San Francisco Times

A creature that is half woman and half airplane is the central image on this "Poster From The Past". She is nude (naturally) from the chest up and from there down she has the tail of an airplane. The fuselage of the airplane has scales like a fish, and the tail section appears to be flexible like a fish. The insignia on the tail section appears to be a Yin/Yang symbol. The propellers of the plane are attached to her nipples. If a half woman/half fish is a mermaid than this ha...lf woman/half airplane probably ought to be called an Aermaid! The lettering for the word "Jefferson" is very elaborate and ornate. Below the Aeromaid are two motorcycle/centaurs both of which are drawn with much detail. Various airplanes, mostly old bi-planes have been used to represent the Jefferson Airplane, but this Aermaid is certainly one of the most unusual. It was 52 years ago on this day back in 1968, that The Jefferson Airplane, Ballet Afro-Haiti, and A.B. Skhy, all took stage for three nights of dance/concerts at the Fillmore West here in San Francisco. Fantastic lights by Glenn McKay's Head Lights. This is BG Fillmore poster number #142 created from the awesome imagination of well loved rock poster artist Lee Conklin. It was printed only once. This Great one should be Shared! Approved with wings by Professor Poster

Before we had the TRPS (The Rock Poster Society) Poster Show here in San Francisco (which is scheduled to take place this coming Saturday), we had the Rock Art Expo in the very same place. The Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. This piece was for the last year that the Expo took place. The next stop was the Music and Art show down at the San Mateo Fair Grounds which lasted for just two years. This "Poster From The Past" dates back 26 years from 1994 and was created by Master Rock Artist, Stanley Mouse. Awesome piece don't-cha-think? ....... Professor Poster

It was 55 Dog-on years ago on this day back in 1965 that this rare "Poster From The Past" handbill advertised the very FIRST event promoted by the Family Dog at The Longshoreman’s Hall in San Francisco. Ellen Harmon, one of the four original partners in the Family Dog collective, was an avid reader of Marvel comic books and she helped dedicate the first dance to Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. The comic book theme continued through the next two dances, known as A T...ribute to Sparkle Plenty and A Tribute to Ming the Merciless, both 1940s comic book characters. Alton Kelley, also an original Family Dog founder/partner, created the artwork for all three handbills and went on to do numerous others which are documented in the MANY posters that we love so much. Jefferson Airplane teamed up with first-time promoters, the Family Dog (Chet Helms, who would join later). They decided that the Longshoreman's Hall was a venue large enough to be filled with dancing bodies. Along with the Charlatans, the Marbles, and Great Society, Jefferson Airplane played the very first Family Dog concert. In the crowd, people dressed up in costumes happily danced along to the music. From this initial Family Dog concert, the San Francisco music scene would change forever. This handbill, measuring 8 1/2" x 11" is an extremely rare flyer printed on thin yellow/white paper (only a couple hundred max were printed!). Because it comes from the earliest Family Dog show, it has become extremely sought after and VERY expensive. If you can find one at all you'll have to shell out in excess of $1000+!! This is a VERY SPECIAL and historic handbill that marks the very Beginning of what became a real movement here in San Francisco's Ballroom scene. Happy Anniversary to the "Family Dog" (Y) <3 This one is a history lesson to be Shared! Absolute winner Approved by Professor Poster

With the central image of actress and movie star of the Great Silver screen....Gloria Swanson covered by a lace veil, this poster has a very striking appearance and appeal. This 1924 portrait of Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen with her large round eyes and mysterious stare is a perfect example of what was considered a beautiful, captivating woman in the 1920'a and early 1930's which is exactly why the artists chose it. If you look at the number 16 on the right side the date... of the poster you will see a dog's head coming out of the hole of the number 6. To my knowledge, this is the only photo on a Family Dog poster of the actual "Family Dog".. His name was Sancho, and he lived a long and happy life! This is also the one year anniversary poster for the Family Dog! It was 54 years ago (hard to believe) on this day back in 1966, that Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Sir Douglas Quintet, began their two nights of dance/concerts at the Avalon Ballroom here in San Francisco. Light show that evening by Ben Van Meter & Roger Hillyard. This "Poster From The Past" is Family Dog number #30 in their series naturally entitled "Gloria Swanson". This poster created by Master Big Five rock artists Stanley Mouse & Alton Kelley. Mouse Studios. This poster was printed three times. Share "Gloria" with your friends! Another pretty face Approved by Professor Poster

This "Poster From The Past" is fairly simple and right to the point! We have a photograph of Big Mama Mae Thornton as the central image posed while in mid-note of a song. The stylized lettering is pretty much the standard for one of the Artists posters with the dates flanking the photo and the band and venue information above and below. While not a strikingly colorful piece, it does have it's appeal. It was on this day 54 years ago back in 1966, that The Paul Butterfield Blue...s Band, Jefferson Airplane and Big Mama Mae Thornton began three nights of Dance/Concerts at The Fillmore Auditorium here in our beautiful city by the bay here in San Francisco. (Actually, the night of the 16th was cancelled) This rock poster is number #31 in the old BG Fillmore series and was created by Master Big Five artist Wes Wilson. It was printed three times. Share Big Mama with a friend! Motherly Approval..... Professor Poster

The title of this "Poster From The Past" is simply "The King of Spades" ...what else! The central image here is a drawing of a lion standing on a grassland with a snow capped mountain in the background. The playing symbol for "spade" and the letter "K" appear in the upper left and lower right corner of the poster as if it were a king from a deck of playing cards. This is Family Dog poster number #87 in the series created by rock artist Jack Hatfield who did just a few posters... for the Dog. It was printed just one time. And so, it was 53 Royal years ago on this day back in 1967, that Blues Master Buddy Guy, along with the "man"..... Captain Beefheart and his Magic band and Blue Cheer (can you please turn up the volume) began their three nights of sets at the Avalon Ballroom. Light Show provided by Ben Van Meter and Roger Hillyard's North American Ibis Alchemical Company. Share this King of Beasts with a friend! Approved in "Spades" by Professor Poster

This "Poster From The Past" was created by Bob Masse Studios and produced by yours truly. It was done for the 30th Anniversary of the Summer of Love. It all took place on October 12, 1997....23 years ago behind the Beach Chalet in Golden Gate Park, here in San Francisco. Many of the old time original bands from back in the day turned out to play and entertain as they did 30+ years prior. All and all it was a Great Huge party celebrated by the old timers as well as the younger... folks. It is Such a Shame, that they city did not allow such an event to celebrate the 50th. My how things change. I guess that IS the only constant. I still have several of these Uncut Poster Proof sheets with cards included signed by both Masse and myself left and available. If anyone has interest just shoot me a message. Click the pic in order to see the full image if you need to. Absolutely Approved by Professor Poster

The photographs of all three bands featured on this poster were taken by the legendary Rock photographer Herb Greene on another one of my "Posters From The Past" for today. It was 53 glorious years ago on this day back in 1967, when a benefit for the Haight-Asbury Medical Clinic took place at the Fillmore Auditorium as well as the Winterland Arena with Jefferson Airplane, The Charlatans and Blue Cheer, playing four nights of Dance/Concerts. A lot of cash was raised for this v...ery worthy cause and place that was founded by Dr. David E. Smith just a few months earlier on June 7, 1967 during the major population boom in the Haight-Ashbury of thousands of young people from all over the country. Light show offered up by the fabulous Glenn McKay's Head Lights. This poster is number #88 in the old Fillmore series and was created by the lovely and talented artist Bonnie MacLean. It was printed only once. Approved in good health by Professor Poster

Big Brother and the Holding Company released their very first record, a 45rpm, on Mainstream Records 53 years ago on Oct 10th back in 1967. " Blindman" was the "A" side with "All is Loneliness" on the flip-side. Cool Cartoon handbill by our "Buddy" Stanley Mouse! ...... Here...... give it a listen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZtZaK7jSrw "I can see" ...it's Approved by Professor Poster

