We’ve all seen them: the film recordings of The Beatles concerts, with crazy young fans who scream so loudly that the music and voices of John, Paul, George and Ringo can hardly be heard. It was the same with their concert in August 1966 in the impressive setting of Shea Stadium in New York, which took place as part of the band's fourth US tour. Ultimately, it was the exhausting noise level that made the Beatles decide to stop touring.
One of the yellow concert posters from the event went up for auction on Saturday 16 April at Heritage Auctions’ ‘Music Memorabilia Signature®’ sale in Dallas, Texas. Cared for by its owner for decades, it was offered in excellent condition. Bids started at $115,000 and ended at $220,000 ($275,000 including premium) – a new auction record for a concert poster.
See also: History's 6 Most Popular Film Posters
And it wasn't the only record set in this category during the auction: a beautifully-preserved ‘Skeleton and Rose’ poster for the September 1966 San Francisco Grateful Dead concerts changed hands for $137,500, a new, top result for a concert poster of the ‘psychedelic era’.
“It was unspeakably exhilarating to break two world records in a single afternoon – in the same hour, no less,” says Pete Howard, Heritage Auctions’ Director of Concert Posters. “When I joined Heritage Auctions three years ago, the thought of two concert posters combining for more than $400,000 was unthinkable. No more.”
“The Beatles’ Shea reaching $275,000 wasn’t surprising, so much as it was long overdue,” Howard says. “Compared to the highest-priced movie posters and comic books, there’s still a lot of blue sky ahead for the best concert posters to keep increasing in value. And to see ‘Skeleton & Roses’ soar to $137,500 is a testament to the beauty and power of the best psychedelic concert posters.”
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