Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
One of the rarest and most visually stunning Grateful Dead concert posters ever created is coming to auction at Heritage.
This original 1969 Grateful Dead poster advertised the band's August 20 appearance at Seattle's Aqua Theatre, just days after Woodstock and during one of the most important years in the band's history. Opening acts included the New Riders of the Purple Sage and Sanpaku, while tickets cost just $3.50.
Among collectors, this poster has achieved near-mythical status.
Its vivid green, yellow, and purple design by artist Porky Jake features a mesmerizing siren-like figure drawing creatures toward her flute, creating one of the most imaginative and recognizable images of the psychedelic era. Yet despite its beauty, the poster's true claim to fame may be its scarcity.
When Heritage consulted a veteran Pacific Northwest concert-poster specialist about the piece, the response was simple: "Ultra-rare. I've never even seen one in person."
The poster is so elusive that even major Grateful Dead historians appear to have lacked access to it. In Grateful Dead: The Illustrated Trip, the date of the concert was listed incorrectly, with the authors noting uncertainty about when the show actually occurred. This original poster finally settles the matter.
The concert itself marked the debut of "Easy Wind," written by Robert Hunter for Pigpen, and featured guest flute work from jazz legend Charles Lloyd on "New Minglewood Blues" and "China Cat Sunflower."
📍 Grateful Dead
📍 Aqua Theatre, Seattle, Washington
📍 August 20, 1969
📍 New Riders of the Purple Sage & Sanpaku
📍 Original concert poster
📍 13 7/8" x 20 3/4"
📍 CGC 8.0 Very Fine
📍 From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection
📍 Heritage Auctions COA
A legendary poster from a legendary year—offered for the first time ever by Heritage Auctions.
#GratefulDead #Deadhead #PsychedelicArt #ConcertPoster #RockHistory #MusicMemorabilia #VintagePoster #1969 #HeritageAuctions #GratefulDeadPoster
entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/grateful-dead-1969-seattle-wa-aqua-theater-concert-poster-graded-80-aor-3110-/a/7476-26088.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
Brought to you by HA.com
To learn more, visit HA.com/7476
Stay Connected to Heritage Auctions:
facebook.com/HeritageAuctions
twitter.com/HeritageAuction
One of the rarest and most visually stunning Grateful Dead concert posters ever created is coming to auction at Heritage.
This original 1969 Grateful Dead poster advertised the band's August 20 appearance at Seattle's Aqua Theatre, just days after Woodstock and during one of the most important years in the band's history. Opening acts included the New Riders of the Purple Sage and Sanpaku, while tickets cost just $3.50.
Among collectors, this poster has achieved near-mythical status.
Its vivid green, yellow, and purple design by artist Porky Jake features a mesmerizing siren-like figure drawing creatures toward her flute, creating one of the most imaginative and recognizable images of the psychedelic era. Yet despite its beauty, the poster's true claim to fame may be its scarcity.
When Heritage consulted a veteran Pacific Northwest concert-poster specialist about the piece, the response was simple: "Ultra-rare. I've never even seen one in person."
The poster is so elusive that even major Grateful Dead historians appear to have lacked access to it. In Grateful Dead: The Illustrated Trip, the date of the concert was listed incorrectly, with the authors noting uncertainty about when the show actually occurred. This original poster finally settles the matter.
The concert itself marked the debut of "Easy Wind," written by Robert Hunter for Pigpen, and featured guest flute work from jazz legend Charles Lloyd on "New Minglewood Blues" and "China Cat Sunflower."
📍 Grateful Dead
📍 Aqua Theatre, Seattle, Washington
📍 August 20, 1969
📍 New Riders of the Purple Sage & Sanpaku
📍 Original concert poster
📍 13 7/8" x 20 3/4"
📍 CGC 8.0 Very Fine
📍 From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection
📍 Heritage Auctions COA
A legendary poster from a legendary year—offered for the first time ever by Heritage Auctions.
#GratefulDead #Deadhead #PsychedelicArt #ConcertPoster #RockHistory #MusicMemorabilia #VintagePoster #1969 #HeritageAuctions #GratefulDeadPoster
entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/grateful-dead-1969-seattle-wa-aqua-theater-concert-poster-graded-80-aor-3110-/a/7476-26088.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
Brought to you by HA.com
To learn more, visit HA.com/7476
Stay Connected to Heritage Auctions:
facebook.com/HeritageAuctions
twitter.com/HeritageAuction
