[MUSIC]. Ann Arbor Blues Festival / August 1-3. Poster promoting performances by B.B. King and Muddy Waters Blues Band. Ann Arbor, MI: Walrus Enterprise, [1969].

18 1/2 x 24 1/2 in. poster (light wear to metallic finish along edges). Central to the poster is an illustration of B.B. King playing the guitar, with text below listing the days of the festival along with the musicians and bands performing on those days. Bold text to right side of poster lists festival ticket pricing, location, and sponsors including the University Activities Center and Canterbury House, an organization for Episcopalian students.

Sometimes referred to as the Woodstock of the Midwest, the first Ann Arbor Blues Festival was brought into being by a group of University of Michigan students, led by Cary Gordon and John Fishel, who raised the funds and sought out the performers, who were predominantly black. The Michigan Daily reported on the festival, including organizer Ken Whipple's story about meeting B.B. King. Whipple recounted how King came off the stage "and said what a great thing it was that he was able to be here. There were tears in his eyes. It’s the greatest thing in the world.”

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

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Katie Horstman

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[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

African Americana

[MUSIC]. Ann Arbor Blues Festival / August 1-3. Poster promoting performances by B.B. King and Muddy Waters Blues Band. Ann Arbor, MI: Walrus Enterprise, [1969].

African Americana

[MUSIC]. Ann Arbor Blues Festival / August 1-3. Poster promoting performances by B.B. King and Muddy Waters Blues Band. Ann Arbor, MI: Walrus Enterprise, [1969].

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