Ripped Van Winkle

Here it is, undoubtedly the most famous poster from the Family Dog series, as well as the most recognized image ever used by the Grateful Dead. The central image is a drawing done by Edward Joseph Sullivan, a late 19th and early 20th century artist. Sullivan created this drawing to illustrate one of the quatrains of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Mouse and Kelley added the color, as the original drawing was in black and white. The resulting poster has lived on through time and has increased in value at a dramatic pace. Since most of these posters were hung on walls at the time of the concerts, many exhibit severe damage and discoloration.

This piece is in excellent shape but many originals show some degree of over-inking, usually in blue at the bottom of the piece  - in this case the over-inking is red, with much of it matted out for your viewing pleasure. Near mint versions of this poster signed by Mouse and Kelley) have sold for $38,700 with a whopping $50,600 in 2018 and represent the high-water mark for mainstream psychedelic rock posters. This FD-26 was signed by Mouse and comes with a three part video of Mouse selecting the pen, deciding on the spot and then signing this very poster for you.