[Posters] [Counter-Culture] Berkeley Political Poster Workshop Portfolio

About Auction

Live

Books and Manuscripts

By Freeman's

Sep 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-23 10:00:00 2021-09-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Books and Manuscripts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/books-and-manuscripts-7438
A collection of books and manuscripts. Curated by Darren WInston, Head of the Books and Manuscripts Department at Freeman's. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

View Full Catalog (140)

• Lot Description

  (University of California, Berkeley: Political Poster Workshop, ca. 1970). Group of 43 screenprints (some duplicate images, printed in different colors, on different paper stock, and in different formats). Scattered soiling and wear. Measuring 14 1/2 x 11 in. (368 x 279 mm) to 29 1/8 x 23 in. (740 x 584 mm).

  A rare collection of 43 posters printed at the Political Poster Workshop at the University of California, Berkeley in the summer of 1970. Formed in response to the Nixon administration's invasion of Cambodia as well as the murder of four students at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard, dozens of student volunteers at UC Berkeley converged on the College of Environmental Design to produce these vivid and urgent images of dissent. Produced en masse under the guidance of artist Malaquias Montoya, a leading figure in the Chicano Art Movement, these students created an estimated 650 designs across 50,000 printed posters. Bright, confrontational, and often simple in their visual language, these posters are a powerful record of an often forgotten moment in the Anti-War Movement. Ephemeral by nature, these posters were silkscreened in a variety of colors and on various types of cheap paper stock, sometimes new, but most often recycled, specifically early computer listing paper, as well as on the backs of old concert posters and calenders. These posters peppered the area around UC Berkeley and were frequently torn down and discarded, and hence scarce in any condition. Many of the posters in this collection feature the printed numbers "4973" in the margin, which according to Robin Repp, one of the artists who participated in the workshop, represented an attempt by the artists to help their work escape the destructive wrath of the police, "We put the number '4973' on the posters becuase it was a sort of 'stamp of approval' number from the Berkeley Police Department. We were led to believe that if we put the numbers on a poster, it would not be torn down from city poles or signs." (Barry Miles, 4973: Berkeley Protest Posters 1970).

  These rare and impressive posters are very rarely, if ever, seen together in such a large grouping (43) on the market, and they provide a visual record of a very American protest language that sprung up quickly--and faded just as quickly--in the social and cultural conflagrations at the dawn of the new decade, one that would see five more devastating years in Veitnam, as well as the resignation of a president.

  Many of the posters here, and variants thereof, have not been seen in the more major institutional collections, such as The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley and the The University of British Columbia Library, or in the collection represented in 4973: Berkeley Protest Poster 1970 (Maggs Bros Ltd).

• Shipping Info

  • No lot may be removed from Freeman’s premises until the buyer has paid in full the purchase price therefor including Buyer’s Premium or has satisfied such terms that Freeman’s, in its sole discretion, shall require. Subject to the foregoing, all Property shall be paid for and removed by the buyer at his/ her expense within ten (10) days of sale and, if not so removed, may be sold by Freeman’s, or sent by Freeman’s to a third-party storage facility, at the sole risk and charge of the buyer(s), and Freeman’s may prohibit the buyer from participating, directly or indirectly, as a bidder or buyer in any future sale or sales. In addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s by law, Freeman’s reserves the right to impose a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price on any balance remaining ten (10) days after the day of sale. If Property is not removed by the buyer within ten (10) days, a handling charge of 2% of the total purchase price per month from the tenth day after the sale until removal by the buyer shall be payable to Freeman’s by the buyer. Freeman’s will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any goods left in Freeman’s possession after ten (10) days. If the foregoing conditions or any applicable provisions of law are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s and the Consignor (including without limitation the right to hold the buyer(s) liable for the bid price) Freeman’s, at its option, may either cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the buyer(s), or resell the property. In such event, the buyer(s) shall remain liable for any deficiency in the original purchase price and will also be responsible for all costs, including warehousing, the expense of the ultimate sale, and Freeman’s commission at its regular rates together with all related and incidental charges, including legal fees. Payment is a precondition to removal. Payment shall be by cash, certified check or similar bank draft, or any other method approved by Freeman’s. Checks will not be deemed to constitute payment until cleared. Any exceptions must be made upon Freeman’s written approval of credit prior to sale. In addition, a defaulting buyer will be deemed to have granted and assigned to Freeman’s, a continuing security interest of first priority in any property or money of, or owing to such buyer in Freeman’ possession, and Freeman’s may retain and apply such property or money as collateral security for the obligations due to Freeman’s. Freeman’s shall have all of the rights accorded a secured party under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	29.00
    $600,000	23.00
    $3,000,000	15.00