A set of five identical issues of The Musical News, the newspaper of the San Francisco Musician’s Union, individually addressed to Janis Joplin (here “Janis Lyn Joplin”) and her bandmates in Big Brother and the Holding Company: Peter Scott Albin, James M. Gurley, Sam Andrew, and David Getz.

The newspapers, dated October/November 1967 (four months after Big Brother’s breakthrough performance at the Monterey Pop Festival), were all sent to the same address, 54 Martha Ave. in San Francisco (likely the office of their manager Julius Karpen; the address shows up in a similarly dated Billboard Magazine as the office of Quicksilver Messenger Service manager Ron Polte.)

The newspaper gives a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the music business in San Francisco just after the Summer of Love.  Included are local news, minutes from the board of directors meetings, a list of applications for membership (including James Cooke and Tim Davis of the Steve Miller Band and David and Tina Meltzer of the Serpent Power,) a list of new bookings (Steve Miller at the Matrix, George Duke at the Half Note,) musicians fined by the Union (Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane, George Hunter of the Charlatans,) and advertisements for instruments, services, and much more.

From the collection of Big Brother’s early manager, Julius Karpen (1935-2021). With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

Each issue 11 1/2″ x 16 1/2″, 8 pages, two horizontal mailing folds.  Toned but otherwise in excellent condition.