1972 Grateful Dead Europe '72 The Bickershaw Festival Lancashire Poster Extra Fine 67

This auction includes an extraordinary number of rare English and European concert posters from the 1960s and ‘70s that clearly illustrate the contrast between posters made in San Francisco and those produced in Great Britain. The stylistic differences in illustration, typesetting, printing style, and paper type create a clear and wonderful contrast for collectors. However, the scarcity of European posters makes it difficult, if not impossible, for collectors in the US to own these beautiful works of art.

This lot is a lasting example from the British festival scene of the 1970s and is the first public offering of an extraordinarily scarce English Festival Poster that happened to catch the Grateful Dead on their legendary 1972 European Tour. The Bickershaw music festival took place in Lancashire, England, on May 5-7, 1972. The festival was one of many large English rock festivals that were common at the time. Notable acts included the Kinks, Donovan, Captain Beefheart, and Hawkwind. Recollections are scant, but overall it was a muddy mess.

The Bickershaw Festival was the 14th stop on the Europe 72 tour, funded by Warner Brothers Music for the live album Europe ‘72. The show wasn't included on the original Europe ‘72 release; however, the 16-track recordings left behind four hours of crystal-clear 1972 Grateful Dead and stage banter that captures the moment perfectly.

It likely would have faded from memory except for falling into Grateful Dead Mythology. It was Bill Kreutzmann's 26th birthday, and the band was on fire. The festival was a grey, rainy mess the entire time until the Dead took the stage and the skies cleared. Their 4-hour set was the festival's highlight, according to a17-year-old Declan MacManus, aka Elvis Costello, who decided at that moment to become a professional musician.

The poster is in remarkably good shape given its age and scarcity. 

Condition: Creases from being folded into eighths, edge tear at the top center, right center crease, three tiny tears on the center vertical crease, handling creases, light stains.

--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE: Bickershaw Festival Poster
--GRADE: Extra Fine 67
--PERFORMERS: Grateful Dead, The Kinks, Dr. John, Donovan, Hawkwind, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Captain Beefheart, Dion
--VENUE: Bickershaw
--CITY: Lancashire England
--DATE: 5/5-7/1972
--SIZE: 19.91 x 31.25"
--PRINTING: Original Pre-Concert First Printing Poster

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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