Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$4,500.00
Starting bid: $10.00
Known to collectors as "The Seed", this original poster announced the Charlatans’ residency at the Red Dog Saloon in the Summer of 1965, and it is widely regarded as the first psychedelic rock poster. The saloon’s owners wanted a house band instead of a jukebox and hired the Charlatans, who had not yet played a gig. Founder George Hunter proposed a hand-drawn poster, designed with bandmate Michael Ferguson, in the style of an old circus bill.
The Red Dog shows were ground zero for the scene that took root in San Francisco within a few months. They were a strange mix of improvised performance, LSD, firearms, and mayhem, and as word of the Red Dog spread, San Francisco hipsters made the trip to Virginia City and came home inspired. By August, Ken Kesey’s La Honda parties were in full force. In October, the Family Dog staged "A Tribute to Dr. Strange" at Longshoremen’s Hall. By February 1966, Bill Graham was running regular dances at the Fillmore Auditorium.
The engagement was originally booked for June 1–15, but the opening slipped by about three weeks, and a second poster was printed with the new date, "Opening June 21" (AOR-2.1). This example here is the original version, AOR-2.2, which carries the June 1–15 dates that never took place. The poster was printed in both black and blue ink. Both variants are scarce, especially in better condition.
Condition Details: Blue ink. Printed on white stock. Pinholes, toning, tape pulls, creases.
--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE: AOR-2.2 The Seed Poster
--GRADE: Extra Fine 67
--PERFORMERS: The Charlatans
--VENUE: Red Dog Saloon
--CITY: Virginia City, NV
--DATE: 6/1-15/1965
--SIZE: 10 x 14"
--PRINTING: OP-1; 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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