NR-12 Chambers Brothers 1967 Neon Rose Poster Signed by Victor Moscoso, Graded 9.8 (AOR-2.128). ...

Description

NR-12 Chambers Brothers 1967 Neon Rose Poster Signed by Victor Moscoso, Graded 9.8 (AOR-2.128). An original first-printing San Francisco concert poster for the Chambers Brothers playing for six nights at Marty Balin's Matrix nightclub on Fillmore Street in San Francisco: March 28-30 and April 4-6, 1967. Known as NR-12 in the Neon Rose numbered series, this poster was designed by Victor Moscoso, who has hand-signed it down in the bottom margin next to his printed name. It was then graded to a show-stopping 9.8 Near Mint/Mint by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company).

This is one of the most popular and enduring of all S.F. psychedelic poster images among art fans and collectors today. The hobby's Bible, The Art of Rock, thought so much of this artwork that it gave the poster a full page.

Rather than weekend sets, these were both mid-week residencies running Tuesday-Thursday for two straight weeks. "Minors Welcome," the woman's right eye subtly states; the Matrix didn't have a liquor license.

Given the sublime artwork on this poster, and Moscoso's legacy, it's often overlooked that this is the year the Chambers Bros. released their epic hit "Time Has Come Today" on Columbia Records. For a second time. The first time that single came out, in '66, it went nowhere. But this time, upon re-release in December '67, it started slowly but eventually became a psychedelic soul anthem and a Top 20 pop hit in late '68, and a ubiquitous radio hit that's now considered a classic. The Brothers also released their album The Time Has Come this fall.

It's easy to be confused about the Chambers Bros.' exact legacy, because they were a far cry from being just another new rock act in '67. They had actually performed in the gospel and folk genres for a decade between 1954-1965. In the mid-60's, wishing to branch out, they phased out gospel music and started focusing exclusively on folk, playing coffee houses nationwide such as The Ash Grove in Los Angeles. One thing led to another, the folk-rock boom was cresting, and soon no less than Pete Seeger had booked them for the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, the same jam where Dylan went electric. After they finished their Newport set the MC told the crowd, "Whether you know it or not, that was rock 'n' roll." It was then only a small step to their new psychedelicized soul sound which became their trademark.

Measures 14" x 20". COA from Heritage Auctions.

Literature: See Grushkin, Paul, The Art of Rock Posters from Presley to Punk, Abbeville Press, New York, 1987, p.170 (full-page illus.).

Special note: We feel this poster is actually a Signature-auction item (live auctioneer, catalog placement) that we appraise at being clearly worth over $1,000, as evidenced by results in the last couple of years here at Heritage. However, we're including this poster now in our Showcase auctions sometimes because we wanted to satisfy our consignors and offer our customers more than just three chances a year to win one. At any rate, good luck!

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