Helix Vol. V No. 5 November 14, 1968: Ad for Grateful Dead Show in Seattle; Walt Crowley Comic Omega-84; Draft Board Members Exposed; Robert Crumb Comic
Seattle: Helix, 1968. Walt Crowley, Tim Harvey, Robert Crumb. First Printing. Tabloid Newspaper. Tabloid printed on newsprint measuring 11.5 x 16 inches. Pp. 22. Front and rear covers printed in color; center-spread printed black and brown. Just a suggestion of age-toning to edges, else bright and fresh. Very Good+. Item #6428 In late spring 1967, Helix joined a burgeoning underground press then including groundbreaking alternative papers the East Village Other, the Los Angeles Free Press, the Fifth Estate and the Berkeley Barb. Founded by Paul Sawyer, Paul Dorpat and Lorenzo Milam, it sprang from their intellectual fervor at the Free University, an alternative thinktank they also founded. Eventually star-illustrator Walt Crowley assumed editorship. A pebble in the shoe of Seattle establishment, the "hip rag" brought attention to civic injustice by rallying its youthful readership to activism. The apogee of that effort followed the 1970 killing of students at Kent State: over the course of May 5-8, Helix organized protests that blocked US Interstate 5 while marching between the University District and rallies at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle. This issue is housed in a removable, clear sleeve with an acid-free backing.
A particularly rich issue of the Seattle underground bi-weekly (that transitioned to a weekly in September 1969) featuring a full page ad on the rear cover for the November 17, 1967 Grateful Dead show labeled a "Benefit for Indian Rights" at Seattle's Eagles Auditorium. The Dead headlined both an afternoon and evening set, Byron Pope, Easy Chair opening with lights by Retina Circus. The artwork for the ad is by Walt Crowley, credited as Shoddy Art Company. Another ad promotes a show by Jeff Beck, recently of the Yardbirds, also at Eagles Auditorium. Notably, this issue also features the publication of home addresses and phone numbers for members of respective greater Seattle Draft Boards. Finally, a Robert Crumb comic occupies an entire page ("Edgar and Maryjane A Family Comic Strip for Hippies").
Price: $150.00