Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker 1962 New York City Concert Handbill....

Description

Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker 1962 New York City Concert Handbill. An original blue & white paper advertising flyer for "The Traveling Hootenanny" playing at Town Hall in New York on Friday evening, October 5, 1962. The six musicians given are Bob Dylan, Ian and Sylvia, John Lee Hooker, Judy Collins, Lynn Gold and Sandy Bull.

Dylan was pretty unknown then, as the show fell exactly halfway between the release of his first two albums, Bob Dylan and The Freewheelin'. He performed "Talkin' New York" from his first LP, "Talkin' John Birch Blues" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" from Freewheelin', and even "Ballad of Hollis Brown" which wouldn't come out until his third album in early '64. And although he didn't perform it, he had already recorded "Blowin' in the Wind" for the Freewheelin'.

This handbill has more charisma than most, with a cool graphic of an acoustic guitar on an old-fashioned carriage. Has a nice array of type fonts and sizes, and the blue color gives it a real snap. Fun wording, too... people from the audience selected to perform? How fun. First-time Heritage offering of this scarce piece. Measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and grades to Near Mint Minus condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: It can playfully be argued that this handbill dates from the exact month Bob Dylan first "went electric." Really. And here you thought it was on "Subterranean Homesick Blues." (smile) It was during this month, October 1962, that Dylan went into a Columbia Records recording studio with five musicians and attempted to cut "Mixed Up Confusion." You know, that rollicking little ditty which became his first single. He didn't produce the final take, but he did turn out the final released version of "Corrina, Corrina" with back-up musicians. So there you go.

John Lee Hooker was a blues legend that the others surely bowed down to, so it's hard to figure why he's listed third. Then more thought reveals that the six musicians are listed alphabetically by first name.

Although the wording implies this "Traveling Hootenanny" was going to be the first in a series, there's no evidence that any others ever took place.

Condition details: On first glance, this piece looks mint. Then upon close examination, one can find little instances of surface grime above and on "Town Hall," above that in the blue to the upper left of the wheel, and on the verso in the piece's upper half. On the nitpicky front, there's the slightest ding in the light blue over to the right from the guitar, just a little pencil point-sized indent, and a little surface creasing in the white area above "$3.00."


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.