FD-22 Grateful Dead "Frankenstein" 1966 Concert Poster CGC-Graded 9.4. ...

Description

FD-22 Grateful Dead "Frankenstein" 1966 Concert Poster CGC-Graded 9.4. First-printing San Francisco concert poster for the Grateful Dead and Sopwith Camel playing at the Avalon Ballroom on Friday and Saturday nights, August 19 and 20, 1966. Known as FD-22 in the Family Dog numbered series, this poster was designed by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley, and is nicknamed "Frankenstein." It's been graded 9.4 Near Mint by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company). Measures 14 1/8" x 19 7/8". COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Normally it's a horrible mistake to misspell a musician's name on a concert poster, especially the headliner, but in this case not a lot of people may have noticed (or cared) due to the ghoulish design, the scrunched "Greatful" lettering, and the presence of a much bigger star on the poster - Frankenstein's monster (often called "Frankenstein," as Dr. Frankenstein's monster did not have a proper name in Mary Shelley's classic tale of using science to handle grief).

It's fun to note that the next time Mouse & Kelley were tasked with a Grateful Dead concert poster at the Avalon – one month later – they came up with a little design called Skeleton & Roses (FD-26, four posters later).

Deadhead note: This was the month the Dead and Owsley "Bear" Stanley parted ways, after experimenting with mega-elaborate sound equipment for the band's concerts.

Hey, let's not forget opening act Sopwith Camel. Did you know that they were only the second San Francisco rock group to ever have a national Top 40 single? That's right, "Hello Hello" in early 1967, which actually reached #26 in Billboard's Hot 100. They would have been first except the Beau Brummels beat them to it with "Laugh Laugh" a couple of years prior.

Condition details: Black printer's scumming visually obvious on the white in the lower left and all around the bottom center credits. Also a very small amount of light brown discoloration in a couple of spots on the verso.