This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: Van Halen 1971 Genesis Victory Dance Mimeograph Flyer With COA
Item Details: This is a phenomenal and incredibly elusive artifact from the absolute infancy of hard rock royalty, featuring an original 8 1/2 x 11 inch mimeographed flyer promoting a concert by Genesis. Held on November 12, 1971, at Arcadia High School, this performance took place as a post-game Victory Dance following a local football match. Long before dominating global arenas as Van Halen, the legendary trio of Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and original bassist Mark Stone were refining their explosive sound under this early name. Adding immense charm and cultural value to this piece, the promotional text is uniquely mimeographed onto the reverse side of an unused high school etiquette or stage presence grading sheet, serving as a marvelous testament to the grassroots, DIY nature of the band's earliest self-promoted gigs. It represents a holy grail acquisition for serious rock historians and advanced collectors of Van Halen archives.
Provenance / Authenticity: This lot originates directly from the personal collection of Mark Stone, a multi-talented artist who was the original bass player and backing vocalist for Mammoth and Van Halen from 1972 to 1974 and an accomplished luthier. As a foundational figure in the band's legendary early history, Stone performed on their seminal studio demos and extended his creative contributions by designing the iconic original band logo utilized by Mammoth and early Van Halen. Offered directly from his estate, these historic items will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by an authorized representative of the Stone estate.
Before Van Halen became one of the most successful hard rock bands of the late 1970s and 1980s, Dutch-born brothers Edward and Alex Van Halen performed in the Pasadena area under names including Genesis and Mammoth, building a local following through high school dances, backyard parties and small club dates. That grassroots circuit shaped the band that, after adding singer David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony, signed with Warner Bros. and released its self-titled debut album in 1978. Edward Van Halen's guitar playing, particularly the two-handed tapping technique showcased on "Eruption," influenced a generation of rock guitarists, and the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Condition: The flyer is in exceptionally good condition for a vintage paper ephemeral item of its age, demonstrating superb preservation through decades of careful storage. The paper retains its structural soundness, with the mimeographed graphics and underlying grading sheet text remaining perfectly clean and clear. Evidence of natural aging is visible in the form of light foxing along the outer edges of the sheet, and a very small nick is present along the right edge from historical handling. These minor blemishes are entirely standard for authentic 1970s concert flyers and do not compromise the exceptional display quality of this museum-grade piece.
SKU: DST1005