An original handbill/program used to advertise Bob Dylan’s first-ever concert, at Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York on November 4, 1961.

Billed as Dylan’s “First New York Concert” it was, more accurately, Dylan’s first concert anywhere.  Prior to this show he’d only played club dates and a few guest spots on multi-artist bills.  Dylan arrived in New York on January, 21, 1961 and began playing hoots at clubs like Gerdes Folk City almost immediately.
His first “break” was a two weeks stint opening for blues giant John Lee Hooker at Gerdes in April of that year.  On September 26, Dylan began another two week engagement at the club, opening for the much better known Greenbriar Boys.  Though Dylan was the opening act, New York Times music critic Robert Shelton focused entirely on Dylan in his review of the opening night.  The impact was immediate, and a few days later Dylan was signed to Columbia Records by legendary A&R man John Hammond (who had discovered/signed Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, and later Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Ray Vaughan.)

Five weeks later, Izzy Young of Greenwich Village’s Folklore Center presented Dylan “In His First New York Concert” at Carnegie Chapter Hall, a 200 seat room that was part of the Carnegie Hall complex.  Reportedly only 53 people attended, but it was the start of a touring career that continues today.  Dylan expert Clinton Heylin notes that he sounded “extremely nervous and uncertain of himself,” and performed “Pretty Peggy-O,” “Black Girl (In The Pines),”Gospel Plow,” “1913 Massacre,” “Backwater Blues,” Young But Daily Growin’,” “Fixin’ To Die,” and “This Land is Your Land.”

The handbill / program, an 8 1/2” x 11” sheet printed on both sides and folded in half, was distributed in advance of the show by Izzy Young in an effort to drum up attendance.  It features a ridiculous biographical sketch of Dylan, drawn from an interview he gave to Young.  Dylan exaggerates for effect, claiming he got his start playing in carnivals, was raised in Gallup New Mexico, and was given a scholarship to the University of Minnesota—all completely untrue.

8 1/2″ x 11″ unfolded; in excellent condition with very minor ageing.