RARE "The Grateful Dead" 1967 Press Kit. With Promo LP & 45 -- both Near Mint

$

400

By 1966 The Grateful Dead were a certified Bay Area phenomenon, primed for national market exposure. 

As with most press kits there's the standard fare: Local market buzz and initial, far-away market impressions.  But the attention to detail throughout is a truly unique expression of the degree of interest which Warner Brothers had in promoting the band to the national radio market. 

The kit is comprised of the following:

1. Folder (Described in considerable detail, below.)
-- Contents--
2. "Bio": Fantastic biographical information on each member of the band -- easily worth the price of admission.
3. "Who Are The Grateful Dead?": Press coverage from the months prior to the nationwide release of "The Grateful Dead'.

Biographical information is presented in two parts, both of which being black-on-white xerographic reproductions printed on 20# paper stock.  "Bio One" is two pages, whereas "Bio Two" is three pages.  Each is bound with a small staple. 

Press coverage is comprised of clean news clippings profiling the band, drawn from weekly mainstream and alternative press publications, circa mid-to-late 1966 and early 1967.

A fourth part was included in some of the press kits which were mailed-out at the time:

4. Promotional issue recordings -- fully detailed, below.

 -Folder Variations and Content Variations-
The Bios and news clippings were originally presented in a pocketed folder, of which two versions are known to exist -- see comparison image.

There were at least a few variations in the content of promotional material, as well as the two artwork variations.  This includes: With or without Promotional album (and/or) single, with or without 8x10" glossy band photo, and with or without enlarged band photo on the reverse of an 11x17" Xerox.  This last variation also had a variation, with one of the press clippings printed on the reverse side -- wild!
 
-Folder description-
There are (at least) two different folders. 

1) Centerpiece: Reproduction of early photo of the band.  Background: Repeating paisley brocade.  Offset; Black ink on light grey, heavy paperstock.

The other folder -- this is the one which we offer in this listing:

2) Centerpiece: Artwork by Rick Griffin.  Offset; Blue-green ink on goldenrod heavy paperstock. 

This art ("In The Land Of The Dark, The Ship Of The Sun Is Driven By The Grateful Dead") is featured in: "The Art Of Rock" (plate 2 on pg. 189).  

The folder's interior features two pockets in which literature and photos are placed, upon which is printed the phrase: "The Grateful Dead -Now- On W.B. (Warner Brothers logo)".  This is not mechanical typography but highly stylized, hand-drawn art -- complete with a large scarab along with smaller scarabs acting as an ellipsis.
 
--Variations and Promotional Records--

There were several variations of this press kit, and the item in our listing has no 8x10" glossy, but -does- feature both bios and all three press inserts including a blank-reverse variation of the 11x17" fold out.  It also features -BOTH- Promo labeled records -- and the vinyl is super-clean! 

- Warner Bros. Records ?– 7016 - The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) / Cream Puff War
- Warner Bros. Records ?– W 1689 - The Grateful Dead

--Condition of Materials--

LP and Single:

Single: Both center labels are very clean.  Original company outer sleeve is VG+.
LP: Side A center label is inscribed (previous owner's name in black felt tip pen).  Both original company inner and a virgin generic inner are included.

Jacket: No splits, but exhibits age wear.  Previous owner's name is inscribed in black felt tip pen (back cover).  Rates a solid VG -- see photos. 
-Folder-
Original folder is in very good condition, exhibiting little wear.  Inserts are also in good shape; One dog eared corner, one staple unfastened over time.

Our kit has a BONUS: An additional copy of the first Bio, sent as a one sheet to New York City's ABC radio affiliate.  It has been tri-folded and addressed to: Flair Report, postmarked Burbank, March 1967.  It must be a clue...

This describe this deluxe press kit in its entirety.  Please compare with photographs, and Thank You for checking out our listing for this unique item!