Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$7,800.00
Starting bid: $1.00
This poster is signed in pencil by the artist Richard Manning and includes a signed letter of provenance directly from the artist!
Here we have one of the most important and sought-after Grateful Dead concert posters ever created DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST in the finest quality condition we’ve ever seen or heard about! This original first printing Grateful Dead poster was designed by artist Richard Manning for the band's appearance at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo New York on March 31st 1973. It is SIGNED in pencil by the artist!
In addition included with this lot is a signed certificate of authenticity by the artist Richard Manning explaining the back story of this piece and also stating the poster has been in his possession since April 1 1973 the day after the concert. This was the Grateful Dead’s first full concert performance in Buffalo. The unique headline at the top of the poster “A Rock n Roll Band That Spanned a Generation” gives this piece an extra appeal.
Be sure to check out the vintage black & white photo we posted in this lot showing one of these posters hanging in a record store back in the day. The poster exhibited in that 1973 photo has a sticker along the edge which reads "Added Attraction: New Riders of the Purple Sage". A couple days before the show (when that photo was taken) the New Riders were added to the bill.
This was the first Dead concert produced by Harvey Weinstein (yes… the convicted serial rapist & noted scumbag) his brother Bob Weinstein and Corky Burger. They independently produced rock concerts as Harvey & Corky Productions in Buffalo during the 1970’s. Artist Richard Manning was commissioned to do the artwork for the poster by the production company and Harvey requested that the theme of the artwork should depict the many influences on the band.
The design pays incredible homage to so many heroes of the era! Exhibited is “Red” from Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” balancing Tom Wolfe’s epic “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” on his head. Kesey’s Further Bus and the Merry Pranksters in front of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Leaning on the bus is Sam Cutler who at the time was the tour manager for the Grateful Dead.
Perhaps most notable of all: Pigpen is pictured on the poster with the band even though he had died a few weeks before the concert. Artist Manning states: “He was alive when I designed the poster but passed away after it had already went to print. Harvey did not want to pay for a redo so he left it as is”.
Furthermore this first printing seldom surfaces in public auctions and the few that have were all conditionally challenged. This piece here is in a different universe! It possesses everything you want in a classic collectible including AMAZING CONDITION Artist signature - and wonderful eye appeal as an added bonus! A piece sure to be highly sought after by the large contingent of advanced Grateful Dead concert poster collectors around the world.
Poster – Grateful Dead Buffalo 1973
Grade – PAE Mint 93
Bands/Bill – Grateful Dead
Venue – War Memorial
City – Buffalo NY
Date – 3/31/73
Dimensions – 16 7/8" x 22 1/2"
Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing
Artist – Richard Manning
Condition Details – Museum Quality with no nicks cuts tears or pinholes. 100% Original with no restoration. Tiny bumps in the bottom corners super light crease in bottom right corner on reverse. View the detailed high res photo of this lot. Click on the thumbnail photo to see an enlarged photo. Click a second time on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the enlarged photo. A super high res image with every millimeter will now be clearly displayed. For a personalized eyewitness examination call 410-464-6180 11:00 am to 6:00 pm eastern.
*****This Poster is available for inspection at our gallery by appointment. *****
*A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to the final hammer price of this lot.*
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