BALTIMORE, MD.- A museum quality specimen of the legendary Grateful Dead Skeleton and Roses FD-26 concert poster is the expected star lot in an online auction hosted by Psychedelic Art Exchange. The poster has been independently authenticated and graded 9.8 by CGC, the finest quality CGC graded example ever to cross the auction block.

Bidding is now open and ends Thursday, May 16th, at 9 pm Eastern time. The poster is widely expected to exceed the world record price of $50,600 realized for a CGC graded 9.4 specimen that was also auctioned off by Psychedelic Art Exchange in a prior auction, on August 9th, 2018.

“This poster is universally recognized as one of the ‘Holy Grails’ of the entire genre,” said Glen Trosch, president of Psychedelic Art Exchange. “That’s because the poster has history, rarity, quality and one of the most famous counterculture images, all in one mind-blowing package.”

The poster was designed by the legendary concert poster artists Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse. It was used to promote two Grateful Dead concerts – held September 16th and 17th, 1966 – at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. The famous “Skeleton and Roses” design would later be appropriated by the band as their logo. The Grateful Dead is one of the great rock ‘n’ roll bands.

“The quality of this poster is simply astonishing,” added Trosch. “It’s so bright and fresh it’s hard to believe it’s more than fifty years old. It’s easy to understand why CGC graded it 9.8, the highest grade to ever appear at auction. That explains why our phones are ringing off the hook.”

The auction also features 200 other vintage 1960s concert posters. All of the posters have been independently authenticated and graded by CGC, the world leader for third party authentication and grading of collectibles. All lots are being sold unreserved and have a starting bid of just $1.

Psychedelic Art Exchange (PAE) is a premier source to buy, sell and learn about vintage rock concert posters. It is a full-service organization that provides sophisticated collectors with all they need to take maximum advantage of what a growing number of people believe is the most lucrative collectibles opportunity in the world today. Quality consignments are always sought.