1959 Buddy Holly concert poster sells for world-record $447K

On November 11, a Winter Dance Party poster for a concert featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, dated February 3, 1959 – the day they died together in a plane crash on the way to the show – sold for $447,000 and a new world auction record for any original concert poster. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
On November 11, a Winter Dance Party poster for a concert featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, dated February 3, 1959 – the day they died together in a plane crash on the way to the show – sold for $447,000 and a new world auction record for any original concert poster. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

On November 11, a Winter Dance Party poster for a concert featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, dated February 3, 1959 – the day they died together in a plane crash on the way to the show – sold for $447,000 and a new world auction record for any original concert poster. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

DALLAS – The only known poster that reflects the tragedy known as “The Day the Music Died” became the most-expensive concert poster of all time November 11 when a Winter Dance Party poster from Feb. 3, 1959 sold for a record-setting $447,000 at Heritage Auctions.

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Counterculture marches to its own drum at PBA Galleries, Dec. 1

1967 poster for the Grateful Dead, signed by designer Bob Fried, estimated at $4,000-$6,000
1967 poster for the Grateful Dead, signed by designer Bob Fried, estimated at $4,000-$6,000
1967 poster for the Grateful Dead, estimated at $4,000-$6,000

BERKELEY, Calif. – On Tuesday, December 1, PBA Galleries will host an auction with more than 450 lots of fine literature and ephemera, featuring scarce works from the counterculture and the Beat Generation, plus a large section of rock and psychedelic posters. Also included are editions from Charles Bukowski, many with original artwork, as well as large samplings of the works of Ray Bradbury, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway and other major voices of 20th-century literature. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Star Wars comic strip art leads galaxy of greats at Hake’s, July 26-27

One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – If modern art aficionados could be granted one wish, it might be the discovery of a major, previously unknown Picasso. While Picasso lovers may have a very long wait ahead of them, those who revel in the uniquely imaginative art and imagery of the Star Wars saga just might have their wishes granted on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, when Hake’s auctions six extraordinary artworks from Star Wars’ earliest days. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Beatles concert poster sets new world auction record at Heritage

1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000

DALLAS – The most iconic concert poster of all time is now the most expensive concert poster of all time. On April 16, during Heritage Auctions’ latest Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction, the stunning bright-yellow slab of cardboard promoting the Beatles’ August 23, 1966, concert at New York’s Shea Stadium sold for $275,000 to set a new auction record. That shatters the previous high-water mark of $150,000 shared by both the Shea Stadium poster (set in November) and another advertising Hank Williams’ two concerts scheduled for New Year’s Day 1953 at the Canton Memorial Auditorium in Ohio (established last May).

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Beatles concert poster sells for $150K, ties world auction record

1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $150,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $150,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $150,000

DALLAS — It has always been the most famous concert poster in the world: The Beatles at Shea Stadium, on Aug. 23, 1966. But during Heritage Auctions‘ Nov. 6 Music Memorabilia & Concert Posters Signature® Auction, an example of the bright yellow cardboard advert featuring the Fab Four tied the record for the world’s most expensive concert poster, selling for $150,000.
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Beatles, Hank Williams & Grateful Dead posters headline at Heritage, Nov. 6

In May 2021, a 1953 Hank Williams poster touting an Ohio show that he would not live to play sold for $150,000 and a new world auction record. The November 6 auction contains another copy estimated at $80,000-$120,000.
Exceptionally scarce original concert posters for The Beatles, the Grateful Dead and Hank Williams – examples of which have held the world auction record for the category during the last two years – will all appear in a Nov. 6 auction in Dallas.
Exceptionally scarce original concert posters for The Beatles, the Grateful Dead and Hank Williams – examples of which have held the world auction record for the category during the last two years – have all been consigned to a November 6 auction in Dallas.

DALLAS — During the last two years, The Beatles, Hank Williams and the Grateful Dead have each held the distinction of being the subjects of some of the world’s most expensive concert posters. This weekend, for the first time, the trio of immortals go head-to-head-to-head in a concert-poster auction for the ages. On Nov. 6, Heritage Auctions hosts its latest Music Memorabilia & Concert Posters Signature® Auction, easily the most star-studded event in the auction house’s history, in large part because of the trio of history-makers being offered among the nearly 120 posters available. It will be a race to the top. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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June 25 auction of vintage posters captures essence of great music

Possibly unique 1962 Pete Seeger poster, estimated at $750-$1,500
Possibly unique 1962 Pete Seeger poster, estimated at $750-$1,500
Possibly unique 1962 Pete Seeger poster, estimated at $750-$1,500

NEW YORK – Great rock concerts can be unbelievably great – literally. The experience can be so fantastic that the words flee from your brain as you try to explain it to another who wasn’t lucky enough to be there. But even if you can remember the best show of your life reasonably well, you’ll jump at the chance to own an original poster that advertised it.

On June 25, starting at 8 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will stage a Vintage Psychedelic Rock n Roll Posters auction, featuring 193 lots for performances that date from the 1960s until now. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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