# Vintage Jerry Garcia Concert Photo & 1980s Backstage "Grateful Dead" Letter Lot

**A Remarkable Piece of Authentic Deadhead Tour Ephemera & Folk History**

Up for sale is a truly one-of-a-kind artifact from Grateful Dead tour history. This unique archival lot includes an authentic vintage color photo print of Jerry Garcia playing his legendary custom "Tiger" guitar, paired with a fascinating, multi-page handwritten letter from the photographer detailing exactly how he snuck backstage to take the shot.

### The Incredible Backstory (Written in the Letter):

The letter is written by a freelance fan-photographer named Mark Zamboni to a woman named Diane. In it, he details a classic, golden-era tour story. He explicitly admits to smuggling his camera equipment into the venue using a "phony press pass" belonging to a friend!

He talks about smooth-talking the venue checkers, notes that this specific photo was one of the few that actually turned out, and mentions selling his prints to fund his upcoming travels for the Grateful Dead Spring Tour (specifically referencing the upcoming April 7th finale at the Spectrum in Philadelphia).

The letter grounds its history perfectly by thanking Diane and the **Penn State Concert Committee** for a great time. Historical show records show the Dead played Penn State's Rec Hall on May 8, 1979, and May 6, 1980, firmly dating this incredible piece to that exact legendary window of time.

### What is Included in this Lot:

1. **The Photograph:** A high-quality vintage print capturing Jerry Garcia mid-performance bathed in warm stage lights while playing his Doug Irwin custom "Tiger" guitar. The photo is crisp and vibrant.

2. **The Backstage Story Letter:** A 2-page handwritten letter on yellow legal pad paper detailing the entire camera-smuggling tale, complete with the photographer’s name, signature, and his Danville, PA address at the bottom.

### Condition:

Both items are in excellent vintage condition. The letter has its original folding creases from when it was saved/shared, with clean, highly legible handwriting and no major tearing. The photo is bright, sharp, and clean—perfect for framing alongside the letter as a dual-display piece.

*This is an absolute must-have for serious Grateful Dead collectors, music historians, or anyone who loves the gritty, authentic culture of 1980s Dead lots.*

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### Shipping & Handling:

Ships securely packed flat in a rigid mailer with heavy cardboard backing and waterproof sleeve reinforcement. We want to ensure both the photograph and this fragile piece of paper history arrive at your doorstep in pristine condition.