Certainly one of the coolest "Posters From The Past" for the guitar God Jimi Hendrix! The central image is of a Scarab Beetle standing on it's hindmost pair of legs and dancing. Below it are slightly oval Yin-Yang symbols with legs that are also dancing! In its top two legs the beetle is holding the sun. The rays of the sun are two shades of blue. Among the schools of symbology which Rick Griffin studied was that of the Egyptians who held the Scarab Beetle to be holy. The Sca...rab Beetle became another classic image for Hendrix. This is BG Fillmore poster number #140 in the series and was one of two successful collaborative posters for Master Big Five artists Rick Griffin and Victor Moscoso. The other being the following poster number #141. It was 52 ago on this day back in 1968, that The Jimi Hendrix Experience, along with The Buddy Miles Express and Dino Valenti played their second night of dance/concerts at the Winterland Arena which provided the space for capacity Jimi Hendrix crowds. Light show by the ever luminescent... "Holy See" This poster was printed four times! Absolutely worth Sharing with a friend! Everlastingly Approved by Professor Poster

A visual pun on the names of the bands are pictured on this "Poster From The Past". The Owl for the "Who" and Skull for the "The Grateful Dead". It looks much like a Tombstone to me. Ya think? This poster was created by rock artist Phillip Garris. An original first printing is somewhat scarce and fetches several hundred dollars these days. It was 44 years ago on this day back in 1976, that the Who & Grateful Dead began their two days of shows at the Oakland Coliseum for The Day on the Green numbers #8 and #9. This poster was printed two times. The reprint doesn't have ticket outlets in very small black print at the bottom of the poster and is somewhat blurry compared to an Original first printing. BIG difference in price as well! Approved by Whoooo? ........ Professor Poster

Another classic image from Master Rock artists Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley with this "Posters From The Past" for today. The central image of this poster is the lady from JOB rolling paper logo which was created by the well known 20th century artist, Alphonse Mucha. Mouse and Kelly borrowed this image and proceeded to change the colors completely, giving it the proper psychedelic effect. One of the most recognizable and popular posters of the era, collectors can expect to... pay a hefty price for a top-condition original as only 2,000 copies were printed. The handbills come in several variations, four of which use some colors not found on the posters. This is number #29 in the Family Dog series entitled "Lady with the Green Hair", and was printed four times! The printers plates reside here in "Posterville" along with a complete set of progressive prints. Stanley Mouse was kind enough to hand color one of the black and white progressives for me several years ago. How lucky we are! As a young lad of 16 years, I worked for the Family Dog riding around in their old panel truck dropping off the posters and handbills for the week to many different stores, headshops & assorted places. This is one of the posters in my collection that I still have from those days. It was 54 smok'in years ago on this day back in 1966, that The Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band, Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Electric Train at the Avalon Ballroom here in San Francisco. Share a Green Haired Lady with a friend! I just Love this one. Approved by Professor Poster

Throughout the history of Western Art almost all of the great artists have created still lives of vases with flowers. With all his classical training it is not surprising that the artist of this "Poster From The Past" Victor Moscoso, would have created his own version of a vase of flowers as a homage to the greats that came before and inspired him. This is the psychedelic version of a vase of flowers with the lettering formed by the blossoms of the flowers. If you look closel...y, you'll find that the vase appears to be an upside down image of what looks like a woman's head. Very cool psychedelic hidden image there! Many of the artists back in the day were always looking to put something in the poster that took a little extra effort to discover and find. For most of you, if I didn't point out that it was there, you'd probably never notice it. It was 53 years ago on this day back in 1967, that Blue Cheer, Lee Michaels and Clifton Chenier played their sets for three consecutive nights of dance/concerts at the Avalon Ballroom here in our beautiful city of San Francisco. This is Family Dog poster number # 86 entitled "Flower Pot". It was printed two times. Give a bouquet to a friend! Fragrantly Approved by Professor Poster