This is a Velvet Underground flyer for August 11th and 12th, 1967, advertising performances at The Boston Tea Party, 53 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Also featured is The Freeborn. The flyer measures approximately 8.5 x 11 inches, printed in red ink on pink lightweight paper, with a copyright for Lightship Prod.
The design showcases a psychedelic art style emblematic of the 1960s. The band’s name, “The Velvet Underground,” is written in bold, curving typography, with “The Freeborn” integrated below. The centerpiece is a hand-drawn portrait of four individuals, likely representing the band members, surrounded by swirling patterns and surreal architectural imagery. These artistic elements echo the experimental ethos of the band and their close association with Andy Warhol, who acted as their manager and creative collaborator during this period.
The flyer also features practical event details, including an 8:00 PM start time, $3.00 tickets, and locations for ticket sales, such as Paperback Booksmith and George’s Folly. The venue name, “Boston Tea Party,” is framed within an ornate stone arch, balancing historical and countercultural themes.
The red ink on pink paper enhances the visual impact, reflecting the avant-garde sensibilities of both The Velvet Underground and Warhol’s pop art aesthetic. Known for their boundary-pushing sound and connection to Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable events, the band was central to the 1960s counterculture movement.
This flyer stands as a vivid artifact of the era, merging art, music, and cultural revolution.