When you get tired of looking at all those posters and handbills, how about a book or two on ...well, posters, handbills, and other topics guaranteed to interest the poster collector:
Veeva La Mutation / Copulation, by Lee Conklin, published 1969 or 1970 by Print Mint, Berkeley, CA. This is an oversize 11" x 17" 46-page softbound volume of Conklin's drawings; the covers are done in color (for illustrations of the front and back covers, click here and here) and the inside pages are black and white and feature an assortment of Conklin's drawings in his inimitable style. Some of them will be familiar as they appear on his Filmore posters; others are unpublished elsewhere. Presumably there must have been a low print run on this book, as I have only seen two or three over the years. In other words, scarce. This copy is my former collection copy; as the illustrations show, there a few minor cover nicks on the front but the inside is in excellent condition. Asking $200 for this copy.
The Dead Book, by Hank Harrison, subtitled "A Social History of the Grateful Dead," ORIGINAL SOFTBOUND PRINTING, 1973, with b & w drawing of dragon eating itself. COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL NEAL CASSIDY FLEXI-DISK, "NEAL CASSADY RAPS," very rare in this condition, most of 'em have the disk removed. Condition VG+; intact; some wear to cover, some age marks, diagonal creas in lower corner, 3/4" split at top junction of cover and spine; interior excellent; decent condition overall. Very rare complete example of the first book about the Dead. $125.
Art of Rock, MINI-EDITION, this is a miniature 4" x 4.5" version of Paul Grushkin's groundbreaking book which basically launched the modern poster hobby on the road it is still on today. This miniature image was produced in about 1987 to follow up on the success of the original and as far as I am aware has never been reproduced since then. Approx 350pp; each page illustrates one poster in color; abridged edition so not all the posters are here, but most of the key ones are. Cover is the same as the full sized version. Nice little memento for poster collectors, even if you already have the full size volume. Here's a nice copy, reasonably clean with a hint of wear on the cover, very minor, $25.
Garcia, An American Life, by Blair Jackson (Penguin Viking 1999), 498 pp; hardbound with dust jacket, new condition. Semi-official biography; haven't read this one yet but it is on the list as soon as I get a little free time; well-received book. Publisher's list price $34.95; have unused copy left, $20 postpaid (includes book rate shipping; priority mail shipping $6 extra).
Captain Trips, A Biography of Jerry Garcia, by Sandy Troy (Thunder's Mouth Press 1994), 288pp. Biography of Jerry Garcia with lots of information about his early years, photos, etc., published prior to Jerry's untimely death. A good recap of Jerry's career, nice item for the library of any collector of San Francisco rock posters. First edition, hardbound; hardbound edition now unavailable and out of print. Publisher's list price $22.95, but I have about 9 copies available for $16.50 each postpaid (book rate).
Lennon Remembers: The Rolling Stone Interviews (Straight Arrow Books, San Francisco, 1972); a compendium of interviews done by Rolling Stone Magazine with John and Yoko, as interviewed by Jann Wenner, originally appearing in Rolling Stone Magazine, with some editorial modifications. First Edition, Hardbound, 192 pages. An essential item for any Beatles fan or collector. With dust jacket featuring photo of a bearded Lennon. Volume is good shape with light age; dust jacket has some missing paper on the upper and lower spines, and general age. $32.00.
Light My Fire, My Life with the Doors, by Ray Manzarek (Putnam 1998), 352 pp; hardbound. Ray Manzarek's observations on life with the Doors; have 2 new hardbound copies available for $17.50 each postpaid (book rate) (*)
John Mayall, Blues Breaker, by Richard Newman (1995, Castle Communications), 186 pp paperbound; with nice color vintage photo off long-haired Mayall singing at a mike. I have to say I was excited when I found this book as I was hoping for some illumination of Mayall's mysterious early formative years; however, the book seems like mostly a paen to Eric Clapton and Peter Green, although it does have a good basic exposition on the development of the early 60s British blues scene, with Cyril Davies, Alexis Korner, and so on. Doesn't relly break any new ground in this regard, but it is a decent refresher course on the basic topic. Also contains a transcription of an early 80s or earlier interview with a still-lucid Peter Green which I found interesting. Passing this along to someone else at my cost, $5.
