Kouninos, Nicholas; Donovan; H.P. Lovecraft; Mother Earth; Graham, Bill

Original Concert Postcard: Donovan, H.P. Lovecraft, Mother Earth (November 23-25, 1967)

San Francisco, CA: Bill Graham, 1967. First Edition, Second Printing. Single Sheet. This postcard designed by Nicholas Kouninos (1943-2010) announces a concert series at the Fillmore and the Winterland Ballroom during November 23-25, 1967 featuring Donovan, H.P. Lovecraft, and Mother Earth produced by the legendary impresario Bill Graham (1931-1991). According to Eric King’s Collector’s Guide, “This is the second of two images created by Nicholas Kouninos,” which King says is “unfortunate” due to his artistic potential (pg. 432). The ornate Queen of Clubs design in gold and purple is bold and eye-catching, and the playing card motif was inspiration to several of Bill Graham’s poster designers. All three performers in this series were at both locations, but the November 23rd performances were hosted at the Fillmore while the 24th and 25th were hosted at the Winterland Ballroom. Donovan Leitch (b. 1946) is a Scottish musician (known mononymously as “Donovan”) whose career began in the British folk scene in early 1965. His work became emblematic of the “flower power era” with a blend of folk, pop, jazz, and psychedelia. He befriended Joan Baez, Brian Jones, and John Lennon, and his backing band included the future members of Led Zeppelin John Bonham, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. His fourth studio album Mellow Yellow was released in the U.S. in February 1967 following the single of the same name released the previous October. Donovan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. H.P. Lovecraft was a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago named after the horror writer best known as the creator of Cthulhu. The band released their eponymous first album in October 1967 just a few weeks before this show. Mother Earth was a California-based blues rock band formed in 1967 by Wisconsin-born singer Tracy Nelson (b. 1944) who had been a solo artist before moving to San Francisco. Their line-up evolved over the years, and the group disbanded in 1977. Single sheet (appx. 4 & 19/32” x 7”): first edition, second printing with all points in King’s Collector’s Guide (King, BG-94-OPC-B, pg. 432). In relatively very fine condition with one small pinhole in the center near top edge; mild age-toning to blank verso; and very mild spotting to verso which could simply be unavoidable bleeding from the printing process. Very Fine. [Item #7867]

Price: $100.00