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Description

THE CONCERT THAT BROKE EVERY RECORD IN SIGHT

The Beatles 1965 Shea Stadium, NY Cardboard Concert Poster (AOR-2-A). An original 1965 New York City advertising placard from promoter Sid Bernstein touting The Beatles playing at Shea Stadium on Sunday, August 15, 1965 - the biggest rock concert in history up until that time. The talent found on this small cardboard poster is remarkable... no fewer than TEN future members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Can you name them all?

This poster has the fun distinction of being the very first poster image to appear in the Art of Rock, way up on page 2 - literally, facing the title page as soon as you open the book. And it was given the full-page treatment to boot. Measures 10 7/8" x 17" and grades to Near Mint Minus condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

Literature: See Grushkin, Paul, The Art of Rock: Posters from Presley to Punk, Abbeville Press, New York, 1987, p.2 (illus.).


More Information: Concert posters were generated in the mid-60's because they were needed, not because they were fun. Promoter Bernstein may not have needed help selling Fab Four tickets... they could have sold out Shea Stadium 10 times over on this occasion. But everybody else on the poster probably needed a boost, so the sign was made. It covers a two-month period from the late spring through to mid-August with the Beatles, skipping July altogether.

You can see all the British Invasion bands on there... how much fun was this? Herman's Hermits, The Dave Clark 5, The Kinks and the Moody Blues. And then below the Fabs, "The First New York Folk Festival, with 60 of the Nation's Top Folk Artists, including Phil Ochs, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash & Buffy St. Marie."

It's small, it's B&W and it doesn't have any photos of the bands, but boy does this piece pack a punch. A mix tape of just these artists' hits (and best Moody Blues album tracks) would result in hours of great listening.

Condition details: Has slightly touched corners. There are printer's flaws in the form of ink smudges in the DC5 ticket prices, and much more lightly, under "Mailing," above "Festival" and under "further." The verso has many white-paper remnants from when it was apparently glued down to a white surface.

OH... those 10 Hall-of-Famers? Here we go: Dave Clark Five, Kinks, Moody Blues, Beatles, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Sorry, nice guy Peter Noone... we loved your eleven Top 10 American hits anyway!!


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.

Auction Info

Auction Dates
July, 2025
11th-12th Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 22
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 407

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Jul 12, 2025 for: $4,500.00
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