Design for Avalon Spaceman Poster

The original design for the Avalon Spaceman Poster was taken from a 1954 photo, by Ralph Morse, of an Air Force pilot, with patterns of light covering his face and shoulders (like a contour map), being measured for a perfectly fitted flight helmet. This was the cover story of the December 6, 1954, issue of LIFE; a report simply titled: "Jet Age Man."

This same image was used for two extremely popular and enduring psychedelic posters in San Francisco and Detroit known as both "Zebra Man" and "Spaceman".

• Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelly utilized the image for a 9/30 - 10/1/66 gig at the Avalon Ballroom by the 13th Floor Elevators.

 

• Gary Grimshaw borrowed the image for 10/21 - 22/66 gig at Detroit's Grande Ballroom by the MC5.

Here's a vid with a close-up of the Avalon Spaceman poster: