Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"Aoxomoxoa." Try saying it three times fast.
Long before it became one of the Grateful Dead's most iconic album covers, Rick Griffin's mesmerizing artwork promoted a legendary weekend of shows at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom in January 1969. Today, the original first-printing concert poster is considered one of the most celebrated psychedelic concert posters of the entire 1960s.
This extraordinary example advertises performances by the Grateful Dead, with support from Sons of Champlin and Initial Shock, during a pivotal moment in San Francisco's counterculture movement. Unlike many Avalon events of the era, these concerts were promoted by Soundproof Productions after the Family Dog's departure from the venue.
The poster's significance extends far beyond the concert scene. It was later adapted as the cover art for the Dead's 1969 album Aoxomoxoa, making it one of the rare concert posters to achieve iconic status in both music and visual art history.
Graded an impressive CGC 9.6 Near Mint Plus, this specimen ranks among the finest known examples. Its importance is further underscored by The Art of Rock, which devoted an entire page to the image—an honor unmatched by any other poster in the landmark reference book.
📏 Measures 21¾" x 26¼"
🎨 Artwork by Rick Griffin
🏛️ From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection
📜 Includes Heritage Auctions COA
A psychedelic masterpiece. An album-cover legend. A cornerstone of rock poster history.
entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/grateful-dead-1969-aoxomoxoa-avalon-ballroom-concert-poster-graded-96-aor-224-/a/7476-26096.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
#GratefulDead #Aoxomoxoa #RickGriffin #ConcertPoster #PsychedelicArt #AvalonBallroom #VintagePosters #RockMemorabilia #HeritageAuctions #ArtOfRock
Brought to you by HA.com
To learn more, visit HA.com/7476
Stay Connected to Heritage Auctions:
facebook.com/HeritageAuctions
twitter.com/HeritageAuction
"Aoxomoxoa." Try saying it three times fast.
Long before it became one of the Grateful Dead's most iconic album covers, Rick Griffin's mesmerizing artwork promoted a legendary weekend of shows at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom in January 1969. Today, the original first-printing concert poster is considered one of the most celebrated psychedelic concert posters of the entire 1960s.
This extraordinary example advertises performances by the Grateful Dead, with support from Sons of Champlin and Initial Shock, during a pivotal moment in San Francisco's counterculture movement. Unlike many Avalon events of the era, these concerts were promoted by Soundproof Productions after the Family Dog's departure from the venue.
The poster's significance extends far beyond the concert scene. It was later adapted as the cover art for the Dead's 1969 album Aoxomoxoa, making it one of the rare concert posters to achieve iconic status in both music and visual art history.
Graded an impressive CGC 9.6 Near Mint Plus, this specimen ranks among the finest known examples. Its importance is further underscored by The Art of Rock, which devoted an entire page to the image—an honor unmatched by any other poster in the landmark reference book.
📏 Measures 21¾" x 26¼"
🎨 Artwork by Rick Griffin
🏛️ From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection
📜 Includes Heritage Auctions COA
A psychedelic masterpiece. An album-cover legend. A cornerstone of rock poster history.
entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/grateful-dead-1969-aoxomoxoa-avalon-ballroom-concert-poster-graded-96-aor-224-/a/7476-26096.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
#GratefulDead #Aoxomoxoa #RickGriffin #ConcertPoster #PsychedelicArt #AvalonBallroom #VintagePosters #RockMemorabilia #HeritageAuctions #ArtOfRock
Brought to you by HA.com
To learn more, visit HA.com/7476
Stay Connected to Heritage Auctions:
facebook.com/HeritageAuctions
twitter.com/HeritageAuction