Still Eatin' It , by Dana Crumb and illustrated by R. Crumb ( 1996) 114 page softbound recipe book, the sequel to her 1970s version, great color cover and lots of b & w cartoon illustrations by Crumb on the inside, and some fun recipies and good reading too, softbound $8.50. (*)
The Underground Comix Family Album (first edition 1998), 120pp softbound publication that a photo and a brief bio of most of the major artists who were associated with the underground comix movement. Each artist gets a 1-page bio and a 1-page photo. Many if not nearly all of the artists will be familiar to poster collectors, including Rick Griffin, R. Crumb, Greg Irons, Dave Sheridan, Dan O'Neill, and many others. Light cover wear, otherwise clean $12.00
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, "Endless Life: Selected Poems," paperback New Directions Publishing, second edition circa 1981, SIGNED BY FERLINGHETTI ON FIRST PAGE. Average wear, light cover corner crease and slight cover age. I'm not really a book collector so please feel free to ask any questions. Nice autographed item from one of the founding fathers of the San Francisco Beat Movement, $58.
Check these out; worth a look some very early, RARE issues here!!
Avant Garde Magazine, Issue #6 (1969), B & W photo of side view of nude pregnant woman on front, inside article on Phil Ochs, etc etc. VG+, $ 7.00.
Avant Garde Magazine, Issue #7 (1969), interesting color cover with a woman, a black man, and a long haired white guy marching along like the famous Yankee Doodle image of a fife and drum corps; article by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas on the appeal of folk singing; Jerry Rubin article, more. VG/VG+; diagonal corner crease on front cover, otherwise OK, $7.
Avant Garde Magazine, Issue #8 (1969), special issue devoted to "series of erotic gravures by Pablo Picasso," nice NM $10.
Look Magazine, 6/28/1966 cover date, this is an issue focused on California, "a new game with new rules," not a rock and roll or counterculture issue per se, but all about what the editors perceive about the California lifestyle articles on Berkeley, Watts, technology, attitudes, etc. Sadly it does not deal with 1966 music issues or show posters, but nevertheless and interesting vintage look at California life, from what strikes me as a somewhat east coast perspective. Interesting nevertheless. Have not had a copy of this before. A bit of wear to cover, and a mailing sticker on front, average wear but not too bad and definitely readable, $12.
Life Magazine, 8/28/1964 cover date, well known issue with color cover portrait of the Beatles in suites and ties, smiling. Classic early photo of the Beatles dressed in matching suite and smiling. Cover caption: "The Beatles: They're Here Again and What a Ruckus"; address label in lower LH corner; otherwise in excellent condition, great item for any music collector, $ 45.00.
Life Magazine, 4/26/1971 cover date, Nice cover head-shot B & W photo of an unsmiling Paul and Linda McCartney with faces together, with headline "Paul McCartney -- The Ex-Beatle Tells His Story," with inside article based on McCartney interview wherein he discusses the Beatles breakup, his suit against Apple and the rest of the band, and other stuff. Probably no new content here, as this topic has been analyzed so much in the intervening years, but nevertheless a nice original copy of this famous issue, nice, clean copy with original Life subscription mailing label on the front, $20.
Saturday Evening Post, 8/27/1966 cover date, color cover photo of the Beatles dressed up in elegant matador outfits; address label in lower RH corner, otherwise in nice condition; nice cover $35.
Ramparts Magazine, Aug. 1972; contains article/review of the Rolling Stones circa 1972; also extensive article by Tom Hayden on the state of the Vietnam War at that point in time; VG+; light wear but overall in very good condition, $12.
Berkeley Barb, vo1 14, No 2, 1/14-20/1972, Issue focusing on Joseph Alioto taking over as mayor of San Francisco; usual political stuff that typified the Barb at this time, basically in good shape, usual yellowing and light fraying on some of the inner pages from careless re- folding, one small tear in center of cover but all paper is present; $10.00.
