The Amazing True Story of LSD Blotter-Art Collecting

By Thomas Lyttle

Illegal forms of LSD-25 on sheets of perforated paper began appearing around 1970. Today, most illegal LSD comes on perforated or unperforated blotter-paper. Still illegal, underground LSD comes stamped with logos, art and sold with brand-names. A famous example was the Albert Hoffman 25th Anniversary of LSD” blotter art. Today, blotter-art is so well known that advertisers use undipped blotter-art to promote CD’s, magazines and many “cool” products. “The Entheogen Review” offer blotter-art autographed by LSD discoverer Dr. Albert Hoffman. Conventions like “Mind States” advertises itself using LSD blotter art, inserted into magazines. Non-profit groups like MAPS Multi- Disciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies), the Albert Hoffman Foundation and The River Keeper’s Alliance have gotten substantial donations – believe it or not – from blotter-art brokers.

Finally, LSD gets some of the respect it deserves. Thanks to LSD blotter-art, LSD isn’t just the stuff of head shops or High Times magazine. It’s openly discussed as a serious topic in places that might surprise you. High-end art brokers, auction houses, autograph dealers, memorabilia experts and media experts - all know about LSD blotter-art. The most famous artists, authors, rock and roll stars, celebrities and stars have been involved. Posh, hip galleries host LSD blotter-art shows.

High profile charities are glad to be involved, finding LSD blotter-art funny, relevant and a great idea – not to mention serious business with serious money changing hands. LSD’s idealism is alive and well – and it pays. I suspected creating and selling LSD blotter-art might cause the wrong type of controversy, since we are in a “drug war”. But to my and other art brokers’ surprise, there hasn’t been. This is a wonderful thing considering the amount of witch-hunters and anti-drug crusaders out there.

It’s now OK to say, “I took acid”, buy the same art that started revolutions, changed laws, was illegal as hell. Parents Against Drugs groups, local PTA’s don’t know if this is good or bad, what is represents if anything, not to mention is it promoting the things we hate. And why does it sell so well? LSD after all is still one of the DEA’s favorite whipping boys, lied about as much as MDMA – LSD blotter-art aka blotter acid certainly did get the “this is brain on drugs” mugging in the media. And at the same time, LSD blotter-art – this looks exactly the same as the illegal, immoral stuff they hate and lie about – gets a pat on the back and major media.

Well, who would have thought the exact same perforated blotter-paper and art – minus the LSD – would sell like hotcakes to the same people who denounce LSD, who don’t even flinch. This is hilarious, not mention ironic since I make a good part of my living selling LSD blotter art. I’ve sold my own autographed blotter-art to police departments, drug counselors, DEA officials, Universities. It’s surreal seeing cops or DEA agents buy my blotter-art for office display – and I’m happy for the business - and then go out and bust somebody – prison here we come - for possessing this exact same art. The only difference being what’s inside the art – LSD. Yes, LSD blotter-art gets around, and ends up in the strangest places. On any given day you can purchase 60 brands on Ebay. Then hang LSD blotter-art on your wall or office.

Blotter-paper sheets are professionally perforated into 900 or more tiny ¼ inch squares. Each square is a “dose”, and the doses range in quality and dosage. When someone buys LSD today, they often get a few “hits” removed from a larger sheet. Mostly, nobody would see the larger art designs, just pieces of it. Only the cops and LSD wholesalers got the big picture, so to speak. Among LSD consumers it was great fun “eating the art”, then seeing the world repainted. Different brands of LSD soon appeared. People went LSD shopping with art in mind, wanting certain “brands” stamped with their favorite art. Very funny satirical acid-art started showing up, like “FBI Emblems” and Gorbachev “Gorby” blotter-acid. Every variety of pop art, cartoon characters, religious symbols or political slogans became fair game. LSD blotter art was spreading like wild fire,

The funniest, most satirical, holier-than-thou or downright confusing symbols get chosen – these seem to work the best as brand-names. Various types of occult or religious symbols, pop art, Moire or Pop-art patterns, fractal designs, cartoons really work well. Examples include “Chinese Dragons”, “Micky Mouse Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Beavis and Butthead”, “Bart Simpson”, “SouthPark",“Pentagram’s”, “Tetragammaton’s”, “The Eye Of Horus”, “Jesus’ Crucifixion (by Alex Grey)”, “Lucifer (by Reverend Samael)”, “Knights of Malta Crests”, and so on. LSD taking was and is a powerful spiritual experience for many, with political overtones. It also seems to quicken the creative process.

