Posters have been part of the music and art scene since there have been venues advertising shows. In the 1890s in France, poster art became an art form. In America, poster art was more commercial and more utilitarian. Posters used bright color and large fonts to attract the attention of people walking by or driving by in their carriages.
The first boxing style posters were used to advertise boxing matches. Louis Armstrong shows in the 1920s had boxing style concert posters. The posters showcased each boxer and include venue name, address, show dates and ticket cost. One or two hundred were printed and hung on telephone poles and local stores to advertise the event. Leftover posters were thrown away. The top boxing style printers in the 1950s and 1960s were Hatch Show Print in Nashville, Murray Poster Printing Company in New York and Globe Posters in Baltimore. Most large cities had local printers the produced boxing style posters for local events.
Many rock and roll shows in the 1950s and 1960s used many of the same arenas and coliseums where boxing matches were held. It was natural for these venues to call Hatch, Murray, Globe, or a local print shop to have boxing style rock concert posters produced for an upcoming Biggest Show of Stars, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, or Janis Joplin show. Some posters produced for these shows were colorful and attractive. More importantly they bring back memories or make someone wish they had been at the concert. This is why boxing style rock n roll concert posters are collected.
CGC graded posters and handbills
