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Description

FD-82 Grateful Dead, Mother Earth 1967 Denver, CO Concert Poster Graded 9.8. First-printing Denver, Colorado Family Dog concert poster for the Grateful Dead and Mother Earth playing at the FD's Denver venue on West Evans Street on Friday and Saturday nights, September 22 and 23, 1967. Known as FD-82 (D-3) in the Family Dog numbered series, this poster is nicknamed, for obvious reasons, "The Head." It's amazing the way "Grateful Dead" is spelled out in hidden fashion in the skull's teeth... check it out. This poster's been graded a scorching 9.8 Near Mint/Mint by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company).

In Eric King's poster guide, this specimen is known as FD-82-OP-1. It has a clean presentation of the artwork, with no writing over the white skull or red margin. OP-2 added "Grateful Dead" over the skull's forehead and ticket-buying info in the bottom red margin; that version is much rarer than this one.

Many people focus on the skull's nose and try to figure out who that center man is (he seems like just a typical long-haired, mustachioed man of the day). They don't think to focus on the skull's teeth, and never realize that Dennis Nolan's imaginative artwork forms the words "Grateful Dead"!

Opening act Mother Earth was a San Francisco band by way of Madison, Wisconsin, fronted by singer/songwriter Tracy Nelson. They shared the Avalon and Fillmore stages with the likes of the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix throughout the late 60's. From 1968-1973, Mother Earth released four albums on Mercury Records, two on Reprise and one on Columbia. Three of them made it onto Billboard's album chart, but not very high.

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


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

Auction Dates
December, 2025
14th Sunday
Internet/Mail Bids: 16
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 144

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Dec 14, 2025 for: $568.75
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