Over 100 Rare CGC Graded Concert Posters Up For Auction Through Sunday

Sponsored Post: Psychedelic Art Exchange is a client of JamBase

Psychedelic Art Exchange’s April auction series is currently underway and runs through Sunday, April 9 at 9 p.m. ET. Over 100 rare posters and handbills are up for grabs with all lots graded and authenticated by CGC. Each of the lots start at $100 or less and included within are posters for such legendary acts as the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd and Steve Miller Band and such iconic venues as the Avalon Ballroom, the Fillmore West and The Matrix.

The company was formed by Glen Trosch and Scott Tilson in 2008. Trosch and Tilson have 75 years of combined experience in the collectibles field and both have been buying and selling collectibles professionally since they were teenagers. Trosch specialized in rock ‘n’ roll concert posters and memorabilia, magazines, toys and other pop culture collectibles. Tilson specialized in rare stamps and coins, but always had a deep love for rock ‘n’ roll.

Scott and Glen decided to launch PAE because they saw a hugely under served market. Vintage concert posters were beautiful pieces of art, were issued in tiny quantities, and featured world famous bands like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Janis Joplin and other legendary performers. But what was most exciting about these Vintage Concert posters was that very few have survived the past 50 years in top condition, and those that do sell for just one-to-five percent of what comparable coins, baseball cards and comic books are worth.

We spoke with Trosch and Tilson about the April auction and poster collecting.

JamBase: How were the posters in this auction obtained?

Scott Tilson & Glen Trosch: All of the posters in this auction have been consigned by collectors from around the world that have lovingly saved, cared for and preserved these posters in top museum quality condition for the past 50 years.

JamBase: What is the importance of having a third party independently grade the posters?

ST & GT: The market for vintage concert posters has literally exploded now that you can acquire them with third party authentication and grading by CGC. CGC grading and authentication is important for several reasons: First of all, the condition of ANY collectible is a major determinant of value. Small differences in condition can mean big differences in price. A buyer should not have to rely on a seller’s opinion of condition, because that presents an inherent conflict of interest.

CGC will authenticate that the poster is real, and will provide an impartial, third party opinion as to condition. This gives the buyer 100 percent confidence they are getting exactly what they pay for. Secondly, there are a lot of old concert posters out there that have been expertly restored to make them appear in better condition than they actually are. CGC will note whether a poster has been restored, something that is all but impossible for a new collector to ascertain. Lastly, CGC grading makes it much more easy to sell your poster when it comes time to sell.

There is a very liquid worldwide market for CGC graded material. They have graded over $10 billion of collectibles and are an acknowledged worldwide leader in the field. If you call us up and tell us you have a CGC graded concert poster you wish to sell, we can give you a much more accurate quote than if you ask us the value of a poster you own, “that looks really good!”

JamBase: Which are some of the rarest posters included within this particular auction?

ST & GT: The current auction has several famous posters that are the finest quality specimens known to exist. There is an Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground poster from a show on The Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, 1966. A second is a Vancouver Trips Festival and Acid Test Poster where the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin performed in 1966. There is a famous Cream poster from a concert held at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit on October 13, 1967. And there is a Grateful Dead poster from their famous tour of the Pacific Northwest in 1968.

All four of these true museum quality posters are ultra rare, historically important and are the finest quality examples known to exist today. We’re fielding inquiries about them from all over the world. In addition to these classic rarities, we have over 100 other poster that are all 50 years old, in museum quality condition and can be bought for just a few hundred dollars. There truly is something for everyone!

JamBase: If a potential purchaser wanted to check out a poster in person ahead of bidding, how would they do so?

ST & GT: All of the posters can be viewed online in ultra high definition. You can blow up the images to reveal tiny detail. All of the posters are also available to be examined in person at our gallery, located in Baltimore, Maryland. If at all possible, we recommend visiting our gallery because nothing compares to the wonderful experience of actually holding these pieces of art in your hands!

JamBase: If you had one piece of advice for a music fan who’s interested in collecting posters, but has never done so before what would it be?

ST & GT: For the person starting out we recommend learning as much as you can about this exciting field. Our website has dozens of articles, a market report/blog that is constantly updated and a list of reference books we feel are invaluable. Secondly, work with a dealer that sells independently graded and authenticated posters and is willing to stand behind what they sell with a guarantee in writing. Lastly, collect only what you love and have fun. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about!