1966 FD-40 Grateful Dead Avalon OP-1 Poster 9.8

The FD-40 First Printing is the first Grateful Dead poster created by Victor Moscoso, and it is commonly referred to as the Hippie Santa Claus. One of the most popular pieces of artwork promoting one of history's most beloved bands! This striking Green and Red design announced a pair of late December shows at The Avalon featuring the Dead, Steve Miller and Moby Grape. In December of last year, another 9.8 example of this poster sold for $3,300 in our auction!

Poster historian Eric King states in his guide: "It is noteworthy that the artist, Victor Moscoso, refers to it as 'The Satanic Santa.' European Christmas tradition includes an evil character who brings bad things to bad children, and the drawing on this poster bears considerable resemblance to that character. The Family Dog did have radio ads for this concert promoting a Hippie Santa Claus who said "Ho, Ho, Ho" in very hip voice, but Moscoso's poster came from a substantially different place."

--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE: FD-40
--GRADE: CGC 9.8
--PERFORMERS: Grateful Dead
--VENUE: Avalon
--CITY: San Francisco
--DATE: 12/23/66
--PRINTING: OP-1; Original Poster
14 x 20