First Grateful Dead concert poster to be auctioned off – Yahoo Sports
The Grateful Dead, originally known as “The Warlocks,” had been performing around the Bay Area for a few months before their official debut concert on December 4, 1965. This informal concert, organized by Ken Kesey, marked the beginning of the band’s legendary journey in counterculture music history. A poster from this groundbreaking concert, asking “Can you pass the Acid Test?” and drawn in crayon, is set to be auctioned by Heritage this month.
The remarkable survival story of this vintage poster adds a layer of mystique to its allure. The original owners, two high school girls who are now in their 70s, recounted their connection to the band. The younger sister, Betsy, revealed that she had taken guitar lessons from Bob Weir at a guitar shop in Palo Alto when the band was still known as “The Warlocks.” Despite initially preferring the band under their old name, the sisters attended a show in May 1965 and were captivated by the performance.
However, as the band transitioned to the Grateful Dead and prepared for the iconic Acid Test concert, the sisters found themselves at the venue but were too intimidated to enter. Instead of joining the revelry inside, they chose to take down two hand-drawn posters as mementos. One of these posters is the very item that will be up for auction at Heritage, offering collectors a chance to own a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history.
The poster eventually found its way into the renowned David Swartz Concert Poster Collection, curated by the heir to the Timberland brand. With a collection exceeding 5,000 first-edition pieces valued at over $10 million, Swartz’s endorsement of the Grateful Dead poster speaks to its significance in the world of concert memorabilia. Grateful Dead posters, particularly the Skeleton & Roses design, have fetched impressive sums at auctions, emphasizing their desirability among collectors.
Heritage, known as the largest seller of concert posters globally, highlighted the rarity and cultural value of this poster. Describing it as a quintessential piece of rock ‘n’ roll history, Heritage emphasized the exceptional nature of this item among the vast array of collectibles they present. As the auction approaches, enthusiasts and collectors alike eagerly anticipate the opportunity to acquire this prized artifact from the Grateful Dead’s inaugural concert.