While virtually anything signed by Nirvana is rare, this poster stands at the apex of rarity for Nirvana pieces. This poster--a rare "blank" version that offered a blank area along the lower border for venues to write their dates and information--was used to promote Nirvana's appearance on April 6, 1990 at The Club Underground in Madison, WI. The poster showcases the signatures of the band's current 3 members at that time. Highlighted by a large "KURDT" signature from Kurt Cobain, the poster also showcases felt tip marker signatures from Krist Novoselic and Nirvana's drummer at the time, Chad Channing, with Novoselic and Channing both inscribing along with signing their names.
Accompanying the poster is a detailed Letter of Provenance from the collector who acquired this poster and other relics from the fan who attended the concert and was smart enough to engage the band. Explaining the story behind this incredible acquisition, the Letter of Provenance reads, in part:
"I had the good fortune of acquiring...An original tour poster signed by Kurt, Chris, and Chad (Chris also printed his full name and wrote his wife's name and home address on the back)...
One of the reasons that this archive is so important is the timing. The individual who acquired these items did so on Friday, April 6, 1990.
During the week of April 2, 1990 to April 6, 1990, Nirvana was at Butch Vig's Smart Studios in Madison, Wl. This week was spent recording very early versions of songs that would ultimately end up on "Nevermind." The week ended on Friday night with a show at The Club Underground.
The person I obtained these items from resided in Wisconsin and was at that show. He also had numerous posters and flyers from the bands he had seen play at various local venues. He made it a practice to ask whatever band he saw play to sign something; usually the poster or flyer from the show. It seemed to me they were mostly flyer-type posters of bar bands that are long forgotten.
In the case of Nirvana, he got along well with the band after the show and remembered that everyone was partying pretty hard. He had taken the poster off the wall to get it signed. I never thought to ask why Chris had written his address (and Shelly's name) on the back of the poster as well as signing the front.
An original Nirvana tour poster from the Bleach tour is exceedingly rare. Group signatures from the period with Chad as the drummer are virtually non-existent and are of the utmost rarity. "Nevermind" would not be released for almost 1 Vi years after these items were signed. The only reason these exist is because the person who originally collected them made it a habit to get things signed by whomever was playing. I surmise these are some of the earliest Nirvana signatures that exist."
The poster measures approximately 13" x 18" and shows wear from being used at the venue, including assorted wrinkles and staple holes in the corners. In and of itself this poster is a rarity, and to date, is the only band signed concert poster that we've ever seen or handled from this early lineup. Nirvana collectors--take notice! Accompanied by a Letter of Provenance and a Letter of Authenticity from music autograph authority Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication.