Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$7,700.00
Starting bid: $500.00
In each of the major series of psychedelic concert posters there is one image that stands alone as being the most recognizable and desirable poster of the entire run. Factors that contribute to this consist of performer artist venue and historical significance. However the most crucial factor is the overall esthetic appeal of the image itself. In the Avalon series the FD 26(Mouse & Kelley’s-Skull and Roses) holds this title. In the Fillmore run it’s the BG 105 (Rick Griffins’- Flying Eyeball). For the Grande Ballroom it’s the “Vanessa”.
Artist Carl Lundgren created this poster that advertises a pair of November 1967 concerts at the Grande featuring blues harp legend James Cotton.
This psychedelic masterpiece uses a stunning central image of the controversial actress Vanessa Redgrave taken by celebrity photographer Victor Skebnewski. Lundgrens’ use of the opposing colors of Magenta and Neon Green create an incredibly vibrant effect that leaves the viewer mesmerized.
The “Vanessa” is viewed by discerning collectors as not only being the most attractive and desirable of the Grande series but of the entire genre of psychedelic concert art. This poster is highly coveted by top collectors and is next to impossible to find in top condition.
This copy has been in the possession of a Detroit area musician for the last 43 years. The poster was originally a gift from his friends older brother who attended many Grande Ballroom shows at the time and is in a remarkably high state of preservation. Even back then the owner knew that he had something worth saving. The rolled poster was wrapped in plastic and stored amongst other possessions until the mid eighties at which point it was miraculously saved from the purging of a storage locker. Since that time it has been in hiding in the owner’s home out of direct light and has not been handled.
This poster measure 14 & 1/16” x 24 & 9/32 “ and is in incredible shape. The colors are bright and vibrant. There only flaws are are a few incidents of soft creasing and a 1/8” tear on the bottom edge. There are no pinholes tape pulls or stains and NO restoration whatsoever has been performed. Most sellers would give their top designation of condition to this piece. However due to the ultra strict condition guidelines of the Psychedelic Art Exchange the minute tear just knocks it out our “Mint” category.
It should be noted that posters from the Grande ballroom were printed in far less quantities than that of the Fillmore and Avalon series. Additionally survival rates in any condition are critically less that the aforementioned venues. We estimate that less than 50 copies of this poster exist in any condition and less than 7 have survived in this amazing state. With pin holed copies routinely fetching prices of $5000+ (in the rare event that one is made available to the public) and we expect this piece to come very close to if not exceed the five-figure mark.
So here is your opportunity to buy one of the best known and appreciated concert posters in amazing shape. Use it well this poster in any condition does not get offered frequently.