Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$1,080.00
Starting bid: $1.00
This Grateful Dead poster is one of the most sought-after BG images. History buffs take heed! This original pre-concert first printing issue example is completely unique and unlike most other examples that may surface for collectors.
On the early morning of Tuesday May 7 1985 Bill Graham’s south of Market warehouse offices were fire-bombed. THIS POSTER OFFERED here was inside and among the one million dollars in damage to the archive of music memorabilia.
Authorities believed the arson was in retaliation to recent public comments Graham made about a visit to a military cemetery in Bitburg West Germany by then President Ronald Regan. Graham a German-born Jew who lost his mother and sister in the Holocaust organized a rally at Union Square a week prior on April 26 to protest Regan’s visit to the cemetery where 49 Nazi soldiers were buried. Graham called Reagan "a despicable inhuman creature" and said "I'll despise him for it until the day I die." Al Corral KTVU assistant news director said he got a call from an unidentified man who “made reference to the Bill Graham fire and Nazi soldiers.” Corral who said he considered the anonymous contact a “crank call” nonetheless reported it to the fire department. No arrests were ever made. This example of BG-288 was damaged by the fire with scorched edges but overall survived mostly intact. A very unique and historical item from the legendary legacy of the most popular and influential rock promoter ever Bill Graham. This is only the third example we have seen which came from the location of the historic fire. In July 2018 an example in similar condition with burned edges realized $748 in our auction.
To read more about the fire click here.
Poster – Grateful Dead Nassau Coliseum
Subtitle – BG-288 A Swell Dance Concert
Grade – PAE Fine 55
Band/Bill – Grateful Dead
Venue – Nassau Coliseum
City – Uniondale Long Island NY
Date – 3/15&16/73
Dimensions – 23 30/32”x 35 30/32”
Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing
Artist – David Byrd
Series/Promoter – Bill Graham
Condition Details – Singed edged from fire edge wear tears and creases discoloration and waviness from moisture. 100% Original with no restoration. 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.
Note: This oversized poster will be certified sealed in archival Mylar and shipped flat for an additional $15 fee. Shipping will be calculated accordingly.
*****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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