Berkeley Tribe, vol. 3, No. 11 (issue #63), 9/16-26/1970, another radical counterculture newspaper from Berkeley, like the barb, nice B & W cover by one Ted Richards with lettering somewhat reminiscent of Randy Tuten, $12.00
Rock Magazine, fairly early music magazine in foldover format like vintage Rolling Stone, but more focused on just music.
Trouser Press Collectors' Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2, Nov/Dec 1978; early record collector's magazine; newspaper-type format; feature article on "colored vinyl--a chronological survey." 2 copies, nice condition, slight paper age but clean, $3.00 each. (*)
Aardvark Papers #1, 1970, underground comix magazine published in Salt Lake City, Utah; underground comic tabloid featuring black and white artwork by Rob Brown (artist of the 1970 Salt Lake City Pink Floyd, Traffic, Moody Blues concert posters, as well as plenty of late 60s Berkeley Barb covers & comix, Yellow Dog #15, Promethean Enterprises with Griffin, Moscoso, Irons, Shubb, etc.), Neil Passey (created a huge number of SLC concert posters along with a few illos in Promethean Enterprises #3, etc.), Pat Eddington (front and back covers), Mike Evans, Al Davoren (Promethean Enterprises, etc.) and others...- Aging in the paper, otherwise clean; first / only printing, only 2,000 or so printed. NM $ 75.00.
Vedette Rock, Vol. 1, No 5 (10/78), French Rock Magazine with articles in French on Alice Cooper, Clapton, Johnny Cash, Yes, UK ... $8.00
Record World magazine, 12/20/80 cover date; features color cover of John Lennon 1940-80; published very soon after his death, $4.50.
City Miner Magazine (Berkeley, CA), Vol. 3, #1 (Issue #8), 1978, fairly short-lived and obscure music/culture magazine out of Berkeley; this issue is cool because it has Country Joe McDonald on the cover and contains an exclusive interview with Joe as well as the usual bits about the music/cultural scene in the East Bay at the time. Neat item the first one of these periodicals that I have had, very nice VG++ condition, $12.00.
Guitar Player Magazine
This newspaper/pulp magazine operated in San Francisco for a couple of years from 1968 to 1970; started as the Express Times and changed itself to Good Times later on. Started as a counterculture type paper with info on local happenings, political events, and music; got more political/radical as it evolved into a more typical radical publication. Not all that common; here is a nice run of them for underground newspaper fan:
Dupree's Diamond News, #33 (spring 1996), 87 page slick magazine dedicated to Grateful Dead related news, $9.
Thunder Road, Vol. I, Number II, Nov. 1978; early Springsteen fanzine; B & W magazine format with photos; probably had a pretty limited distribution; nice clean copy $10.
Backstreets Magazine, magazine devoted to Bruce Springsteen, loads of articles and pix on the Boss. Have the following issues available; your choice $6 each:
Relix Magazine, back issues your choice $6.00 each except as noted. These are in really nice condition from an old collection:
Strange Things Happening, Vol. 1, No 2 (June 1988) UK music magazine with feature article on Iggy & the Stooges, also Giant Sand, The Shamen, Richard Brautigan, Wire, others, record reviews, the usual. Nice magazine, interesting and well done, clean with minimal wear, $12.
Kulture, Vol. 1, No. 2, (San Diego-based, mid learning1990s). Interesting locally produced magazine with lots of color and graphics; Iggy Pop cover with articles on Iggy, Combustible Edison, Meat Puppets, others. Don't think this mag lasted very long; nice interesting item, $10.
"Silverado News," v. 1 #1 (spring 1987), and "The Silverado Express" V. 1 # 1 (summer 1986), fanzines for Terry & the Pirates and John Cipollina, fairly crude with the usual bits of info on these artists; B & W, bit of paper age on brown cover, sold as a set only, probably pretty scarce, $7.00.
City Paper (Pittsburgh, PA) Vol 5, Issue #26 (6/28-7/7/1995), local Pittsburgh news & entertainment free paper, featuring article on the Grateful Dead who were playing some summer tour gigs in Pittsburgh at the time; nice color Dead-themed cover with a pseudo-poster for the gig and articles on the Dead's 30th anniversary tour; interesting perspective from another part of the country; good condition with minor paper discoloration, $10.
