1972–Paramount Theatre-Frank Zappa Cardboard Concert Poster-SCARCE! HISTORIC COMEBACK TOUR AFTER INJURY! PAE Graded Excellent “79”

closed on Friday, July 19, 2019

Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$2,160.00
Starting bid: $1.00

It's no secret that Frank Zappa enjoys a collector cult following. It’s also well known that material from the pacific northwest is highly sought after and increasingly hard to find as time goes on. Couple that with the fact that original cardboard posters are one of the most cherished types of concert memorabilia ever known and you’ve got a grand recipe for a special opportunity. 

 

This cardboard poster was produced for Frank Zappa’s appearance at the Paramount Theatre on December 9th 1972. This era has HISTORIC importance as it celebrates a come-back of sorts for Zappa. When he was performing at the Rainbow Theatre a year prior a member of the audience pushed him off the stage and into the concrete-floored orchestra pit. Due to his injuries Zappa suffered an extended period of wheelchair confinement making touring impossible for over half a year. 

 

He returned to the stage in late September 1972 with a 20-piece big band referred to as the “Grand Wazoo”. This was followed by a scaled-down version called the “Petit Wazoo” that toured the US from October to December 1972 including this Paramount Theatre show. The cardboard poster exhibited here was produced by the Washington Poster Company.

 

The desirability of this 100% original poster cannot be overstated. Pirate printings and reprints of this paramount image have surfaced in public auctions over the years but this ORIGINAL Cardboard pre-concert first printing is ULTRA SCARCE -- and it’s the FIRST example we’ve ever offered in our auction! 

 

Poster – Frank Zappa Paramount Theatre Cardboard

Grade – PAE Excellent “79”

Bands/Bill – Frank Zappa Reuben & The Jets

Venue – Paramount Theatre

City – Portland OR

Date – 12/9/72

Dimensions – 14 3/8 x 22 3/8”

Printing – OP-1 Original Pre-Concert First Printing

Series/Promoter – Paramount Northwest

Paper Type - Cardboard

Printer – Washington Poster Co. 

Condition Details - 100% Original with no restoration. Set of staple holes in each corner upper left corner crease 1/4" tear top center tape pulls on reverse. 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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