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Description

THE REAL, TRUE AND RARE BG-1 FIRST PRINTING

BG-1 Jefferson Airplane 1966 Fillmore Auditorium OP-1 Concert Poster w/ Peter Bailey Credit. This is it: the very first poster from either Bill Graham or Chet Helms in their years-long cherished numbered series of BG and FD posters. Printed in January 1966 (wow), this poster heralded the official opening of the Fillmore Auditorium to regular rock concerts, and the arrival of the Jefferson Airplane as a local force to be contended with.

And best of all, this specimen was part of the very first run where the graphic artist gave himself a very small credit in the lower left corner, "Design Peter Bailey East Wind Printers." According to Eric King in his Collector's Guide to Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters, Postcards and Handbills 1965-1973, "In the late 1970's when I interviewed Peter Bailey, who created and printed this image, he told me that when he showed the poster to Bill Graham, Graham objected to Bailey's credit as artist, and demanded that he print more without the credit. This first version is very rare and highly sought after. It is also one of the most valuable Fillmore posters."

Indeed, this is the very first time Heritage has ever been able to offer one. Measures 15" x 19" and grades to repaired Very Good condition. From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.


More Information: The Airplane, long before Grace Slick joined them, were the whole shootin' match at the Fillmore on February 4, 5 and 6, 1966. No opening acts listed, no light show, no psychedelic artwork... this was straight-ahead advertising but did include a crazy enough central image to appeal to the nascent counterculture developing in the Bay Area.

This was very early for the Airplane, with Signe Anderson still in the band instead of Grace Slick. This was the month RCA Records released the band's first single, "It's No Secret"/"Runnin' 'Round This World." Their debut album Takes Off (with Signe) was still six months away.

Condition details: Chameleon Restoration addressed a few edge and corner issues, mending tears or pinholes, eradicating surface blemishes and greatly reducing any creasing the poster might have had. In repairing the lower left corner, the word "Design" (only) in the (very faint) Peter Bailey credit got compromised and can be difficult to read. The other five words ("Peter Bailey, East Wind Printers") are fine. There remains a ¾" tear on the poster's right edge over from the plane's tail. And there are two stains on the verso, which do bleed through ever-so-slightly to the poster's front. If you look real closely, you can see the bleed-through effect on the horse's thick neck, and on the left stem of the first "A" in "Airplane."


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

Proxy Bidding Ends 
November
7th Friday 11:50 am CT
Auction Dates
November
7th Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining 
27 Days 1h 11m 46s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: 16
Page Views: 111

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.

This lot is in: 1 - Signature® Floor Session - The David Swartz Concert Poster Collection (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 26001-26057) - 12:00 PM Central Time, Friday, November 7, 2025.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]

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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261

Current Bid:
$525
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