Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$13,800.00
Starting bid: $1.00
The 2019 CGC Rock Poster Revolution kicks off with a poster that is universally recognized as one of the top 10 coolest and most desirable psychedelic concert posters EVER produced. This "Vanessa" Original First Printing poster is exceedingly rare and this specimen is without a doubt the finest quality example to ever be offered at public auction. Of course this is also the FIRST CGC Graded example to ever appear at public auction -- in ANY condition!
Let's examine closely why this is a history making offering that may never be equaled again in our lifetimes:
1) Unsurpassed Eye Appeal
In each of the major series of psychedelic concert posters there is one image that stands alone -- head and shoulders above the rest --as being the most recognizable and desirable poster of the entire series. In the Avalon series the FD 26 (Mouse & Kelley’s Skull and Roses) holds this title. In the Fillmore series it’s the BG 105 (Rick Griffins’ Hendrix Flying Eyeball). For the Grande Ballroom it’s Carl Lundgren's legendary and gorgeous “Vanessa”.
Artist Carl Lundgren created this poster for a pair of November 1967 concerts at the Grande featuring blues harp legend James Cotton and the Detroit icons MC-5 . This psychedelic masterpiece uses a stunning central image of the controversial actress Vanessa Redgrave taken by celebrity photographer Victor Skebnewski. Lundgrens’ use of the opposing colors of Magenta and Neon Green create an incredibly vibrant effect that leaves the viewer mesmerized. The “Vanessa” is viewed by discerning collectors as not only being the most attractive and desirable of the Grande series but of the entire genre of psychedelic concert art.
2) Unsurpassed Quality
This poster is highly coveted by collectors and is impossible to find in top condition for three easy to understand reasons. 1) Grande posters were produced in very small runs of 500-1000 and their survival rates in ANY condition are FAR LESS than the posters produced in the Family Dog and Bill Graham series. In adddition to the smaller issue numbers there were far fewer collectors of this material in the midwest at this time compared with the San Francisco venues. 2) The Vanessa is a large poster measuring almost 25 inches tall. 3) This issue was produced on exceedingly thin and highly fragile paper that damaged easily if you looked at it wrong. All 3 of these factors explain ...to no one's surprise ... that just a handul of Vanessa's have surfaced in ANY condition in the past 20 years. The specimen offered here is simply in a different universe to the few previously offered. (Details below)
3) Unsurpassed Rarity in Museum Quality Condition
Our archives show a grand total of just SIX auction appearances in the past 20 years. Of course NONE of these 6 posters were independently authenticated and graded by CGC or anyone for that matter.
1) A specimen cataloged as "Near Mint with edge wear" (oxymoron?) realized $11 488 10 years ago in September 2009.
2) A specimen that we graded "87 with handling and a 1/4 inch tear" realized $7700 in October 2010.
3) A specimen exhibiting "heavy edge wear water stain tear at bottom stains and toning on reverse" realized $9124 in November 2011.
4) A restored copy to "fix multiple tears and missing paper" realized $7432 in May 2013.
5) A specimen cataloged as "Near Mint Minus" that did not mention the flaws that kept it from being Mint or Near Mint realized $9375 in April 2014.
6) A copy cataloged as "Great shape. 2 small edge tears handling edge wear corner tip missing two white spots missing ink" realized $7635 in February 2017.
4) Unsurpassed Opportunity
The quality and eye appeal of this example is simply staggering. The paper is super crisp the colors are ultra bright the corners are razor sharp! This is Museum Quality in every sense of the word with no visible flaws of any kind. Viewing this poster in person is a special experience and we invite everyone reading this to visit our Gallery and see the poster for yourself. If that is not possible we urge you to closely examine our super high res files here to see a Vanessa that is vastly superior in quality to anything that has ever come before it. If there was ever a testament to CGC's super strict grading standards this would be it.
As we have explained repeatedly in the past CGC tends to ratchet up their grading standards to "Super Strict" whenever a Classic Rarity crosses their path. This is not just true of concert posters but of ALL collectibles. The reason for this is simple. CGC knows that when Classic Rarities surface at auction a hard fought bidding war will likely break out. Therefore CGC ratchets up their standards to insure that the lucky collector that acquires the piece will ultimatey receive "more than they bargained for".
This poster in Museum Quality condition is on virtually every knowledgable collector's "Want List". Until today it has not been available in this condition... or seen ... at ANY price.
We have tried our best to educate the collecting community on how to enjoy maximum success in their collecting endeavors. In short we believe in having a plan that focuses on quality over quantity. We believe it's better to own one legendary poster instead of ten pedestrian issues. We believe in waiting patiently for the perfect pitch and stretching for the best of the best when "all the stars align"...like they do here.
It's a simple strategy. But just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy.
We adhere to this advice because this is what has proven successful for all the greatest collectors in every collectible marketplace. This is a true "Blue Chip" concert poster and as we all know these currently trade for a tiny fraction of what comparable collectibles trade for. We're talking literally pennies on the dollar. To us acquiring this poster is a "no brainer" decision that will instantly transform your collection to World Class...even if this is the very first and last concert poster you ever end up owning and enjoying.
Quality and rarity are remembered long after price is forgotten! We are still in the VERY EARLIEST DAYS of this rapidly growing market. It's not often you get to know the results of a race before it's run! But if history repeats itself... like it always has in the past.. the collector that emerges victorious now will be seen as very prescient indeed. The extra couple clicks needed to best the competition now will have melted away with time and seem utterly irrelevant.
One thing is for sure whoever acquires this rarity now will be able to dictate whatever price they demand when it's their time to sell. There simply is not a comparable piece to choose from. The facts above show that damaged and restored examples are worth $7500- 9500 . In any other collectible market the specimen offered here would be worth 10x-20x this range. The recent introduction of independent authentication and grading by CGC will ultimately get us there and that's why this is an unsurpassed opportunity at this time.
Estimate: $15 000 - $30 000+
Poster – Grande Ballroom “Vanessa” James Cotton MC5
Grade – CGC 9.4
Bands/Bill – James Cotton Blues Band MC% Billy C & the Sunshine
Venue – Grande Ballroom
City – Detroit MI
Date – 11/10-11/67
Dimensions – 14 1/16” x 24 9/32”
Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing
Series/Promoter – Russ Gibb
Artist – Carl Lundgren
Condition Details - See description above. 100% Original with no restoration of any kind. Museum Quality with no visible flaws of any kind. No nicks cuts tears or pinholes! 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. *****
* A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to the final hammer price of this lot.*
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