BALTIMORE — Music fans and Grateful Dead fans are keeping their eyes on an online auction from Psychedelic Art Exchange in Baltimore.
The a rare, "museum-quality" concernt poster is expected to exceed a world record price of over $50,000.
“This poster is universally recognized as one of the ‘Holy Grails’ of the entire genre,” said Glen Trosch, president of Psychedelic Art Exchange. “That’s because the poster has history, rarity, quality and one of the most famous counterculture images, all in one mind-blowing package.”
The poster was designed by concert poster artists Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse and was used to promote two Grateful Dead concerts. Those concerts were held Sept. 16 and 17, 1966 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.
“The quality of this poster is simply astonishing,” added Trosch. “It’s so bright and fresh, it’s hard to believe it’s more than 50 years old. It’s easy to understand why CGC graded it 9.8, the highest grade to ever appear at auction. That explains why our phones are ringing off the hook.”
The famous “Skeleton and Roses” design later became the band's logo.
The auction also features 200 other vintage 1960s concert posters. All of the posters have been independently authenticated and graded by CGC, the world leader for third party authentication and grading of collectibles. All lots are being sold unreserved and have a starting bid of just $1.
