The Chambers Brothers Handbill
Conklin's famous Summer Series poster featuring naked-ladies lettering did a lot with just three colors. Erupting like a genie from its magic lamp, the offerings cascade down the poster and break into The Chambers Brothers, Quicksilver Messenger Service and others. Conklin was at his best here, creating complex, clever compositions.
The handbill measures 4 5/8" x 7 5/16" and displays a calendar of upcoming Bill Graham events on the reverse. It was printed before the concert.
There were also some pre-concert double-sized mailers printed that were conjoined with the BG126 image (see BG125/126). They measure 4 5/8" x 14 1/2".
Lee Conklin's early influences were pen and ink masters Heinrich Kley and Saul Steinberg.After seeing articles featuring Wes Wilson's poster art, Conklin was inspired to visit San Francisco and show his art to Bill Graham. Conklin was soon commissioned to do posters and produced 31 original designs for the Fillmore between 1968 and 1969. Conklin rendered both graphics and calligraphy in intricate detail. What began as a personal challenge to disguise images within images and lettering soon turned into a concerted effort to turn every single letter and figure into another form, stretching the imagination to new limits.