Iconic CGC-certified Grateful Dead Poster Headlines Heritage Auctions Sale

Dozens of concert posters that have been authenticated and graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) are being offered by Heritage Auctions. Bidding is already underway for the Music Memorabilia Signature Auction, which will be held April 16, 2022.

A top lot in the sale is expected to be a Grateful Dead Skeleton & Roses poster from their show at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom September 16-17, 1966 (lot 89102). CGC authenticated it as an original poster (attributed as an example of catalog number FD-26-OP-1), and then graded it as CGC 9.6.

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Like comic books and trading cards, a lucrative collectibles market has developed around vintage concert posters. In fact, an original example of this same Grateful Dead concert poster graded CGC 9.8 was sold by Heritage Auctions for a world record $118,750 in 2019.

Other CGC-certified highlights in the April 2022 Heritage sale include:

• a Beatles Final Concert, Candlestick Park, August 29, 1966 Original Poster (AOR-1.115-OP-1) graded CGC 9.2 (lot 89161)
• a Grateful Dead, September 23-24, 1966 Original Poster (AOR-2.184-OP-1) graded CGC 8.0 (lot 89112)
• a Howlin’ Wolf, September 23-24, 1966 Original Poster (FD-27-OP-1) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 89103)
• a Zebra Man, September 30-October 1, 1966 Original Poster (FD-28-OP-1) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 89104)
• a 10th Biennial Wilderness Conference, April 7-9, 1967 Original Poster (AOR-2.365-OP-1) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 89122)
• a Pink Floyd, Sound Factory, August 16-17, 1968 Original Poster (AOR-3.19-OP-1) graded CGC 9.6 (lot 89127)

CGC, the world’s leading comic book certification and grading company since 1999, employs a 10-point grading scale for concert posters that is based on the industry standard the company established for comics, magazines and other collectibles. CGC-graded concert posters are inspected by at least two grading professionals to verify its authenticity, and then sealed in tamper-evident holders of a heavy gauge archival plastic. The fully transparent front and back allows complete viewing of the poster and protects from any improper handling or soiling.

CGC currently accepts concert posters from some of the most highly coveted vintage poster series: Bill Graham, Bill Graham Presents, Family Dog, Grande Ballroom, Neon Rose, Art of Rock, New Fillmore Series and Moonalice. Posters must fit within a space 22.5 inches wide by 29.5 inches high.

Learn more at CGC’s concert poster certification services at CGCcomics.com/posters.