A Grunge Masterpiece: Massive 40" x 40" Nevermind Record Store Promo Poster showcasing one of the largest Kurt Cobain Signatures with EXACT Photo Match!Kurt Cobain is one of the most coveted autographs in the collectible rock universe. Valued in the same ranks as fellow icons like Hendrix, Morrison and Dylan, part of what drives the value is the sheer difficulty to decipher the authenticity of a Kurt Cobain autograph. Cobain's penmanship was sporadic and varied, and given that he was relevant in the Sharpie era of the 1990s, it is exceptionally easy for forgers to replicate his autograph. Most authenticators are hesitant to verify an example without extraordinary provenance.
That all being said, presented here is an exceptional example of Kurt Cobain's coveted scripting with indisputable photo evidence, making it perhaps the most verifiable and authentic example to ever appear in the hobby. Penned on a 40" x 40" record store promotional poster issued for "Nevermind", Cobain has boldly penned in black felt tip marker, "Autograp [sic], by Kurdt." The autograph and inscription are HUGE, measuring 15 inches wide and 8 inches tall, with "Kurdt" itself spanning 8 inches in width and 3 inches in height. You'd be hard pressed to find a bolder or larger signature from the grunge icon.
According to the supporting provenance, the signature on this poster was obtained on October 5, 1991 at the 40-Watt Club in Athens, GA. A Mr. James Small, who worked at Manifest Records in Columbia, SC at the time, decided to band together with some friends and take a road trip to the venue to see the up-and-coming Seattle act. Small removed the poster from the record store and brought it with him to the venue in hopes of getting it signed. "Nevermind" was released a little over a week prior to the show on September 24th, and the swelling of popularity for Nirvana was taking shape.
According to a recollection by Small, the band was a bit intoxicated on the evening, which in part may have contributed in a positive way to the inception of this autographed poster. As shown in the photo of Cobain, not only did Cobain provide a robust autograph, the Nirvana frontman showed his playful side by taking his cigarette and posing it in the mouth of the infant Spencer Elden (who was the baby posed on Nevermind's iconic cover image). Yes, Kurt Cobain's DNA is present on this poster. No, don't buy it with the intention of cloning him in the future!
Having previously hung in the record store, the poster does exhibit some light wrinkling and handling wear, along with pin holes in each of the four corners from it's initial display. However, the poster has been well taken care of since being signed and any flaws would be greatly diminished or eliminated with framing if desired.
This is simply an extraordinary piece with an exceptional autograph and indisputable provenance, and in our 20 years of business, this is undoubtedly the best Kurt Cobain/Nirvana signed piece that we've ever seen or handled! Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).