The Doors Poster
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The pensive maiden and all-seeing eye reappeared in BG044 to announce the first time L.A. band The Doors play the Fillmore. The packed crowd was dumbfounded by the music, and a love affair between the band and San Francisco commenced immediately.
The 1st printing A was printed on dull stock that shows very grainy ink. There are fine horizontal rows in the paper, which are noticeable on the reverse. There is a great variety in ink coloring throughout this run; the same images range from medium gray to bright purple as a result of the "Monday/Friday phenomenon". The pre-concert 1st printing A is identified by its paper characteristics, and it measures 13 13/16" x 23 3/4".
1st printing B also displays a wide range of color variation throughout the run. It is differentiated from the A printing by its thicker coarse patterned stock and lack of rows on the reverse. Unlike the C printing, when held under blacklight, the white paper stock does not glow. It was also printed before the concert and measures 13 13/16" x 23 3/4".
1st printing C was printed on dull stock and does not show horizontal rows on the reverse. When held under blacklight, the reverse of the poster glows brightly. It measures 13 7/8" x 23 11/16".
The 2nd printing is identified by its smooth plated surface that is somewhat reflective and fine horizontal rows in the stock. There are varying amounts of smudged ink throughout the print run in the word "Tickets" located in the bottom left corner. It also presents a lot of color variation, and it measures 13 7/8" x 23 11/16". It was printed after the concert.
The 3rd printing is on coated stock and has "W 2023" in the lower right hand margin. It was printed in 2023 by Wolfgang's in a 250 copy run. This reprint measures 14" x 24".
When the Avalon Ballroom and Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium began to hold weekly dance concerts, Wilson was called upon to design the posters. He created psychedelic posters from February 1966 to May 1967, when disputes over money severed his connection with Graham. Wilson pioneered the psychedelic rock poster. Intended for a particular audience, "one that was tuned in to the psychedelic experience," his art, and especially the exaggerated freehand lettering, emerged from Wilson's own involvement with that experience and the psychedelic art of light shows.