Southland Blues magazine, V 8 #7 (June 1997) local blues mag with cover photo of "Bay Area guitar hero" Tommy Castro, $5.00
Southland Blues magazine, V 8 #9 (Sept. 1997) local blues mag with cover photo of Texas guitar singer Long John Hunter, $5.00.
Blue Suede News, V2 #2 (April 1987), roots rock mag from the Pacific Northwest; blues and rock calendars for the month, feature article on the Neville Brothers, others on the Ducks, Sun Jay records, whatever. NM $5.00
Living Blues magazine, V 2 #5 (Sept. 1971); early issue of this respected blues magazine with B & W cover photo of the great Lowell Fulson; articles on Skip James, Robert Johnson, King Biscuit Time, and Pepper's Lounge; very nice condition, $20.
Marin Magazine, vol. 11 #7 (July 2015), this is a local newsstand/grocery store magazine focused on Marin County; special Grateful Dead 50th anniversary tribute issue; other articles relevant to Marin; sold locally, nice NM issue $10.
"Biggest Rock and Roll Show of 56," presented by Super Attraction, featuring early R & R pioneers including Bill Haley & the Comets, the Platters, Clyde Mc Phatter, La Vern Baker, Joe Turner, The Teenagers featuring Frankie Lymon, The Teen Queens, Bo Diddley, the Drifters, and others; 24-pp souvenir program with photos and bios of all the artists, plus color cardboard coves with photos, great images and graphics and in excellent condition, asking $100. For illustrations, click here, here, here, and here.
Show of Stars, San Quentin Prison, 1960, featuring Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two(!) and a number of local musicians of various genres. 8" x 9" 16-page program for this annual event. Nice blue and purple cover with drawing of searchlights beaming up for from the prison. For illustrations, click here, here, here, and here. This is an early, unique, and undoubtedly very rare item. SPECIAL ADDED BONUS: A ticket to the San Quentin Tour Dinner and Show, on 11/20/1957 (see illustration). Condition of program is good; minor staining on cover, inside is in excellent shape, as is the ticket. Asking $100 for the set; once again, this is extremely rare.
Herman's Hermits, 1966 Tour Book, 28 pp tour book for 1966 tour, 12 x 12 color covers with the usual black and white photos and add information included along with it, includes torn off TICKET STUB for show at San Jose Civic Auditorium on 7/2/1966! Tape marks in upper corner of front cover where original owner taped the ticket stub on to it, otherwise VG+ or so overall, $25. this very local benefit featuring one of Marin's best known resident bands, 7 NM copies available, $20.00 each. (*)
Jerry Garcia Band, 10/15/87, Lunt-Fontaine Theatre, Broadway, New York; "Playbill" theatre program for this famous round of "Jerry Garcia on Broadway" shows; cover has photo of Garcia dressed in Magician's robes and a guitar neck rising from a hat; inside has info on the band, and other NY theatre articles; nice and popular Garcia collectible, NM condition, $50.
Press book for the movie Celebration at Big Sur (1971) featuring Joan Baez, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian, and others. 8.5" x 14", folds out to about 22" x 28"; with photos of the performers, marketing material for the movie, other interesting stuff. Scarce, interesting item $20.
Press book for the movie Last Days of the Fillmore (1972) 8.5" x 14", B & W with front page illustration of the art used for the poster foe the movie; folds open to about 22" x 28" with lots of articles about the movie and the bands, and illustrations of the posters accessories for the film, apparently available for exhibiting movie theaters. Very scarce, cool item in excellent condition, $30.
