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Description

Jackie Brenston, Ike Turner 1951 Seminal "Rocket 88" Concert Poster. An original, large cardboard window card for a 1951 R&B concert that also promoted one of the most important records in rock 'n' roll history - "Rocket 88" as produced by Ike Turner and sung by Jackie Brenston. Many consider "Rocket 88" to be the first Rock 'n' Roll recording. It was released in April 1951, credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Although Brenston did write the song (a re-working of "Cadillac Boogie" by Jimmy Liggins), the song was really recorded by Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm, with new recruit Brenston on vocals. The song was cut at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis. When the single was released Ike Turner was less than pleased to discover that Chess had credited it to Brenston and not him. The song went to #1 on the R&B charts and, the rest, as they say, is history. So this is a very historic and scarce 71-year-old poster. Measures 22" x 28 1/4" and grades to Very Good Minus condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: The board has five vertical tears at the top, averaging 1 ½". One goes into the "4" and breaks color, another goes into the "F" of "Of." There was a heavy vertical crease all along the right-hand side of the poster, missing the "E" in "Dance" but intersecting the "L," "N" and quote mark. The 1 ½" top-to-bottom strip to the right of it is not totally stable and ‘flaps' just a little bit, and the yellow color is of a slightly different hue. The tip of the lower right corner is missing, and the other three corners are very rounded and worn. Present are also a couple of other small, unaddressed edge tears such as through the "GA" in the printer's credit in lower right margin. The verso has a highly unusual reverse image of the black ink used on the concert poster. It's too solid & strong (look at Brenston's picture) to have just been picked up from the previous poster with wet ink, so some step in the printing process created this anomaly that we think is pretty cool.


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
November, 2022
11th-13th Friday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 293

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.

Sold on Nov 12, 2022 for: $2,125.00
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