ADDENDUM:
VULCAN GAS COMPANY
POSTERS, HANDBILLS, CARDS
JANUARY 2024
DENNIS VAN VRANKEN HICKEY
EMAIL: Dennishickey@Missouristate.edu
INTRODUCTION: As time passes, it should come as no surprise that a number of previously unknown posters, postcards and/or handbills may surface that were printed to promote shows sponsored by psychedelic nightclubs during the 1960s and 70s. This addendum provides an update to my chapter on the Vulcan Gas Company that was included in Eric King’s excellent tome, The Collector’s Guide to Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters, Postcards and Handbills, 1965-1973. Most pieces listed below are “variants” of previously catalogued items. But some are not. Collectors will note that these discoveries include VG-680130 (Golddiggers of 1937), VG-680221 (Cinema Classics-2), VG-681215 (Oleo Strut Benefit 2) and VG-691112 (Chuck Wagon Bust Benefit). In keeping with the format of the Guide, small black and white images for these recently uncovered pieces are included in this document. It is my sincere hope that collectors find this information helpful. And if I missed anything, please feel free to contact me.
VG-7 Brains & Guts
12/8/67 to 12/10/67
Gilbert Shelton
VG-7-OHB-B Same image & size as OHB-A, but black and pink
VG-9 Psycho Bubbles
12/22/67 to 12/31/67
Gilbert Shelton
VG-9-OHB-E Same image & size OHB-A, but black and green
VG-10 The Dragon
1/5/68 to 1/6/68
Robert Rush
VG-10-OP-2 The poster measures larger by ½ inch vertically than VG-10-OP-1, and poster appears to be a misprint or perhaps a test print. VG-6 OP-1 is printed on the reverse side.
VG-680116 Cinema Classics
1/16/68 to 2/6/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-680116-OHB-C Same image & size as OHB-A, but black and yellow
VG-680116-OHB-D Same image & size as OHB-A, but black and blue
VG-680130 Golddiggers of 1937
1/30/68
Unknown Artist
VG-680130-OHB-A Black & White Handbill measuring 5 ½ x 8 ½ inches promoting a vintage movie.
VG-680130-OHB-B Same as above, but untrimmed so half of handbill is blank (white) and the handbill measures 11 x 8 ½ inches
VG-10 The Dragon
1/5/68
Robert Rush
VG-10-OHB-E Same as other handbills but brown and white
VG-680221 Cinema Classics-2
2/21/68 to 3/12/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-680221-OHB-A Black and blue handbill on thin paper that measures 81/2
x 11 inches and promotes five movies. Images are not the same as those on VG-680116.
VG-680222 Bust Benefit Dance
2/22/68
Charlie Loving
VG-680222-OHB-B Same as VG-680222-OHB-A but on yellow paper
VG-680222-OHB-C Same as VG-680222-OHB-A but this version does not have images of jailed hippies in the middle of it. Likely a test-print.
VG-16 Plant Forms
3/1/68 to 3/9/68
Robert Rush
VG-16-OHB-C Uncut sheet of two handbills measuring roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches and identical to OHB-A
VG-18 Speakers
3/29/68 to 4/06/68
Gerry Storm
VG-18-OHB-B Same as OHB-A but centered in the middle of 8 ½ x 11inches piece of white paper
VG-19 Syringe Head
4/12/68 to 4/20/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-19-OHB-B Same as OHB-A but yellow and black
VG-680425 Down Home Night
4/25/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-680425-OHB-E Same as other handbills but black on very light blue/grey paper
VG-21 Canned Heat
5/10/68 to 5/11/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-21-OHB-B Same as OHB-A but red and blue image on white and measures 5 ¼ x 7 ¼ inches.
VG-21-OHB-C Same as above but printed on brown paper that resembles newsprint. Measures 5 ¼ x 7 inches.
VG-680621 Image of William Burroughs
6/21/68 to 6/22/68
Jim Franklin
VG-680621-OHB-D Same as OHB-A but black with different shades of green
VG-680627 Flash Comix
6/27/68 to 6/29/68
Gilbert Shelton
VG-680627-OHB-D Same as OHB-A but black and grey
VG-24 Explosion
7/07/68
Jim Franklin
VG-24-OHB-B This is an uncut handbill with same image of OHB-A on an 8 ½ x 11 inch piece of paper.
VG-680816 The Stairwell
8/16/68
Jim Franklin
VG-680816-OHB-C Same as OHB-A but black and pink
VG-680816-OHB-D Same but black and dark yellow
VG-681215 Oleo Strut Benefit 2
12/15/68
Artist Unknown
VG-68-12-15-OHB-A This rudimentary handbill contains no images. Rather, basic information is printed in black on a dark yellow piece of paper measuring 8 ½ x 5 ½ inches. Bands listed include Shiva’s Head Band, Texas Pacific and New Atlantis.
VG-690328 Headwall
3/28/69 to 4/4/69
John Shelton
VG-690328-OHB-B Same as OHB-A but does NOT include VG-690411 on reverse side.
VG-690812 Moon Pyramids
8/12/69 to 8/16/69
Jim Franklin
VG-690812-OP-2 Same as VG-690812 except the poster includes a white border so it measures 22 ½ inches by 28 ½ inches.
VG-691112 Chuck Wagon Bust Benefit
11/12/69 to 11/13/69
Artist Unknown
VG-691112-OHB-A This 8 ½ x 11 flyer promotes a benefit for those arrested in the Chuck Wagon dining area of the University of Texas Student Union on Monday, 11/10/69. As the crudely drawn handbill looks like a “rush job” and only lists Wednesday and Thursday (no date), it is assumed that the benefit was held on November 12 and 13.
