Grateful Dead Skull & Roses Promotional Poster (1971)

Original Warner Bros. Records Promo | 22 x 28.25 Inches

This rare 1971 promotional poster was issued by Warner Bros. Records to promote the Grateful Dead’s iconic self-titled live album, commonly known as Skull & Roses. Measuring 22 x 28.25 inches, the poster was distributed exclusively to record stores and industry contacts under the headline “New on Warner Bros. Records”, and was never sold commercially, making it a prized collectible from the peak of the Dead’s early success.

Released in October 1971, Skull & Roses was the Grateful Dead’s second live album and the first to achieve gold record status. Officially titled simply Grateful Dead, the album quickly became known by fans and collectors as Skull & Roses due to its striking cover art, featuring a skeleton crowned with roses, drawn from an 1913 illustration by Edmund Joseph Sullivan and adapted by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse of the famed Family Dog collective.

The poster mirrors this legendary imagery, with vivid color and high-impact typography that capture the psychedelic visual language of the early 1970s. It was produced in limited quantities solely for promotional use, making originals from the initial print run increasingly hard to find in good condition.

This poster not only represents one of the most visually enduring symbols of the Grateful Dead but also marks a pivotal moment in their trajectory, from cult heroes to national touring legends. The album included definitive live versions of “Bertha,” “Me and My Uncle,” and “Wharf Rat,” solidifying the Dead’s reputation as one of America’s greatest live bands.

Whether you're a longtime Deadhead or a serious collector of vintage rock memorabilia, this 1971 Skull & Roses promo poster is an essential piece of Grateful Dead history.

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