Janis Joplin at Newport Folk Festival, 1968.  Postcard published by Art Unlimited, Amsterdam.  Photo by Elliot Landy.

Janis Joplin (1943 – 1970) was an American singer, songwriter and music arranger. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company and later as a solo artist. Joplin was a pioneer in the male-dominated rock music scene of the late 1960s, influencing generations of musicians to come. Stevie Nicks commented that after seeing Joplin perform, "I knew that a little bit of my destiny had changed. I would search to find that connection that I had seen between Janis and her audience. In a blink of an eye she changed my life."

The band made another East Coast tour during July–August 1968, performing at the Newport Folk Festival. After returning to San Francisco for two hometown shows at the Palace of Fine Arts Festival on August 31 and September 1, Joplin announced that she would be leaving Big Brother. The group continued touring through the fall and Joplin gave her last official performance with Big Brother at a Family Dog benefit on December 1, 1968.

Note: This postcard is black & white, there is NO Red Line around the edge of the actual card.

This postcard features a captivating monochrome photograph of a female singer intensely performing at a music event. The singer, standing alone, is positioned at the center of the frame, revealing her commanding presence. She is caught mid-performance, her expression a mixture of passion and concentration. Her eyes appear closed, allowing her to be completely absorbed in her craft, enhancing the emotional depth of the scene.

The singer's long, voluminous hair cascades around her face and shoulders, adding a dynamic, almost ethereal quality to the image. Her attire contributes to the overall dramatic effect; she wears a beaded or sequined top, which reflects light, capturing the viewer’s attention amidst the darker tones of the photograph. This shimmering garment pairs with her raw emotional expression to highlight her vitality and charisma.

She grips the microphone stand with both hands, a gesture that suggests the intensity and power of her performance. The stand itself is partially seen at the borders of the image, anchoring the scene realistically within the context of a stage performance. The background is understated and blurred, ensuring that the focus remains solely on the artist and her emotional delivery.

The lighting in this photograph is particularly noteworthy. A spotlight seems to illuminate her from the front, casting subtle shadows and enhancing her facial features and the texture of her hair, while the peripheries fade into soft shadows, contributing to a moody, atmospheric quality.

This postcard likely appeals to music enthusiasts and collectors of music memorabilia, capturing not just a moment but the spirit of live performance and the personal intensity artists deliver during their shows. It's a striking visual homage to the fervor and the personal connection musicians share with their audience during live performances.