1960’s surrealist painters like Mati Klarwein and Robert Venosa were heavily influenced by LSD, painting the Santana “Abraxas” LP cover. “Abraxas” later appeared in miniature on LSD blotter-art. In San Francisco, underground artists like Stanley Mouse, Anton Kelley, Robert Crumb, Robert Williams and others created designs and characters for rock-and-roll poster art, based on LSD trips. Soon there was illegal “Mr. Natural”, “Flying Eyeballs”, ‘Felix the Cat” and “Goofy” LSD, available as blotter-art. In 2004, “Southpark” and “Beavis and Butthead” blotter-art is the rage.

In 1970’s Europe, H. R. Giger - Savador Dali’s best friend and named successor – had friends like “Mr. Sandoz”. Giger’s books “Necronomicon l”, and “Necronomicon ll” showed costumes, rituals and paintings so realistic, many experienced black-magical vibes, to this day. Giger’s work on the movie “Alien” won him an Academy Award, and accolades from LSD greats Dr. Stanislov Grov and Dr. Timothy Leary. HR Giger and I teamed up in 2002 to promote our favorite psychedelic – LSD. We designed and released hand-numbered, autographed “Giger blotter-art” using the image “Illuminatus l” – based on the work of Robert Anton Wilson’s “Illuminatus”. Retailing at $200.00 apiece, autographed LSD blotter-art was entering the world of serious art collecting and investors. The original 250 Giger’s sold out quickly.

Hollywood producers like Peter Fonda made LSD themed movies like “The Trip” and “Easy Rider” took the image of LSD to new heights. South American producer Allesandro Jadorowski’s “El Topo” took LSD mysticism to new heights. Hollywood was full of LSD and still is, with Cary Grant, Otto Preminger, Roger Corman, Stanley Kubrick and other director’s leading the way. This changed the face of modern cinema – not to mention the movies in our mind.

The great original collector and scene maker was Mark McCloud, a San Francisco art teacher and artist. McCloud’s collection covered everything from the beginning of the 1970’s up to today – literally several hundred types of LSD blotter-art. Most of this art – then an illegal medium for street LSD – was obtained sureptitiously on city streets (somehow) in undipped form. He obtained these sheets, matted and framed them and hung them like fine art or religious artifacts. Soon McCloud was promoting himself and his collection at galleries. National Public Radio gave McCloud exposure and he got art grants from The National Endowment for The Arts, and others. McCloud won first place at the San Francisco County Fair for his unusual but timely “art exhibition”. A highly publicized trial in the late 1990’s saw McCloud busted by the DEA & FBI for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute LSD, supplying chemists and wholesalers with 30,000 perforated sheets of undipped blotter-art. McCloud was acquitted, but his recklessness threw a temporary shadow over legitimate blotter-art dealers having nothing to do with real (and illegal) LSD sales. This was the second “bust” for Mr. McCloud on “conspiracy” charges linking him to illegal LSD sales, and his second “acquittal”. It is estimated that McCloud spent over half a million dollars on his defense, and the prosecution spent unknown amounts of money on a yearlong “stake out” of his home & businesses.

In 1995 The Entheogen Law Reporter headlined with an article titled “Chicago Police Seize 10,000 doses of Conceptual Artwork: Gallery Owner Arrested And Arrest Warrant Issued For Artist” by Rchard Glen Boire, Esq. This article describes the use of a faked medium – in this case “12 quart-sized laboratory bottles filled with an amber colored liquid… 12 bottles were arranged in a row on a small industrial metal table. At the time of the confiscation,”10,000 Doses” was in the front window of the Feigan Gallery, and on the window was emblazoned a four-foot high recipe for making LSD in the kitchen, taken from “The Anarchist Cookbook”. This history book is more novelty than serious threat to law inforcement.However, it remains popular and has gone through dozens of printings for publisher Lyle Stuart since the 1960’s.

