1968-Seattle Center Arena-Big Brother / Janis Joplin Concert Poster-HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER & ULTRA RARE! FIRST PAE AUCTION APPEARANCE! PAE Graded Excellent '79'

closed on Friday, November 16, 2018

Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$2,530.00
Starting bid: $1.00

There is literally an insatiable collector demand for concert posters from the Pacific Northwest. It's also no secret that posters featuring Janis Joplin always enjoy top demand.

We are pleased to offer this ultra-rare Janis Joplin poster universally recognized as one of the very best Janis posters EVER issued as well as one of the very finest and most sought after Pacific Northwest concert posters EVER issued!

This beautiful image was produced on metallic silver / reflective paper and looks absolutely stunning!

In late September of 1968 Manager Albert Grossman announced an "amicable split" will soon occur between Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother & The Holding Company. A few weeks later Grossman asked Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites to help Janis put together a new band. Throughout the months of October and November Janis and Big Brother continued to perform together. 

This AMAZING original poster here is from the November 29th concert at the Seattle Civic Arena. It lists at the top of the piece “The Last Group Appearance of….”. At the time this poster was produced that could have very well been the plan however it should be noted their actual FINAL show together was at the Avalon for a benefit show 2 days later. Nevertheless this poster is an important link during that transitional period of Janis stepping out on her own and leaving Big Brother. 

The Seattle Center Arena changed its name to Eagles Auditorium a year later. The graphics and lettering designed by artist John Moehring on this piece are reminiscent of the lettering styles originated by Wes Wilson and other “big five” artists. The photos of Janis by Bob Seideman are recognized from the popular head-shop poster printed by Mouse Studios and distributed by Berkeley Bonaparte a year earlier. They are arranged and mirrored in a trippy fashion around the dark clouds in the background. 

Most importantly this poster itself was produced of SILVER REFLECTIVE paper which shimmers and shines as the light hits it. Our photo doesn’t do it justice and this vintage piece has to be SEEN in person to be fully appreciated. 

According to various records and archives about Joplin there has been some speculation about whether or not this concert actually happened. After much research we have concluded that the show DID occur. There are no known set lists or recordings however several people have reported attending this concert and have confirmed it took place as scheduled. 

The day after this show Janis & Big Brother also performed at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver before heading to San Francisco for their final performance together. This is a unique and extremely rare piece of Joplin history and should not be overlooked. We must remind the collecting community that THIS poster has never appeared in a public auction before until NOW! 

Poster – Janis Joplin Seattle Center Arena 1968

Grade – PAE Excellent 79 

Bands/Bill – Big Brother Featuring Janis Joplin Chicago Transit Authority

Venue – Seattle Center Arena (Eagles Auditorium) 

City – Seattle WA

Date – 11/29/68

Dimensions –17 1/16" x 23 1/8"

Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing

Series/Promoter – Boyd Grafmyre & KOL am fm

Artist – John Moehring / Photos by Bob Seideman

Paper Type – Reflective Silver

Condition Details - 100% Original with no restoration. Tape and tape pull on top edge of reverse 4" horizontal crease right edge 3 1/2" horizontal crease right edge bottom right corner bump bottom left corner bump 2" crease 2 1/2" from left edge near bottom 2 1/2" crease middle 1/2" crease left edge. View the detailed high res photo of this lot. Click on the thumbnail photo to see an enlarged photo. Click a second time on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the enlarged photo. A super high res image with every millimeter will now be clearly displayed. For a personalized eyewitness examination call 410-464-6180 11:00 am to 6:00pm eastern.

*****This poster is available for inspection at our gallery by appointment. *****

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