Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$10,362.00
Starting bid: $200.00
It is with great joy that we offer this first opportunity to own a CGC authenticated and graded example of one the most important and famous concert posters ever created. The FD 26 is without question one of the “Holy Grails” in the entire Psychedelic Concert Poster genre. This issue is on everybody’s top 3 lists of “most desirable” posters. This world famous piece of art was designed and DOUBLE SIGNED by the legendary 1960’s concert poster artists Stanley Mouse and the late Alton Kelley. The story of Mouse and Kelley searching the stacks at the San Francisco library for an appropriate illustration for the poster is well documented. The duo discovered this illustration by 19th century artist Edward Joseph Sullivan for an edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
If we had to own just ONE PIECE for our own personal collection this would be it. This poster defines the term “historically important”. The “Skull and Roses” from this very poster would be appropriated by the Dead for the rest of their careers and go on to be a world famous internationally recognized logo for the band.
This is an incredibly strong example of this poster with Very fresh and bright colors crisp bright paper and razor sharp corners and edges. There are no nicks cuts tears or restoration of any kind. The only flaw are very small pinholes in the corners and one in the center top and bottom. Mint copies of this poster now fetch well over $30 000 and copies in lesser condition routinely bring $5 000 - $10 000. The last copy to appear at auction was in September 2016.
The piece was not nearly as fresh color-wise and had much much more damage. It was unsigned and of course was not independently authenticated and graded by CGC. It brought over $7 000. If you are looking for the best possible example without paying Mint prices that has been DOUBLE SIGNED by the artists and has been independently authenticated by CGC here is your chance!
Signed in pencil by both Mouse & Kelley
Estimate $5 000 - $10 000
Poster – Grateful Dead Avalon Ballroom
Sub Title – FD-26
Grade – CGC Graded 8.0
Bands/Bill - Grateful Dead Oxford Circle
Venue - Avalon Ballroom
City - San Francisco California
Date - 9/16-17/1966
Dimensions - 14 3/16” x 19 15/16”
Printing - (OP-1) Original First Printing
Artist - Stanley Mouse Alton Kelley
Series/ Promoter - Family Dog
Paper - Vellum