So Kelley cut it out of the tome with a pen knife, sneaked the page out of the library and brought it to the studio they were using. The problem, as Mouse admits, is that the book was so valuable that it couldn’t be checked out of the library. Given how old the illo was by then, Mouse adds, “It seemed pretty copyright-free.” “We saw that skeleton and said, ‘This says Grateful Dead all over it - we have to use this,’” Mouse recalls. This particular edition, from 1913, featured illustrations by British artist Edmund Joseph (sometimes E.J.) Sullivan, and one in particular spoke to them: a black-and-white drawing of a skeleton surrounded by roses, with a crown of them atop its head. Back to the library they went, and in the stacks, they found The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a collection of 11th century poems by the Persian writer. That year, the duo was recruited to make a poster for the Dead’s September 1966 show at the Avalon Ballroom. For inspiration, the two would sometimes drop into the San Francisco Public Library to peruse rare art and poster books. By 1966, artists Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley, two San Francisco-based artists, had formed a partnership and were already tapped into the Dead world. Untangling the saga of that illustration is nearly as long and strange a trip as the Dead’s saga itself. He snapped it up, and now that piece (titled “A Skeleton Amid Roses”) can be seen publicly, for the first time in more than three decades, in “Field Trip: Psychedelic Solution, 1986-1995,” part of the Outsider Art Fair at the Metropolitan House in New York. About 30 years ago, artist, curator and art collector Jacaeber Kastor was checking out a gallery auction and came across the nearly century-old ink drawing that served as the basis of the Dead’s logo and album art. By wearing our 13-Point Lightning Bolt jewelry, fans can carry a piece of the Grateful Dead's iconic energy with them, serving as a reminder of the power of music to inspire and unite.Anyone perusing a new psychedelic-era artwork exhibit in New York is bound to pause along the way and think, “Wait, isn’t that a Grateful Dead album cover?”Īnd they would be partly correct. These pieces, including pendants, earrings, and bracelets, capture the essence of the Grateful Dead's electrifying performances and the transformative nature of their music. In our sterling silver Grateful Dead collection, we've created a range of jewelry pieces that showcase the distinctive 13-Point Lightning Bolt design. Regardless of the intended meaning, the 13-Point Lightning Bolt has since taken on a life of its own, becoming a standalone symbol that represents the electric energy and spirit of the Grateful Dead. Others suggest that it could be a nod to the American flag, with the 13 points symbolizing the 13 original colonies. Some believe the number 13 holds spiritual significance, representing transformation and rebirth. The Lightning Bolt is unique in that it features 13 distinct points, a detail that has led to various interpretations among fans. This striking motif was originally designed as part of the Steal Your Face skull logo, symbolizing the unity of opposites and the transformative force of the band's music. The 13-Point Lightning Bolt is an iconic symbol closely associated with the Grateful Dead and has become an emblem of the band's energy and power.
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