Grateful Dead 1966 S.F. Acid Test "Whatever It Is" Poster Graded 6.5 Fine Plus (AOR-2.188)....

Description

WHATEVER IT IS, IT IS SURELY RARE AND SPECIAL

Grateful Dead 1966 S.F. Acid Test "Whatever It Is" Poster Graded 6.5 Fine Plus (AOR-2.188). Heritage is very proud to be offering, for the first time, one of the key Grateful Dead posters from their entire career... the rare 1966 San Francisco State Acid Test poster, nicknamed "Whatever It Is" for the pink wording on it. And the great news is, this is the version that lists all the performers and attractions, including the Dead. (Some of them didn't, although we only see a new one of these surface every few years.) And this specimen has been graded "Fine Plus" and encapsulated by CGC, so its wear & tear has come to a complete halt.

The event was held over the weekend of September 30 to October 2, 1966. Just reading the poster tells you most of what you need to know. One thing it doesn't: LSD became illegal in California just four days after the fest ended, on 10/6/66. So this was a 'last call' of sorts for acid droppers to celebrate in public without worry. The Dead's Pigpen, who preferred booze to drugs, finally got dosed this weekend. It might've had something to do with chief Merry Prankster Ken Kesey attending and strolling the grounds, a rare presence himself by this point.

It's a very charismatic poster, with a lot of fun wording throughout and tempting everyone with a two-bucks-all-weekend admission price (and half that for students). How about that moonscape full of crazies and alien life forms? The event's purpose was stated clearly above the white box (a piece of paper glued on): "Researching... how can we go higher?" Interesting to note that there are 10 attractions listed in the white box, but the CGC grading strip lists only the Grateful Dead and Mimi Farina (Joan Baez's sister) as musicians. We guess that settles that.

The Dead were having a heck of a September, too... only four weeks before this event they played the Fillmore for the very first time, and in mid-September they had played the Avalon in a weekend immortalized by the FD-26 Skeleton & Roses poster. And then on the last day of the month, this starts.

An amazingly rare and thrilling poster that would give deep and immediate cred to any poster collection that presently has only well-known BG and FD specimens. You get this in your collection, and even the most serious guys are gonna go "Whaaa?" and become your new best friend. This first-ever Heritage offering measures 22" x 14" and grades to 6.5 Fine Plus condition by CGC. COA from Heritage Auctions.

Literature: See Grushkin, Paul, The Art of Rock: Posters from Presley to Punk, Abbeville Press, New York, 1987, p.187 (illus.).

More Information: The complete list of talent in the white box consists of the Grateful Dead, Mimi Farina, the Only Alternative, the Committee, Ron Boise sculpture, Bob Beck light show, "Rock workshop," Bernard Gunther, Straight Theater, the Congress of Wonders and "etc. etc. etc. etc."

Condition details: In examining this through the plastic, we see one small pinhole in each of the two upper corners. There's a ¾" diagonal crease in the upper right corner which lightly breaks the black and produces a thin, faint white line. The upper left corner has about a half-inch crease which breaks nothing. There is a vertical crease in the poster's middle which starts right under "State" and goes all the way down to the bottom edge, faintly breaking color in a few spots, but just barely. There are a couple of light brown surface stains in the ‘moonscape' to the left of that crease. A few other minor handling creases are apparent, and there is general toning throughout.


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.