All this adds to the seriousness and importance of LSD blotter-art collecting remaining legal, legitimate and part of the art community – not the (so-called) criminal counterculture. And certainly LSD blotter-art collecting is not part of any political revolution or illegal agenda. It is an apolitical and well-established art movement, which in fact has donated almost $20,000 to charities in 2004. Several full-time incomes have been developed out of this business, and a regular community has developed.

In 2004 Adam Stanhope, a well-known New England art & antiquities dealer, published the FBI’s case-file - used by the District Attorney’s Office and the FBI to prosecute Mr. McCloud. This ultra-rare, highly prized book is being sold in various limited editions. Such include hand-numbered, autographed editions with various bindings. Prices range from $500.00 to $2000.00 apiece. This underscores the seriousness of blotter-art remaining legitimate & “just art”.

There are at least 15 full time web sites devoted to blotter-art sales and collecting. Ebay regularly holds 50 to 75 “live” auctions where legitimate dealers and those interested in collecting converge. Galleries around the world hold regular events showcasing LSD blotter-art collecting. Such includes Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s “Galerie Macabre”, “Luna Star Cafe” and “Wild Seductions Gallery”, North Carolina’s __________ gallery, The San Francisco Art Institute, NYC’s Fuse Gallery and many others.

Several important rare book catalogs have mentioned or listed for sale LSD blotter art, including Flashback Books, Sclander’s Books (now called Beat Books), Key-Z Productions, Red Snapper Books and others. Prices range from $100.00 for undipped, unsigned art upwards to $4000.00 for Dr. Albert Hofmann autographed blotter-art. Other expensive listings include art autographed by Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Ram Dass, Tim (or the rarer Timothy) Leary, Paul Krassner, Fat Boy Slim, Howard “Mr. Nice” Marks, Ira Cohen, H.R. Giger, Peter Fonda, Laura Huxley, Annie Sprinkle, Robert Anton Wilson, Alex Grey, John Lilly and many other psychedelic luminaries. Several well-known underground artists like Richard Marx and Reverend Samael have appeared, with original blotter-art for sale, represented by legitimate brokers and galleries.

Blotter-art collecting has gotten so popular counterfeiting occurs from time to time.

Parts of Mark McCloud’s original underground collection has been counterfeited or “sampled”. “Red Lightning Bolts” and “Japanese Crests” have appeared in altered or reprinted versions, for instance. Since the blotter-art originals (from the 1970’s) contained real LSD at one point, many of the original artists were anonymous and remain so. This leaves authentication up to serious collectors, auctioneers and brokers.

Other recent counterfeit cases surround well-known artists H.R.Giger and Alex Grey. Grey’s art has repeatedly been ripped-off and resold as perforated blotter-art all over the world by unscrupulous opportunists. No money goes to the artist or his family when this occurs. H.R. Giger’s “Illuminatus 1” blotter-art (which is copyrighted by the artist) is another example which suffered from counterfeiting. Originally produced by myself with H.R. Giger and Leslie Barany in 2002, this numbered, autographed piece was sold (alongside real Giger blotter-art) for several months. Giger fakes (of poor quality) were discovered being sold at Phish and Other Ones rock concerts, then on Ebay. Threatened legal action stopped this counterfeiting cold.

Legal issues surrounding LASD blotter-art have been minimal. I recently went into British Columbia carrying about 50 sheets of signed and unsigned blotter-art, and was stopped by customs. They knew immediately what it was (or was supposed to be). After about an hout long lecture – one of my best and funniest – a crowd of customs officials were drawn to the conversation. They immediately recognized that this was only art, albeit controversial and creative. Customs seemed amused enough, but at no time did tests or removed anything from my collection for review. I walked right into BC. Canada with my perforated sheets of blotter-acid art, selling several to collectors, with a great new story to boot.

