to pink, and the red surface on which the vase sits also was changed to pink (or "lavender" as King notes in his entry above). The ticket outlets strip which was yellow on the original was changed to white on the reprint. It is unclear whether the elimination of the yellow and dark blue press runs was an economy measure by the printer, but it did create a less interesting poster, and those interested in this image with the intention of framing it and hanging it for decor, should seek out the original printing even though it will be more expensive." We emphatically agree! King appropriately entitled this poster "Flower Pot." A beautiful & exuberant Moscoso Masterpiece from the autumn immediately following the "Summer of Love," in its rarest & most attractive contemporary form. From the collection of Dion Wright (b. 1937), an acclaimed artiste & sculptor who was at the center of the scene that produced this & the many other iconic, eye-&-mind-blowing posters that symbolize a fabled time & place (see Wright's memoir, Tempus Fugitive, item No. 5916). In our sharp-&-seasoned estimation, this poster is in relatively very fine condition with only a touch of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners- the entire printed recto appears completely bright & substantially mint. 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 #6046]

Price: $250.00