Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$10,200.00
Starting bid: $1.00
This San Jose State 1969 Grateful Dead Printers Proof was saved by accident or by great foresight. The poster announced a Halloween concert at the college student union on Halloween night. It was likely printed in a tiny quantity as there was no need for wide distribution. Posters simply had to be posted around the campus of San Jose State, a public university that could fill a room this size for Halloween without advertising. The Dead in ‘69 were playing to every imaginable sized crowd – everything from small theaters, clubs, and gymnasiums to massive festivals. San Jose State is a public university that could fill a room this size for a Halloween ball without much effort. So a few posters and print ads like this did the job. Check out this blog for more info!
The Grateful Dead played 13 times on Halloween over the years. The obvious connection inspired many Dead poster artists over the years, but top collectors key in on the Halloween posters from the 1960’s. There’s the 1966 Dance of Death poster from California Hall. The Dead were also billed on the 1966 Acid Test Graduation Poster that same night but did not perform. 1967 produced the essential Griffin/Mouse Kelley -Trip or Freak Poster…..However, this is only spoken of in whispers. San Jose State ‘69 is by far the scarcest of them all, scant copies are known to exist and only one auction sale of $8400 has been recorded by Heritage Auctiones in 2021.
The fact that this issue is a printer's proof adds another level of authenticity and scarcity. Proofs like these generally end up in the printer's file or trash bin. This poster and Lot #1, the 1969 New Riders poster came from the same long-held collection. Both are in unbelievable Near Mint condition given their age and scarcity. Opportunities to own posters of this nature do not present themselves often. Don't let this one get away!
--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE: Grateful Dead Halloween San Jose State College Union Loma Prieta Room Poster
--GRADE: Near Mint 87
--PERFORMERS: Grateful Dead
--VENUE: San Jose State College Union Loma Prieta Room
--CITY: San Jose CA
--DATE: 10/31/1969
--PRINTING: OP-1; Original Pre-Concert First Printing Poster, Printer's Proof
--SIZE: 16.5 x 20
A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to the final hammer price of this lot.
High resolution HD photos available on request.
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