Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Tap City Circus

Announcement, "Roofle" at Tap City Circus

Announcement for "Roofle," a Tap City Circus raffle in Los Angeles, October 30, 1966. Designed by George Herms. Letterpress, woodblock, and rubber stamping. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Hal Glicksman, 2009.M.5.6

Beginning in 1965, whenever he was short on funds (“tapped out”), George Herms held Tap City Circuses in Topanga Canyon. The raffles often had artworks as prizes. Lucky winners could sometimes also squirt Herms with a hose. Herms gave a different name to each event, visible on the hand-printed invitations.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • The Librarian

    The Librarian, 1960, George Herms. Wooden box, papers, books, loving cup, and painted stool. 57 x 63 x 21 in. Norton Simon Museum, Gift of Molly Barnes. © George Herms

  • LA Odyssey

    L.A. Odyssey, 1969, Diane di Prima (poet), cover design by George Herms. Poets Press, San Francisco, 1969. Offset lithograph. 8 5/8 x 5 9/16 x 1/16 in. Book © Diane di Prima. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.27. Cover image © George Herms

Explore the Archive

  • Announcement, “Raffle” at Tap City Circus

    Announcement for “Raffle,” a Tap City Circus raffle in Los Angeles, June 6, 1965. Designed by George Herms. Letterpress, woodblock, rubber stamping, and tinted gelatin silver print. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Rolf G. Nelson, 2010.M.38.4

  • George Herms at “Earful” raffle

    George Herms at “Earful,” a Tap City Circus raffle in Los Angeles, 1972. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.24. Photo by and © Jerry Maybrook

  • Announcement, "Earful" at Tap City Circus

    Announcement for “Earful,” a Tap City Circus raffle in Los Angeles, February 20, 1972. Designed by George Herms. Letterpress, woodblock, and rubber stamping. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.25. © J. Paul Getty Trust