Beatles, USA Limited 1965 Tour Program, 30 pages (incl. covers), black border on front cover with color photo of the band; I am not a Beatles expert by any means so this is identified based on internet sources; I don't know whether or not this was ever reprinted or bootlegged, can't find anything on line saying that it was ever reprinted, but it has the look and feel of the real thing, condition would be a solid VG+ with light edge wear on the covers, otherwise clean. Cool item, asking $45,
Paul McCartney, World Tour 1989, this is actually more like a magazine than a traditional tour book, almost 100 pages of text, ads, photos, much more meat in this than the typical tour book, copy is used, looks like it has been read a bit, with cover wear and some minor cover creases; 3 copies NM/NM-; $10. (*)
The Rolling Stones, 1973 Tour in Hawaii; tour book with front cover of airbrushed tropical clouds, sky and palm trees; inside the usual photos typical in souvenir tour books. This one must be a fairly uncommon tour book as the Stones played only a few gigs in Hawaii in 1973; 2 copies left, 1 NM $35, 1 with a bit of cover wear and a scuff line on cover, otherwise clean, $17. (*)
Rolling Stones, 1975 Tour of the Americas, nice 9" x 14" 28-page tour program, color cover with great photo of Mick at the mike, back cover with the tour logo of a flying eagle with jet engines; black and white photos and tour info inside; one pinhole through top of program, couple of little dirt smudges on the back, otherwise clean, nice mid-70's Stones tour item, $15.
The Rolling Stones in Concert, 1982, by Linda Martin (Crescent Books); Hardcover book of photos of the Stones from all their various periods in chronological order, arranged by time period; many nice photos, with text, list of concert tours since the beginning, and a discography. Nice hardbound volume, excellent shape, $16.00.
Bob Dylan and Santana, Europe 1984 tour program, nice 9.5" x 13" 28 page tour book with lots of photos of the artists by Jim Marshall and other photographers, some text, list of tour dates, etc. Nice cover credited to David Costa but very reminiscent of David Singer's style, Minor age shading along lower edge of front cover, otherewise very clean, $14.50.
Ronnie Lane appeal for ARMS, North American Tour 1983, nice 9.25" x 14" 24 pp glossy color program for these multpile sclerosis benefit tours that featured Lane, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Page, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Joe Cocker, and others-- shows were held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Very nice program for this all star group, $20.
Yes, 1980 "Yesshows" Tour (US/Canada/UK), 24 page color program with Roger Dean lettering on cover and scene of desert in purple shades with light beige rocks jutting in distance, NM $12.
Yes, 1984, North American Tour, 20-pp color program with brick red color and blue map of US, nice program, NM- $15.
Genesis, 1983-84, "The Mama Tour," US, nice color 24-page full color program, NM- condition, $12.
Phil Collins, 1985, "No Jacket Required" Tour, World Tour, 30-pp color program, mostly color, NM-/VG+ very slight cover wear, $10.
Moody Blues, 1979(?) (Possibly 78 or 80), "Octave" Tour; color/b&w 20 pp tour book with photo of band on cover, inside notes 30-city tour in support of "Octave" LP but does not give dates or cities. NM- $12.
Journey, 1981 "Escape" Tour, Japanese-Language version, 30 pp, mostly b & w inside with some color, great cover art by Kelley & Mouse, NM- $25.
Steve Miller Band, 1977 tour book, 40 pp with color cover color by Kelley & Mouse featuring the famous "Pegasus" design, inside with lots of photos, partial diagonal cover crease in lower RH corner, $10.
J. Geils Band, Freeze Frame Tour, 1981, 24-pp. oversize tour book for this tour at the peak of this band's popularity. Nice color cover with film strip theme., NM- $12.
Bruce Springsteen, World Tour 1984-1985, 9 x 12 32 page color program with the usual tour info, photos of the Boss knockin' 'em dead, and so on. Nice condition, $12.50.
Bruce Springsteen, 1984, "Born in the USA Tour," nice oversize 30 pp tour book for this famous tour; cover with photo of jumping Springsteen over an American Flag background, inside mixed color/B & W with text detailing chronology of the band, $15.
Bruce Springsteen, Visions of America, by Adam Sweeting, 1985; another softcover 62-pp trade publication, in softcover format; bios, photos of the Boss. $5.00.
The Boss, A Special Souvenir Tribute to Bruce Springsteen, circa 1985; still another softbound souvenir-type publication with bio information, color photos, nice high quality stock; British publication, very nice NM condition $7.00.
