The Collector’s Guide to Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

The Collector’s Guide to Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters is the perfect resource for collectors and music fans alike. This site provides an in-depth look at the history and evolution of psychedelic rock concert posters.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock concert posters are highly collectible items, fetching high prices at auction and in private sales. Many collectors focus on a specific artist or band, while others try to assemble a comprehensive collection of all the different designs and styles of psychedelic rock posters.

There is no one right way to collect psychedelic rock concert posters. Some collectors focus on a specific artist or band, while others try to assemble a comprehensive collection of all the different designs and styles of psychedelic rock posters. The most important thing is that you collect what you enjoy and what has personal meaning for you.

Psychedelic rock concert posters were originally created as advertisements for live music events, and most collectors seek out posters from specific shows that they attended or have a personal connection to. These types of posters are often highly prized by collectors and can be very valuable.

Some collectors focus on collecting rare and valuable posters, while others prefer to assemble a more diverse collection of less expensive items. It is important to remember that the value of any given poster depends on many factors, including its rarity, condition, provenance, and desirability among collectors. As with any type of collecting, it is important to do your research before making any major purchases.

The History of Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

Psychedelic rock concert posters emerged in the early 1960s as a way to advertise concerts and promote the artists playing at them. The style of these posters was heavily influenced by the psychedelic art movement of the time, which featured bold colors and patterns. The first psychedelic rock concert poster was designed for a show by the band The Grateful Dead in 1966.

The San Francisco Scene

The San Francisco scene was the nexus of activity for psychedelic concert poster art in the United States during the 1960s. Because of the size of the city and its proximity to Haight-Ashbury, as well as the fact that San Francisco was already a mecca for musicians and music lovers, it was only natural that the scene would develop there.

Some of the most iconic posters in Psychedelic Rock Concert Poster history were created for shows in San Francisco, including Bill Graham’s Fillmore and Avalon Ballroom concerts. The artists who created these posters, such as Stanley Mouse, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson, became household names among music fans.

While there were many other hotbeds of activity for psychedelic concert posters (New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.), San Francisco will always be seen as the epicenter of this unique and important aspect of rock ‘n’ roll history.

The Haight-Ashbury Scene

The Haight-Ashbury scene was the epicenter of the psychedelic rock concert poster movement. The psychedelic posters that were designed and produced for concerts in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco during the 1960s are some of the most highly sought after and collectible concert posters today.

The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and other music legends played at venues like the Fillmore West and the Avalon Ballroom, which were advertised with mind-bendingly creative posters by artists like Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson.

These groundbreaking artists pushed the boundaries of graphic design with their use of color, typefaces, and imagery, creating visually arresting posters that perfectly captured the spirit of the times. The psychedelic rock concert posters of the 1960s remain some of the most iconic and iconic artwork of that era.

The Design of Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

Psychedelic rock concert posters are some of the most iconic and recognizable designs of the 20th century. From the Trafalgar Square Paintings to theFillmore posters, these designs have come to define an era. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous psychedelic rock concert posters and the stories behind them.

The Visual Elements

The posters advertising these shows were an important part of the Psychedelic Rock concert experience. The concert promoters and rock bands utilized the posters to not only advertise the events, but also to visually capture the spirit of the Psychedelic movement. The most iconic Psychedelic Rock posters were designed by a small group of artists who became known as the “Big Five” of Psychedelic poster art: Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Rick Griffin, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson.

The visual elements used in these posters were inspired by the art nouveau style popular in Europe at the turn of the 20th century. The artists relied heavily on geometric shapes and organic forms to create their images. They also incorporated psychedelic imagery, such as swirling colors and patterns, into their work.

The posters were typically printed in bright colors on heavy paper stock. They were often distributed for free at music stores and coffeehouses in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, which was ground zero for the Psychedelic Rock scene.

The visual elements of these posters helped to create an immersive experience for concertgoers. They conveyed a sense of excitement and anticipation for the event, and they gave people a taste of what they could expect to see and hear at the show. For many people, these posters became collectible items that served as a reminder of a particular time and place in history.

The Typography

The design of psychedelic rock concert posters is characterized by bright colors, intricate patterns, and often, IN YOUR FACE letters. The style is meant to be visually arresting, and to reflect the energy and excitement of the performances.

The vast majority of psychedelic rock concert posters were created using the medium of serigraphy, or screen printing. This printing process allows for a high degree of detail and color separation, making it ideal for creating complex designs. In addition, screen printing is a relatively easy and inexpensive printing method, which made it popular with grassroots concert promoters who were working on a tight budget.

