dead head fan art just for you, sugar magnolia

February 6, 2003 12:21 PM

"In the last 13 years I have kept everything you have sent in close to heart and in safe keeping. I now hope to open these files again and share more of the creations given to us by you, the Dead Heads". The keeper of the Dead Files has put online hundreds of emails and newsletters and exuberantly colored and illustrated envelopes and letters from the fans of the Grateful Dead. There are, as you'd expect, many drawings of skeletons and American Beauty roses, but you certainly don't have to be a fan to appreciate all the handiwork, personality, and creativity that went into these. I like the irregularity of the hand drawn lettering. {via coudal}.
posted by iconomy (11 comments total)

[this is good]

Thanks for the linkie, ico.
posted by frykitty at 12:39 PM on February 6, 2003

Also check "The Almanac" at DeadNet. Each issue of this newsletter contains an excellent single sheet comic drawn by Tim Truman, illustrating a Robert Hunter song lyric. Like this one.
posted by coudal at 12:42 PM on February 6, 2003

Wow, thanks for the heads up, iconomy. The inventiveness and outright talent some of these people have is amazing. Trust the DeadHeads for being fantabulous artists!
posted by ashbury at 12:47 PM on February 6, 2003

That's a great link.
I remember people pondering if making their envelopes fancy and cool would help their chances of getting tickets. I wonder.
posted by aacheson at 12:53 PM on February 6, 2003

Aacheson, the word was always officially "no." Unofficially, I believe their best seats always went to the hand-decorated mail orders. The first time I decorated was because I feared getting shut out of the ultra-tough Albany tickets, and not only did I get them, I got beautiful floor seats. After that, I always did something, and I always got really tasty seats, even to high-demand shows.
posted by Banky_Edwards at 1:13 PM on February 6, 2003

word at philzone.com is that the GDP are calling it a day...
posted by aiq at 4:50 PM on February 6, 2003

word at philzone.com is that GDP is calling it a day...
posted by aiq at 4:51 PM on February 6, 2003

yay thanks for the link!
posted by katy_ at 7:10 PM on February 6, 2003

This is wonderful! According to this almanac entry, it looks like Eileen Law has been "archivist to the dead" for more than 30 years (3rd paragraph; almanac entry is from 1994), and her daughter joined her efforts in the '80s.

Banky, did you find any of your works online? Or do you happen to have any photos?
posted by taz at 11:30 PM on February 6, 2003

Yay, cool find iconomy! True folk art. Seems like fan missives delivered via message boards and e-mail won't be able to convey the same depth of personality, creativity and devotion.
posted by madamjujujive at 5:13 AM on February 7, 2003

Taz, I didn't see mine on there. And sadly, I never saved a copy. I guess I wasn't thinking that far ahead. But I'm really glad to know that it's out there somewhere, and it wouldn't surprise me if I do see it again someday. *sniff*
posted by Banky_Edwards at 1:35 PM on February 7, 2003