"Heroes of Rock and Roll" TV special, 1979, this is an 8-sheet 8.5 x 11" blue, black and white program on stiff cardboard that publicized a TV special hosted by Jeff Bridges on ABC-TV on 2/9/1979, with photos of the greats from Berry to Bowie...probably some kind of a promo item. NM $6.00.
Rolling Stones, 1965, original sheet music for "I Can't Get No Satifaction," great blue and black cover with photos of all the original Stones, including Brian Jones. List price 75 cents, so an early printing in absolutely beautiful condition, NM/NM- $50.
Joni Mitchell/Crosby Stills Nash & Young, 1969-70, original sheet music for "Woodstock" as performed by CSNY; nice ohoto of CSNY on the front; 3-hole punched for inclusion in a music binder; otherwise average age, nice remembrance of the original Woodstock festival, $12.00
Led Zeppelin, 1972, original sheet music for "Stairway to Heaven," full complete, has blue cover with photo of each member of Zeppelin. Great Zepp item. Unfortunately it has 3 holes drilled at LH for insertion into a 3-ring binder; not sure whether or not it came that way but probably not, otherwise excellent condition. $50.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1974 softbound music volume containing "complete music from two albums," nice NM $8.00.
Doobie Brothers, 1973, original sheet music for "Long Train Runnin'" VG/VG+ with some general age; some one has added some musical annotations on the music in pencil which could be erased if desired, I suppose, but it is kind of interesting as is. Asking $7.
Fleedwood Mac, 1982, original sheet music for "Hold Me"; color portrait of band by Lindsey Buckingham from a band photo, NM; 3 copies available $5 each. (*)
Stevie Nicks, 1986, original sheet music for "I Can't Wait" featuring a turquoise cover with a B & W photo of Stevie with big hair singing aggressively into a microphone, 2 NM copies $5 each. (*)
Fleetwood Mac, 1987, original sheet music for "Seven Wonders," odd color photo of the band on the front; NM condition, $5.
Yazoo Records catalog - "The Most Comprehensive Collection of Historical Acoustic Blues." Original issue (circa early 90's to 1993); 8 3/8" x 10 27/32" with 20 pages of slick paper. Front cover features five or six R. Crumb acoustic blues LP covers in full color along with several non-Crumb acoustic blues covers, deep blue background / border. Interior black and white pages includes many LP covers with artwork by Robert Crumb (R. Crumb) along with plenty of black and white photos of the blues greats Charley Patton, Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, Bo Cart, Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Furry Lewis, Blind Boy Fuller, Charlie Patton, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Tampa Red, Ma Rainey, Albert King, etc. Would be a nice addition to the library of a country blues fan or record collector; nice NM $20.
Firesign Theatre, circa 1993, flyer/program from their 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour; 5 x 7 B & W 4-page foldover; front cover has a drawing of the 4 of them dressed up like animals; inside has program info and ads for Bear Whiz Beer, Loosner's Castor Oil Flakes, Ralph Spoilsport Motors, and other legendary figures from the Firesign Theatre. 2 copies NM- $6.00 each (*)
Monster Company, 1973-75; this was Stanley Mouse's T-Shirt company through which he produced and sold his fantastic early T-Shirt designs. For a couple of years, Monster issued catalogs with color illustrations of the shirts offered; these are cool mini- compendiums of Stanley's T-Shirt designs. 1973 full size catalog, NM $7.00 (Catalog #2) (*)
Steve Miller, 1988, program/flyer for "Born 2B Blue" tour; color with photo of Miller in suit and tie playing guitar on cover; lotsa info, ads, and tour dates inside. Very commercial. VG/VG+ $1.25.
Original Artwork by famous rock and roll/psychedelic artists
Posters--Bill Graham and Miscellaneous Fillmore Auditorium
Posters--Family Dog and Related
Posters--Miscellaneous California (1960's and early '70's)
Posters--Miscellaneous Non-California (1960's and early '70's)
Posters --More Recent Stuff (late 1970's to the present)
Handbills--Bill Graham and Miscellaneous Fillmore Auditorium
Handbills--Family Dog and Related
Handbills--Miscellaneous California (1960's and early '70's)
Handbills--Miscellaneous Non-California (1960's and early '70's)
