Vintage glossy 10 x 8 Grossman-Glotzer Management promo photo of Joplin mid-performance, signed in black ballpoint, "Love, Janis Joplin, xx." In fine condition, with scattered light creasing and tiny surface impressions. Archivally corner-mounted, matted, and framed under Tru Vue Museum Glass to an overall size of 18 x 16. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and a full letter of authenticity from REAL.
This image was captured by photographer Don Hunstein during Joplin’s performance at the CBS/Columbia Records National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in July 1968. Joplin, along with Big Brother and the Holding Company, performed at the convention in celebration of their recent signing with the label. Indeed, Joplin’s breakthrough album, Cheap Thrills, would be released within weeks of this performance. Led by the raucous 'Piece of My Heart,' the record would spend eight nonconsecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard charts.
Manager Albert Grossman signed Big Brother and the Holding Company on the strength of Joplin’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967. Even then, however, it was clear that Joplin was on another level from the rest of the band, and she would announce her intent to leave Big Brother shortly after her performance in Puerto Rico. Tragically, Joplin would be found dead of a heroin overdose at Hollywood’s Landmark Hotel on October 4, 1970. Authentic signed photographs of Janis Joplin rarely come to market; this is the first we have offered in nearly a decade.
