Grateful Dead 1967 Warner Bros. Records Promotional Cardboard Stand-Up Display. ...

Description

Grateful Dead 1967 Warner Bros. Records Promotional Cardboard Stand-Up Display. An original thick cardboard 3-D promo standee made by Warner Bros./Reprise Records in 1967 for retail outlets to promote four new rock groups they were feeling pretty good about: The Association, Harper's Bizarre, The Electric Prunes and oh, yes - the Grateful Dead. The first three had big hits that people could hang their hat on... "Windy," "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)," whereas the fourth wouldn't know a hit single for years. Now, almost 60 years later, the first three couldn't sell out a coffee shop whereas the Dead are still packing football stadiums with just two original members.

Measures approx. 24" x 28" and grades to Very Good Minus condition. From the Tim Backstrom Grateful Dead Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: A very quaint, psychedelic bit of advertising by Warner Bros. as label chief Joe Smith strove for the label to be hip. Notice it says, "Warner Bros. and Reprise Love You" in psychedelic lettering, mimicking the concert posters that were now so popular up in the Bay Area.

Condition details: At the top center of the display, there's some paper missing (but not the board underneath). All four corners are dinged and creased, especially the bottom two. There's a 2 ¾" horizontal crease running from the top of the Electric Prunes LP to the right edge. A little bit of light scuffing is found here & there. The verso has two pieces of old masking tape in the top two corners, plus toning, grime and some water spotting.

Finally, this display was meant to be manipulated into a three-dimensional store-counter display piece. Thus, there are several places in the cardboard where pieces swing one way or another, pop out, etc. Due to its fragility – and please make note of that – Heritage made no attempt to set it up three-dimensionally; we just treated it as a flat piece. We cannot guarantee its functionality as a 3D display; but then, we don't see anything broken or torn either, so it probably can be made to do so.


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.