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Some of the major players involved with collecting classic blotter-art, collecting new blotter-art or creating custom-made blotter-art for celebrity signatures or promotions include Louisiana’s Big Jon Blackburn; Boston’s Adam Stanhope; London’s Paul “Monkey” Guest; myself – Sir Thomas Lyttle of Fort Lauderdale; Scott “Scott The Jew” or “Acid Scott” Wollman of Hollywood, California, and Hollywood, Florida;

New England and Florida’s Rick Doblin; San Francisco’s Mark McCloud; NYC’s Jacaeber Kastor; Alex Perlstein of North Carolina; New Mexico’s Lisa Law; South East

Florida’s Robert Demerest and many others. Many important players choose to remain in cyberspace, using avatar-names like Leo Brat to broker art – staying anonymous to most.

In closing, let me say that ergot research has been around for centuries. The ancient Order of Saint Anthony – headquartered in Basle, Switzerland – were among the first to formally investigate it, under the guise of Vatican emergency – during to famous Saint Anthony’s Fire period. However, ergot has been investigated through the centuries – well-known to initiates and included in pharmacopaeia’s and herbals. Dr. Albert Hofmann, knowing of it’s mythical and legendary attributes – and investigating it’s effects on specific blood flow around the uterus, as well as it’s other effects as a poison – “stumbled upon LSD-25, after 25 preparations with the molecule. It has been estimated that at least 50% of street LSD today is LSD-49, an somewhat similar and perhaps more stable chemical.

Today’s LSD is still around, but it is difficult to find. Best of luck with your interests in this piece of LSD-25’s (and LSD-49 and others) adventures in the underground, as popularized by Tim Leary and The Brotherhood of Eternal Love, Ken Kesey and The Merry Pranksters, Ram Dass and Krishna Das, Stephen Gaskin and The Farm, The Hog Farm and Wavy Gravy, The Caravan of Europe and many, many others who choose to remain anonymous.

Amen and God Bless LSD, and God bless LSD blotter art – a true piece of The American Spirit. 

References:

1. “LSD Art: On a Trip at Galerie Macabre” by Ike Crumbler. The East Sider: Fort Laud, Florida (Nov. 24, 1999). 2pp. Front, full- page photo features Thomas Lyttle (with Galerie Macabre owner Lady Vanessa) holding up “Geisha” blotter-art, signed by Timothy Leary.

2. “LSD Art Passes The Test of Art Collectors” by Dennis Romero. The Los Angeles Times (11-3-95). “Life and Style” section: Part E, page 1. Photos of “Octopus” and “Japanese Crests” blotter-art.

3. “Flower Power: The Owners of a New Gallery Want to Turn A Few Sheets Of Colorful Blotter-Acid Paper Into a Full-Fledged Exhibition. Are They Hallucinating?” New Times: Broward County, Fla. (June 14-20, 2001). Pp. 39. Photos of “Beavis and Butthead” and “Dancing Condoms” blotter-art.

4. “Suitable For Frying” by Michelle Kay. The Nose (No. 25) (Circa 1995). Photos include “Father of LSD: Albert Hoffman”, “Acorn”, “Ha” and “ Rock Album Covers” blotter-art.

5. “Dream Tokens: Collecting LSD Blotter Art” by Thomas Lyttle. Project X (No. 32). 2 pp. Circa 1996). Photos include “Eye In the Pyramid (Illuminati)”, “Flying Saucer” blotter-art.

6. “Lucky Charms: The World of LSD Blotter Art Collecting” by Thomas Lyttle. Heads (No. 13) April 2003. 3pp. Includes an index to galleries, auctioneers and web sites selling blotter-art. Photos include “Bob Marley”, “Spy Vs. Spy” and “Psychedelic Jesus” blotter-art autographed by Tim Leary.

