What: A first printing poster from 1968 advertising a Jimi Hendrix Experience show in Washington, D.C., recently sold for $6,070 in a Hake’s Auction. Tears at the corners indicate use and in no way diminish value.
More: In style and lettering, the poster is the height of counter-culture ’60s art. As a first printing, it is extra rare and valuable.
Smart collectors know: Original posters, programs, banners and associated paper were never made to be saved. That makes surviving examples such as this all the rarer.
Hot tip: Original pop culture graphics, certainly early posters of popular musicians and groups, continue to escalate in value. In the same sale, a 1958 cardboard poster for Diana Ross & the Supremes sold for $5,945. Iconic stars such as Hendrix are money in the bank.
Bottom line: When Pennsylvania collector Ted Hake started selling political memorabilia as a college student in the 1960s, little did he know his business would become a juggernaut. Now selling all kinds of political, advertising and pop memorabilia, the man known as “King of Collectibles” has broken world records; his July auction this year hit $1.2 million.
