This flyer advertises a Velvet Underground performance at Springer’s Hall in Portland, Oregon, on November 21, 1969. Shared with The Chapter Five, the show was set to start at 8:00 PM. Measuring approximately 8.5 x 11 inches, the flyer is printed on gold card stock with vibrant red ink, lending it a regal and ornate appearance that reflects the baroque design of the artwork.
The intricate border features classical imagery, including allegorical figures and heraldic motifs, which surround a central circular emblem. The central graphic appears to represent themes of love and unity, with a globe at its core and decorative flourishes extending outward. The overall composition exudes a sense of grandeur, contrasting intriguingly with the underground and avant-garde nature of The Velvet Underground’s music.
Event details are clearly laid out in bold red text, including ticketing information at the bottom. Tickets were available at local outlets such as Music Millennium, Long Hair Faucet, and Free Peoples Touching Co. Advance tickets were priced at $2.50, while door prices were slightly higher. The inclusion of a matching ticket, printed on the same gold card stock and stamped with an individual number, adds to the collectible nature of this piece.
Though the artist behind the design remains unknown, the flyer’s detailed artwork and rich colors make it an eye-catching artifact from The Velvet Underground’s late-era touring years. This unique combination of classical-inspired design and countercultural music represents a fascinating snapshot of the transitional artistic and musical landscape of 1969.
