Paul Jenkins 1971 Earth Day Poster

This is a vibrant abstract expressionist poster created by American artist Paul Jenkins for Earth Day in 1971. The artwork features Jenkins' signature 'Phenomena' style, characterized by fluid, translucent washes of color that appear to flow and merge across the composition. Dominant colors include bold primary blue, secondary greens, yellows, and vertical streaks of red and purple. The composition is overlaid with thin, sweeping green lines that suggest a leaf or organic petal structure, framing the central explosion of color. In the upper left quadrant, the text 'EARTH DAY' is printed above the date 'APRIL 22'. The artist's signature, 'Paul Jenkins', is printed in the lower left section. The piece is likely a lithograph or high-quality screen print on paper, measuring approximately 1852 x 2524 pixels in digital format. This specific poster was part of a series commissioned to celebrate the second-ever Earth Day, marking a significant intersection of the 1970s environmental movement and contemporary art. The condition appears fair with even lighting, though the edges are cropped in this view. The colors remain saturated, suggesting it has been kept out of direct sunlight, though minor surface undulations typical of aged paper may be present under closer physical inspection.

Upon examination of the 1971 Earth Day poster by Paul Jenkins, I have assessed this piece as a significant artifact of both the Abstract Expressionist movement and environmental history. The artwork successfully captures Jenkins' signature 'Phenomena' style through its fluid, translucent washes of primary and secondary colors. Based on the digital representation, the saturation remains remarkably high, suggesting that while the item exhibits minor undulations typical of 50-year-old paper, it has likely been spared from significant UV damage and fading. Market demand for Jenkins remains steady among collectors of the New York School, and his Earth Day commission is particularly sought after for its cultural intersectionality. Similar lithographic posters from this 1971 series have historically realized between $350 and $700 at auction, depending on the crispness of the edges and the presence of original mounting. The 'Fair' condition noted—specifically the cropping and minor surface irregularities—places this example toward the mid-range of the market. Critically, this valuation is contingent upon the piece being an original 1971 lithograph rather than a later offset reproduction. From these images alone, I cannot definitively verify the paper weight, the ink penetration, or the presence of a watermark. To confirm authenticity and reach the upper valuation tier, an in-person examination is required to check for the characteristic 'bleed' of a true lithograph and to inspect the reverse for acid-transfer or prior mounting damage. Full provenance documentation or a certificate of authenticity from the Jenkins estate would provide a significant 'premium' to the final market value.