7. “Hallucinogens: A Forensic Drug Handbook” by Richard Laing and Jay A. Siegel.(Academic Press/Elsevier, 2003). See “Blotter-Paper”. Pp.41, chapter section 2.2.2. Photos show illegal blotter-art dipped in LSD, and collectable LSD-free blotter-art. Photos include Mark McLoud’s “Mad Hatter”, “Beavis and Butthead” and “Dancing Condom” blotter-art.

8. “Reading About Feeding Your Head” by John Ferri. New Times: Broward County, Fla. (Dec. 1999). Page unknown. Photo shows Thomas Lyttle masking half his face, using “Felix The Cat” blotter-art.

9. “Vroom: Official Catalog Of Rock and Roll.” Retail catalog (circa 1997). Pp. 6-7. Photos of “Alice In Wonderland” and “Mad Hatter” blotter-art for sale, both autographed by Tim Leary: $250.00 each.

10. “Red Snapper Books Catalog” (No’s. 15-18: 2003, 2004). The Aquarium, 10 Woburn Walk. London, WC1H OJL, UK. / www.redsnapperbooks.com . Phone: 020 7387 2867. Lists rare and expensive blotter-art, for sale. Investment quality blotter-art includes “Fractal Sun”, autographed by Tim Leary circa 1994 : 375.00 British Sterling, $500.00 US. “Knights of Malta: Coat of Arms (Crests)”: Autographed by Dr. Albert Hofmann and Dr. Timothy Leary (circa 1990): 2500.00 British Sterling, $3000.00 US.

11. “Skyline Books: Modern, Beat and Counterculture Literature” (Catalog No. 29: 2003) SkylinBK@ix..netcom.com . Phone: 415-488-9491. Lists “Tantric Couple” blotter-art autographed by Allen Ginsberg. Autographed in 1995 to raise funds for The Albert Hofmann Foundation: $600.00. US.

12. “Artrock: Rock Poster Catalog” (1995-2003). Lists “Timothy Leary’s Head”: $600.00 US. Autographed.

13. “Acid Art” by Jennifer Holmes. Wired Magazine (2 pp.). (Circa 1997) Photos include “Mickey Mouse Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Gorbachev (Gorby Acid)” and “Silver/Red Lightning Bolt” blotter-art.

14. “Illegal Drugs” by Paul Gahlinger, Ph.D., MD. (Plume Books, 2003). Pp. 312 shows sheets of illegal blotter-acid, including “Flying Witches”, “Smiley Faces” and “Mushrooms”.

15. “The Cure of Souls” and “The Holy Travels Of The Rebel Replevin” gallery booklets. (1987). This San Francisco and NYC art tour featured Mark McCloud, Jacaebor Kaiser, Carlo McCormick and others’ collection of framed (undipped) LSD blotter art. About 75 pieces were exhibited. A 12’ X 12” fold-out booklet was offered, featuring several pages of loose text written by well-known art-critic Carlo McCormick about blotter-art. Full color, various pages were shaped square or pyramidal. A 1 X 1 inch gold-embossed eye-in-the triangle came stamped on the front.

16. Lyttle, Thomas (Ed.) “Psychedelic Monographs and Essays Vol. 5” (PM & E Publishing Group, 1991). This 318 pp. journal featured a wrap-around cover showing “The Cure of Souls” poster as done by NYC’s “Psychedelic Solution” art gallery, and gallery owner Jacaeber Kastor. Shows at least 25 brands (out of 75) of (undipped) LSD blotter-art, including “Flying Saucers”, “Flying Eyeballs”, “Father of LSD, Albert Hoffman’s”, “Octopus” and others. Full color. The “About Our Cover” section (pp. 11-15) details the history of the larger promotional poster, and the then touring “Cure of Souls” art shows of McCloud, Kastor and others. Also mentioned is national press coverage, funding sources and other events.

17. “Chicago Police Seize 10,000 Doses Conceptual Artwork: Gallery Director Arrested And Warrant Issued For Arrest” in The Entheogen Law Reporter (9) Winter, 1995. Pp. 81-82. This article describes the case of Gregory Green, an artist with a master’s of fine arts degree from The School of Art Institute of Chicago, and Chicago’s Feigan, Inc. art gallery.