FREQUENTLEY ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE
"PROFESSOR"
As the E-MAIL
continues to roll in day after day, I find many of the citizens of
Posterville are curious about similar things....as expected! So in order to
speed things up abit, and cut the time factor for those waiting for an
answer from the "Prof", I thought that this chapter might be helpful to
y'all!! Now don't get me wrong, I love hearing from as many of my
poster-pals as are out there! So please keep that e-mail fly'in
in!!
WHAT MAKES YOU, "PROFESSOR
POSTER"?
This name was given to
me by Wes Wilson. He is considered by most serious collectors of "ROCK
POSTERS" as the father of psychedelic lettering and poster art. He has said
about me, that I have a P.H.D. in "POSTEROLOGY". From where? Why the
University of Posterville of course.
Over the years, I have found that the hobby of collecting posters has
become far more complicated and somewhat cut-throat since it's began. The
days of innosence are gone but not forgotten. (in Posterville anyway)
What
with the many printings that some posters have had, not-to-mention the
counterfiets and bootlegs that are floating around, it is often difficult
to know exactly what it is you may have. Because of values ($$$$$), many
things about collecting posters have changed. It is easy to be fooled
and led down the perverbial path by sharks, dressed like wolves, that bite
like snakes!! In many cases, people are taken for their $, or posters and
is no one is out there to help protect and educate the people to this
fact . This is indeed unfortunate. Therefore, I have chosen to (whenever
possible) champion of the people, and help protect as many fellow-citizens
of Posterville that I can from such a fate. Through this desire I have
made numerious friends world wide and am honored by the graditude and
respect that has been returned by so many. It has blown my mind when I
receive guests that have traveled from places both far and near to visit me
here in the archives of "Posterville" ! I am truely humbled.
SO WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO?
I am an archivest and historian of the period of psychedelic
rock posters (1965-present day.) specializing in San Francisco's Avalon
Ballroom and The Family Dog as well as Bill Grahams Fillmore Auditorium,
Winterland and the many other venues that brought the rock poster to
notority. I believe if you take the time to check out the Posterville
website at length, you will see just what it is that I am and do., (And it
does take awhile to go through it all, but worth it if you are at all
interested in this field and subject matter)
DO YOU HAVE POSTERS THEN?
You better believe it mfriend. However there are
literally tens of thousands of posters that have been done over the past
thirty years from every corner of this wonderful world of ours and NOBODY
has 'em all! It is difficult to keep up with everything that is coming out
these days not to mention the pieces from the past that have gained in
value to the tune of thousands of dollars in some cases. Still, I do have
more than I could count. Probably posters by that pound would be
easier!
DO YOU HAVE ANY (fill in the blank),
POSTERS?
Tell me, do you know anyone
that knows "ALL" of the groups that have been ? and that are playing today?
Don't think so.... Now if there is anything that I might be able to do
for you, let me know. Enjoy what took me many hours to put together for
you.... and take your time to scope it all out...... Believe me you
won't be wasting your time.
Hell, you may find that your old-age pension is hiding in that hallway
closet or up inthe attic in an old cardboard tube!!
DO YOU HAVE A CATALOG THAT YOU CAN SEND ME
?
There are just far too many posters and other related items to try to list
in a catalog. Besides, stuff comes and goes outta here faster than traffic
at a "DEAD" concert !!! I would spend most of my awake hours behind a
keyboard if I were even to attempt such a task! And so if you can be more
specific in just what it is that you are interested in, I might be able to
help find it, if I don't have it waiting for you already. Remember, it
is far eaiser for the Professor to locate that certain one you have in mind
if you have a little more information other than just the groups name, and
place they played. Do you know how many times the DEAD played the
Fillmore? Get my point?! The number of the poster in a paticular series
(Avalon Ballroom- Fillmore etc.) is usually at the bottom of the piece
somewhere. Look carefully as it is sometimes hard to find. Some early
posters don't have the numbers so don't bust yer brain if you don't see it
first or second time around! The date and year of the gig is always
there! Another important fact to consider is where is your poster
"budget" at! What with the rarity of some items and the supply and demand
isue, some pieces can get abit pricey to say the least! I don't see any
reason for us to spin our wheels on the mega stuff that may be presently
outta your reach. Believe me, there are plenty of great posters that don't
cost the same as a small car!
ARE THERE ANY GOOD BOOKS THAT COVER THE SUBJECT OF ROCK
ART?
Why yes there are. "The Art of Rock" would be a good place to start.
From PRESLEY to PUNK!! If you want to look at thousands of rock posters,
here's the book for you.
I believe that anyone that is into collecting rock posters should get
this book. It will no doubt keep your attention for countless hours.
Don't be surprised how fast the time slips away when looking at many of
the posters that have been done over thirty plus years. Written by Paul
Grushkin, and published by ABBEVILLE. It is considered by most to be the
unofficial "BIBLE" of the field.
Recently published "The Art of the Fillmore" , is a super visual
documentation of ALL of the old Bill Graham series ,concert posters
1966-1971. The writer: Gayle Lemke, and researcher of ART; Jacaber Kastor
(of New York city"s Psychedlic Solution) Published by ACID TEST
Productions. It is available or can be ordered through most bookstores.
Also the book by poster scholar ERIC KING. It is titled "The
Collector's Guide to Psychedlic Rock Concert Posters, Postcards, and
Handbills" 1965-1973. The Professor believes this to be the most
comprehensive book on the subject of ROCK ART!. However it is difficult
to find in your local bookstore...... not-toworry!! It is available
through Posterville. The price is forty five dollars. ( $45+
postage,handling and California state sales tax when applicable) A
bargain at twice the price I must say! This book is a very helpful
reference "tool" when trying to determine just what printing it is of
whatever poster you have. If you haven't been to that crossroad yet, be
prepared. You will be before long!
WHAT ARE MY POSTERS WORTH?
I enjoy posters as a form of "Artwork" and an expression of
the times that they were created in. They are a sort of time machine that
lets me flash back to lighter times. For me anyway. I really don't feel
that a price tag always needs be put on things with abit of soulfulness,
and do not want to have to assess something that is elsewhere looked at as
a commodity. I'll be more than happy to answer questions about them from
time to time. However I am NOT a value or price guide for posters.
Anything is only worth, what someone isprepared to spend........
"Posters to the People"!!!
I always say! Heal me and deliver me!
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© copyright 2001, Professor Poster