Vintage Music Posters
Back in the 1960s there weren't that many ways of finding out which rock groups were coming to your area. You could risk asking your older brother or sister, or you could hope to stumble across a brightly colored and intricately designed rock poster on a nearby telephone pole. Starting in California in the late 1960s, rock posters were a cheap, effective way to promote psychedelic music concerts and it wasn't long before the rock poster, like the music it promoted, evolved into a groundbreaking art form that would have a profound effect on advertising and graphic design.
Often printed in limited editions on heavy stock paper, these posters were an immediate hit and have since become valuable collectibles. Most posters feature a mix of drippy, illegible letters, densely layered backgrounds and eye-popping colors that mimic the effects of psychedelic music and drugs. These important cultural markers are documentation of an era many people remember only through a haze of young rebellion.
Major Cities
San Francisco was a hotbed of counterculture activity (most notably through the Haight-Ashbury district) and it's message of peace, love and rock and roll soon spread to other major cities in America. Most cities had one or two dedicated rock venues and it was these clubs that helped develop the rock poster as an art form.
Notable Artists
Some of these artists had formal training, while others spent time in the Navy or worked their way through college. No matter where they came from, they all brought an intense passion and talent for art and an unwavering belief it it's power to communicate, enthrall and inspire a generation.
Starting a Collection
It's as simple as deciding what you want to collect. You can group your purchases around a music group, a poster artist, a particular venue or even a city. Once you've settled on a theme, there are a few questions you need to ask before making a purchase.
* What kind of condition is it? Are there any rips, tears, scratches or any discoloration?
* Is it an appealing piece? Is it an impressive representation of that particular band or designer?
* Is it an authentic poster and not a reproduction?
And most importantly, do you like it? Is there sentimental value attached to the piece? The most important rule of collecting anything is to buy what you like. Definitely get that 1978 Moby Grape poster from when you saw them at the Fillmore, but don't shell out $1000 because even though you hate the Dead you think you "need" to have that Stanley Mouse handbill to complete your collection.
Related Guides
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Rock Music
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Music Memorabilia
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Memorabilia Display Cases
