1966-FD-26-OP-1- Avalon Ballroom-Grateful Dead-PAE Graded Near Mint 83

It is with great joy that we offer this  opportunity to own one the most important and famous concert posters ever created. The FD 26 is without question one of the “Holy Grails” in the entire Psychedelic Concert Poster genre . This issue is on everybody’s top 3 lists of “most desirable” posters. This world famous piece of art was designed by mainstays in the sixties poster scene Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley. The story of Mouse and Kelley searching the stacks at the San Francisco library for an appropriate illustration for the poster is well documented. The duo discovered this illustration by 19th century artist Edward Joseph Sullivan for an edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. If we had to own just ONE PIECE for our own personal collection this would be it. This poster defines the term “historically important”. The “Skull and Roses” from this very poster would be appropriated by the Dead for the rest of their careers and go on to be a world famous internationally recognized logo for the band. With the top coins and stamps and baseball cards trading in the millions and many comic books worth well into 7 figures we truly believe in the bottom of our hearts that this poster will reach comparable levels n the years ahead.  Other that the Dead Mint copy that is for sale in our store this is the finest copy of this iconic poster to be offered for public sale in recent years. Significantly more damaged copies selling for $7000 +in recent months. We expect this copy to end up in the hands of a wise buyer who has been holding out for a “truly” Near Mint copy!

THIS POSSTER IS SIGNED IN INK BY MOUSE !

• Poster – Grateful Dead Avalon Ballroom
• Sub Title – FD-26
• Grade - PAE Near Mint 85
• Bands/Bill - Grateful Dead Oxford Circle
• Venue - Avalon Ballroom
• City - San Francisco California
• Date - 9/16-17/1966
• Dimensions -  14 3/16” x 19 15/16”
• Printing -  (OP-1) Original First Printing
• Artist - Stanley Mouse Alton Kelley 
• Series/ Promoter - Family Dog
• Paper - Vellum
• Condition details –This piece has a single clean tack hole in each corner and one additional hole on the left edge near the top. In the body of the poster there are four hairline creases near where it reads “Avalon Ballroom” in the lower section of the poster. In the “G” in “Grateful” there is a small groove in the paper with a tiny hole and on the left edge there is a small scratch. 

This poster has a reserve. The bids will appear in “RED “ until the Reserve is met.

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