Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$204.00
Starting bid: $1.00
This poster is signed in pencil by the artist Gary Grimshaw!
Gary Grimshaw created this poster to promote a benefit concert for John Sinclair at the Grande Ballroom on June 6th 1971. Two years prior Sinclair was sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of marijuana. A protest movement led by prominent figures of the day ensued - many in Detroit and held at the Grande. Sinclair was eventually freed in December 1971 just days after John Lennon appeared at the famous Sinclair Freedom Rally held at University of Michigan.
This benefit in June at the Grande was hosted by The Flamin’ Groovies Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder Up and Carnal Kitchen. The original poster was printed before the concert on two different color paper stocks: Grey Paper (The OP-1) and Tan Paper (THIS EXAMPLE – The OP-2). Both are considered Original Pre-Concert First Printings.
One of the founders of The White Panther Party John Sinclair also founded the Ann Arbor Sun a local newspaper in Michigan which changed to the Trans-Love Energies Organization operated by his wife Leni and artist Gary Grimshaw. They set up shop 1510 Hill St where the Ann Arbor Sun was located. The newspaper published the White Panthers ten-point program statement in 1968 and a revised listing in 1969. The statement requested complete freedom and equality for all. A true period-piece poster SIGNED BY THE ARTIST and extremely rare in the Grande Ballroom series.
It's no secret that collector demand for material signed by the artists is currently skyrocketing. Grimshaw's signature is MANY times rarer than "The Big Five" and constantly requested in our studio.
But what's even more interesting is something that seasoned collectors have known for years...Grande Ballroom material was issued in tiny numbers and represent a critical pert of 1960's Ballroom Concert history.
Interest in Grande material is EXPLODING and to understand why watch this incredible documentary which we consider as fine a documentary on this era and these posters that has EVER been produced!
Poster – Free John Sinclair Benefit
Grade – CGC 9.2
Bands/Bill – The Flamin’ Groovies Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder Up Carnal Kitchen
Venue – Grande Ballroom
City – Detroit MI
Date – 6/6/71
Dimensions – 9 3/4” x 13”
Printing – OP-2 Original Pre-Concert First Printing Tan Paper
Artist – Gary Grimshaw
Paper Type – Tan Stock
Condition Details - SUPER CLEAN & PINHOLE FREE! 100% Original with no restoration. 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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