Art of Rock is pleased to offer the concert poster collecting community the opportunity to acquire the finest quality specimen (by a mile!!) of this Acid Test poster to ever be graded by CGC.
Acid Test posters always have…and always will be… considered the “Caviar of Concert Poster Collecting”.
They are a special category of posters that have always held a separate and elevated place in the hearts and minds of collectors, similiar to “Proof Gold” in numismatics and Ferraris in automobile collecting.
There are many reasons for this, not the least of which are unsurpassed rarity and historical importance.
Organized in 1965 and 1966 by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, with music provided by The Grateful Dead, the Acid Tests were LSD fueled multi-media happenings that provided the spark for a full scale counter-culture revolution that transformed our world forever.
There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s take it from the top and review everything in detail.
The “Whatever It Is” Acid Test -
This cardboard poster, measuring 22” x 14”, was created for a three day, multi sensory event held September 30th – October 2, 1966 ,at San Francisco State College.
This poster is designated as AOR 2.188 in Art of Rock. Some specimens of this poster have a small white type written sticker with the names of the performers applied to the front of the poster, designated by CGC as “OP-1”, those without the sticker are designated “OP-2”.
The poster explained the purpose of the event. “Whatever It Is”, was to research “how we can go higher” and promised rock, TV, films, environmental gadgetry, and multi-sensory awareness.
The imagery …a collector favorite… is incredibly psychedelic, perfectly portraying the unconventional nature of the event.
Kesey and the Pranksters were in attendance, broadcasting to the students through a makeshift radio station. The Grateful Dead were the main musical act and their performance can be listened to here.
This Acid Test poster possesses unsurpassed historical importance as a tangible link to the end of an era. Just four days after “Whatever It Is”, on October 6, 1966, acid became illegal!
The Rarity-
It is estimated that far less less than 50 posters were originally created and put up on campus.
Today, this poster is extremely rare and valuable in ANY condition. CGC has graded one specimen 5.5, one specimen 6.5, and two specimens 7.5.
And then there is this mindblowing poster, a virtually flawless Museum Quality specimen graded by CGC 9.8.
This poster is superb in every possible way.
The ink is as fresh and glossy as the day it was created. The corners and edges are sharp and crisp. The eye appeal unimprovable. A true “Wonder Poster” and sight to behold!
We highly recommend that all viewers of this lot click on the photo TWICE so you can enjoy an ultra high def, magnified view of the pristine quality for yourself.
Are there any other Museum Quality Acid Test Posters?
The only other Acid Test posters that CGC has graded 9.0 or higher, are “Can You Pass The Acid Test” posters designated AOR 2.4.
The AOR 2.4 is known by collectors as the “Goldenrod” acid test poster, as it was printed on goldenrod paper.
This issue was printed in quantity, as it was designed for use at several of the other dozen or so Acid Test events.
A space in the lower right corner was left blank, so information could be hand written on the date and location of each event.
Some years back, an unopened printers pack of these posters in Museum Quality condition surfaced and were disbursed.
Not surprisingly, most of the 18 “Goldenrod“ posters CGC has graded are in high grade including: three graded 9.8, five graded 9.4, four graded 9.2, two graded 9.0, two graded 8.5, one 8.0, and one 7.0.
Obviously, this cannot compare to a total of just one 5.5, one 6.5, and two 7.5 “Whatever It Is” specimens graded by CGC.
Nevertheless, the AOR 2.4, like the "Whatever It Is", and all Acid Test posters have always commanded impressive prices including a 9.8 specimen that recently realized $35,000 at auction.
A One of Kind Poster and Opportunity-
Frankly, when we first learned about the possibility this poster exists, we were skeptical. When we first had the opportunity to view it, we could not believe our eyes.
This poster has been held in private hands since its issuance, and is appearing at public auction for the very FIRST time.
This is unquestionably the finest quality non Goldenrod Acid Test poster to ever be graded by CGC. It is also the finest quality non Goldenrod Acid test poster to ever be offered at public auction.
Let that sink in.
No other Acid Test posters, from any other events, come even remotely close to this one in quality.
As such, it represents a singular opportunity for the advanced collector to acquire a CGC graded Acid Test poster of quality, rarity and historical importance that has never, EVER, been offered before in any auction, anywhere!
Estimate: With damaged, ungraded specimens of this poster having commanded over 5 figures at auction, our estimate for this flawless Museum Quality specimen is $30,000 - $60,000.
** A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to the winning bid of this lot.