B.B. King 1954 Topeka, KS "The Blues Boy" Extremely Early Concert Poster....

Description

A STUNNING EARLY POSTER FROM THE KING OF THE BLUES

B.B. King 1954 Topeka, KS "The Blues Boy" Extremely Early Concert Poster. An original cardboard window card advertising the most successful blues artist to ever live, B.B. King, performing in a "Dance and Show" at the Meadow Acres Ballroom in Topeka, Kansas on Friday night, October 1, 1954. This advertised "Red Hot Star Studded Package" also included the talents of Bill Harvey and his Orchestra, "Sensational Saxophonist" Evelyn Young, Earl Forest and Mildred Jones.

You can call this poster a breath-taker because it takes your breath away the first time you lay eyes on it. Can that really be B.B. King, still in his 20's and looking so thin and dapper? Can this really be from 1954, so incredibly early in his career? Are those musical notes used for his name one of the coolest things you've ever seen on a boxing-style concert poster?

This is just a wicked piece in the fields of blues, R&B and dare we say it, mainstream rock & pop, due to King eventually becoming the world's best ambassador of the blues with a mainstream pop hit to boot ("The Thrill Is Gone"). We've never seen another one and highly doubt that one exists. People saved nothing in the first decade after the war, so posters like this got saved accidentally. We're sure glad this one was.

This first-ever Heritage offering measures 13 3/4" x 21 7/8" and grades to Very Good condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Those of us at Heritage are very proud of the fact that this window card was made by the American Poster & Printing Co. – right here in Dallas! Their credit appears very faintly in the white margin at the extreme lower left.

Condition details: Chameleon Restoration addressed a few edge and corner issues, touching up any printing or color where necessary, mending pinholes, eradicating surface blemishes and greatly reducing any creasing it might have had. The result is a wonderfully satisfying piece with little or no evidence of past damage. Board has significant toning throughout.


Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.