1974 Spassky - Byrne Poster

We don't see many posters in this blog's series for Top eBay Chess Items by Price (March 2010), and I'm not sure why. Is it because there aren't many chess posters that command three or four digit prices? Or because there aren't many chess posters in existence? Or because of some other reason.

The item shown below was titled 'Genuine 1974 Vintage Chess Poster Boris Spassky vs. Robert Byrne in Puerto Rico'. It sold for US $599.95 'Buy It Now'.

The description added,

Here we offer a scarce (perhaps singular) relic from the apogee of the 1970's worldwide chess craze: an original silk-screened poster promoting the January 1974 Cold War chess match between USSR champion Boris Spassky and American grandmaster Robert Byrne, held at the College of Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The poster is signed in the plate, "AM". I purchased this poster 35 years ago from the front window of the renowned Village Chess Shop in Greenwich Village, NYC. Though it's got some minor tears, stains, pin holes, and creases, it is printed on very thick stock and looks absolutely wonderful. The design is remarkable and worthy of a centerpiece location! Measures 18.25 x 25.75 inches.

The match is documented on my World Championship page 1973-75 Candidates Matches as:-

Quarterfinal match; San Juan, Puerto Rico; I, 1974; Spassky - Byrne; +3-0=3 (4.5-1.5)

For another eBay poster from the same era, see 1972 Fischer - Spassky Poster (March 2013). By coincidence, an alternative item for this current post was also from the 1972 Fischer - Spassky match. Its decription said,

Exceptional memorabilia from the closing ceremony of The World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland 1972 where Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky played the match of the century in Reykjavik, Iceland 1972. An item like this only comes on the market every 10-15 years.

A signed conclusional banquet menu from the closing ceremony of the World Chess Championship 1972. With official stamp and cancel of the match, dated September 3rd 1972. Signatures of the newly crowned world champion Bobby Fischer and the newly defeated champion Boris Spassky and the chief arbiter Lothar Schmid. Size approx. 24 x 10,5 cm (folded).

The menu sold for US $1525 after five bids from two bidders.