FD-40 Grateful Dead "Hippie Santa Claus" 1966 Avalon Ballroom Concert Poster Graded 9.4. ...

Description

FD-40 Grateful Dead "Hippie Santa Claus" 1966 Avalon Ballroom Concert Poster Graded 9.4. First-printing San Francisco concert poster for the Grateful Dead, Steve Miller Blues Band and Moby Grape playing at the Avalon Ballroom on Friday and Saturday nights, December 23 & 24, 1966. Known as FD-40 in the Family Dog numbered series, this poster was designed by Victor Moscoso and is nicknamed "Hippie Santa Claus."

This show was for Chet Helms' Family Dog; the following weekend, the Dead would play their very first New Year's Eve show for Bill Graham over at the Fillmore, continuing to divide their loyalties between the two promoters. Measuring 14 1/4" x 20", this poster was gifted a 9.4 Near Mint grade by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company). From the Tim Backstrom Grateful Dead Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Being Christmas week, it's only fitting that Moscoso's primary colors were red & green. The central image features a devilish Santa Claus (complete with horns) looking like he's seeking out children who were naughty rather than nice. A solid triple bill of Bay-Area rock bands enhance this piece's popularity.


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