Benefit Concert Poster — The Questing Beast, Berkeley
With an enormous “HELP” occupying most of its upper half, this poster takes a fairly direct approach to promoting a benefit. Burgundy printing on an off-white background gives it a striking graphic simplicity, while the smaller lettering below reveals a programme of music and dancing advertised for 2–5 May 1966.
The appeal belonged to the final weeks of the Questing Beast, a Berkeley coffeehouse facing costly improvements following official inspections. Benefit events were organised in an effort to keep it going, but the venue closed that May. The poster therefore records a specific moment in the life of a small music venue, rather than simply another date on a touring schedule.
The headliner billed simply as Solomon was Solomon Feldthouse, who later played with the eclectic Los Angeles group Kaleidoscope. Country Joe & the Fish also appear on the bill, alongside Dan Paik, Dave Cohen and John Paul. The band’s early history included regular Jabberwock performances before appearances at larger venues such as the Fillmore and Avalon Ballroom.
A particularly strong choice for anyone drawn to oversized typography, with a substantial piece of Berkeley’s coffeehouse history behind that single large word.
Piece details
Available- Venue
- The Questing Beast
- Origin
- American
- Format
- Print, Vintage
- Era
- 1960s
- Dimensions (Unframed)
- Coming Soon
- Condition
- General patina consumerate with age
Standard A2 Framing (+£65)
This item can be framed. For this piece, I would recommend a black or red mount and an A2 walnut frame. Frames are solid wood, come in standard sizes, and include standard glass. For specialty framing, I can also recommend a local professional framer.
How to buy this piece
All items are available in the showroom. You can either visit on Saturday during public opening hours, or book a private appointment here.