The psychedelic rock concert poster artists of the 1960s were heavily influenced by the work of early 20th century graphic designers such as Josef Muller-Brockmann and Herbert Matter. They also drew inspiration from popular culture sources such as comic books, advertising, andPop art. In particular, the work of Andy Warhol had a significant impact on the style of psychedelic rock concert posters.

The Printing of Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

The printing of psychedelic rock concert posters began in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1960s. The first known psychedelic rock concert poster was created for a 1966 concert by the San Francisco band The Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead’s concert posters were printed by Victor Moscoso, who is considered to be the father of psychedelic poster art.

The Screen-Printing Process

The screen-printing process begins with the preparation of the screen printing frame. A fine mesh is stretched over the frame, and then a stencil of the desired image is placed on top of the mesh. The stencil has small openings that allow ink to pass through to the surface below when the screen is pressed onto it.

After the screen is placed on top of the stencil, ink is applied to the top side of the screen. The ink then passes through the openings in the stencil and onto the surface below. As the ink passes through, it leaves a copy of the image on the surface.

This process can be repeated multiple times to create multi-colored images. To do this, each color is printed one at a time, using a different screen for each color. When printing multiple colors, it is important to print them in order from lightest to darkest. Otherwise, the darker inks will obscure the lighter ones.

The Lithography Process

Lithography was the primary printing process used for large format psychedelic rock posters in the 1960s. The process begins with a surface that has been treated so that it repels water but is attracted to oil-based inks. An image is drawn on the surface with a greasy medium such as a crayon or felt-tipped pen, and then dampened so that only the ink-receptive areas of the surface will accept the printing ink.

The inked surface is then brought into contact with a sheet of paper, and both are run through a pair of rollers that press the paper onto the inked image and transfer it to the paper. After printing, the lithograph is allowed to dry before being cut into individual posters.

Lithography was first developed in 1796 by German inventor Alois Senefelder as a method for printing local news on inexpensive paper. By the mid-19th century, lithography had become an important commercial printing process, and by the 20th century it was being used for a wide variety of applications including books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and advertisements.

The Collecting of Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

Psychedelic rock concert posters are a medium through which the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s expressed itself. The posters were often brightly colored and featured trippy, otherworldly images. They promoted peace, love, and freedom, and they were often put up in college campuses and public places to advertise upcoming shows.

Where to Find Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

Psychedelic rock concert posters can be found in a variety of places. The most obvious place to start your search is at the venue where the concert took place. Many times, the venue will have a box office or Will Call window where posters from past shows are sold. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find a poster from the show you attended!

Another great source for psychedelic rock concert posters is online auction sites like eBay. You can often find posters that were never sold at the venue, or find rare and collectible posters that fetch high prices. Be sure to do your research before bidding, as prices can vary widely.

There are also a number of companies that specialize in selling vintage concert posters. These businesses usually have an online presence, and can be a great resource if you’re looking for hard-to-find posters.

Finally, don’t forget to check your local record store or music shop. Many times these businesses will sell old concert posters, or know of someone who does. Networking with other collectors is a great way to find rare and sought-after items.

How to Care for Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters

Psychedelic rock concert posters are highly collectible items that can be quite valuable. However, these fragile pieces of history need to be properly cared for in order to maintain their condition and value. With a few simple tips, you can ensure that your collection of psychedelic rock concert posters will be around for many years to come.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when caring for psychedelic rock concert posters is that they are susceptible to light damage. ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause colors to fade and paper to deteriorate. Therefore, it is important to store these items in a cool, dark place where they will not be exposed to sunlight. If you must display your posters, do so in an area that is not directly exposed to sunlight or fluorescent lighting.

Another thing to keep in mind when handling psychedelic rock concert posters is that they can be delicate and easily damaged. Avoid touching the surface of the poster with your fingers as the oils from your skin can cause colors to run or bleed. If you must handle a poster, do so by the edges or by using clean white cotton gloves. When cleaning a poster, use only a soft, dry cloth and avoid using any cleaning solutions as these can damage the paper.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your collection of psychedelic rock concert posters remains in pristine condition for many years to come.

Conclusion

While the posters in this guide are by no means the only important or collectible psychedelic rock concert posters, they are a great starting point for anyone interested in building a collection. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find examples of each of these poster designs (and many more) for sale online or at collectible shows.

As always, be sure to consult experienced collectors and dealers before making any major purchases, and never buy anything without seeing it in person first. With a little effort, you can find some amazing posters at reasonable prices— and have a lot of fun doing it!