Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$10,800.00
Starting bid: $1.00
It is our pleasure to offer the the collecting community the finest quality CGC graded specimen of this legendary issue to EVER appear at public auction. In addition this poster has also been independently authenticated as an Original First Printing on the back of the poster in pencil by noted concert poster expert and historian Eric King!
There are 5 main factors that determine the value and desirability of a vintage concert poster. This lot represents a very rare chance to acquire a poster that ranks a "10 out of 10" in each and every category.
Let's examine each individually.
1) Artist - This famous poster was created by the late great Rick Griffin. It is widely acknowledged that Griffin was the greatest psychedelic concert poster artist of all time. Griffin's posters always generate peak collector interest and demand whenever they are offered at public auction.
2) Art - This is not just any Rick Griffin poster. This is universally recognized as one of Griffin's greatest masterpieces. Collectors are not the only group that recognized this extraordinary artistic achievement. The Grateful Dead themselves appropriated this artwork for the cover of their third LP AFTER they saw its appearance on a poster!
3) Band - It's only fitting that one of Griffin's finest works was for one of the most beloved groups of all time ...The Grateful Dead. There are plenty of mindblowing posters that were created for run of the mill bands. And there is an equal number of run of the mill posters created for great bands. But there are precious few superlative posters that were created for legendary bands. This poster obviously is THE DEFINITION of a World Class poster for a World Class band.
4) Condition - This poster is the finest quality CGC graded specimen to EVER appear at public auction. This is not an OPINION it is a FACT. It is well known that in every collectibles market there is an insatiable demand for the handful of items that are unquestionably THE BEST and this poster clearly fits that description. The eye appeal of this specimen is simply unimprovable. This poster is 100% original with no restoration of any kind. The colors are fresh and rich and the paper is free of all nicks cuts tears or pinholes. It's without a doubt the finest quality CGC graded example to be auctioned by us or anyone else on the planet.
5) Rarity - In addition to all the special characteristics outline above this poster is further distinguished by it's MASSIVE SIZE. And as all collectors know "massive size" equals "easily damaged". This huge masterpiece has been preserved in the exact same condition as the day it was created over 50 years ago creating a World Class Rarity in this Museum Quality Condition.
Summary - This lot possesses everything you could possibly want in a vintage concert poster. Over the years we have auctioned scores of posters worth many millions of dollars but we would be hard pressed to identify more than a handful that possess a true "Royal Flush" like this lot offers.
We have always advised collectors to take a disciplined approach to their collecting activities. We and our clients have enjoyed tremendous success by valuing quality over quantity. This is achieved by utilizing a patient collecting strategy that waits and aggressively pursues TRULY EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES. We believe this lot fits this bill and as such deserves your careful and most thoughtful consideration.
A note about value - A thorough search of our archives discovers that the high water mark for this issue was a signed example that commanded $7532 over four years ago on 2/8/15. That specimen was cataloged as follows:
"Near Mint Minus. Displays a bit of very minor handling and a few very minor edge creases and dinged but these would all disappear if framed. We note two strips of archival tape on the back upper edge that could be removed if desired."
We have not had the privilege of viewing this fine specimen but if the description is accurate based on our experience this would be graded no higher than 7.0 - 8.0 by CGC. Clearly the quality of the specimen offered here is in a different universe. While ascertaining the value of collectibles INDEPENDENTLY DESIGNATED as "The Finest Ever Offered" is always an estimate at best our guidance is as follows....
Estimate: $7 500- $15 000
Poster – Grateful Dead Aoxomoxoa
Grade – CGC 9.6
Series/Promoter – Soundproof Productions
Bands/Bill – Grateful Dead Sons of Champlin Initial Shock
Venue – Avalon Ballroom
City – San Francisco California
Date – 1/24-26/1969
Dimensions – 21 27/32" x 26 3/16"
Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing
Artist – Rick Griffin
A.O.R # 2.24
Condition Details – Superb Museum Quality. The finest CGC graded specimen to EVER be offered at public auction. 100% Original with no restoration. No nicks cuts tears or pinholes.
*****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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