A unique artifact of the 1960’s and Rick Griffin–a first printing of Rick Griffin’s first psychedelic poster, the Psychedelic Shop/Jook Savages Art Show poster, but this copy was sent by one of the Jook Savages to San Francisco Chronicle music critic Ralph J. Gleason at the time of the Savages Art Show at the Psychedelic Shop (see below for the whole story). The story of this poster is legendary; while going to the printer with the artwork Griffin ran into the organizers of the Human Be-In, who hired him on the spot to design a poster for their event, and the rest was history.

We acquired this poster from the archive of the late Ralph J. Gleason (1917-1975), on of the most influential music critics of all time. He was a central figure in the San Francisco rock scene, helped organize the Monterey Pop Festival, and co-founded Rolling Stone Magazine. Bill Graham himself credited Gleason with suggesting to him the Fillmore Auditorium as a site for concerts, while the Family Dog met with Gleason at his home to discuss their idea to stage dance concerts, prior to their first show.

This poster was folded horizontally (there are 33 horizontal creases, long flattened) and stapled shut, and sent to Gleason by “Bob”, evidently one of the Jook Savages, who addressed it and wrote on the back “Dear Ralph, Now here’s what a bunch of retired musicians can do. Dig it man, it’s outasite. Best, Bob” who also wrote “P.S. See You Next Year, B.” The poster is postmarked January 14, 1967, but Bob probably wrote his message before the end of the year.

The poster is in VG++ condition, with a small hole from where the staple was removed, to the right of the buffalo in the circle–it’s about 1/2″ long and 1/8″ wide at it’s widest, but barely noticeable because of the ornate design. This has the union bug and “Double-H” printing line designating it as a first printing.

An extremely rare poster, with a great history, postmarked and sent by a show participant to one of the most important people in the San Francisco scene.

14″ X 20″