Christie’s is proud to present the inaugural online-only Vintage Film Posters sale which will run from 13 – 24 June 2014 and is accessible here. The sale features a broad range of posters from international films, Hollywood epics, science fiction, and classic thrillers. The sale spans almost 100 years of film history with posters dating from 1914 through to 2013 – from the U.S., Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Austria with estimates ranging from 800 – 25,000 GBP.
Highlights include (GBP):
– Casablanca, 1942 (estimate: 18,000-25,000);
– The Circus, 1927 (estimate: 10,000-15,000);
– Creature from the Black Lagoon, 1954 (estimate:10,000-15,000);
– The Wizard of Oz, 1939 (estimate: 7,000 – 9,000).
So instantly recognisable to movie audiences was Chaplin’s Little Tramp by the time of The Circus, illustrators could risk showing him from any angle – even from behind. At the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, Chaplin was given a special award for ‘versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing The Circus.’ We believe this is the only copy of this poster known to exist (estimate: 10,000-15,000).
Iconic horror and science fiction films from the 1930s-50’s are the most sought after among collectors and continually achieve the highest prices at auction. The CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON poster offered in the sale is the first we have seen at Christie’s in its original un-backed state (estimate: 10,000 – 15,000). Movies that are universally loved by generations such as THE WIZARD OF OZ and CASABLANCA are always in high demand. In the 75th anniversary year of everyone’s favourite MGM musical The Wizard Of Oz, we are thrilled to offer the rare U.S. title card, the most sought after from the original lobby card set that would have been displayed in theaters throughout America in 1939 (estimate: 7,000 – 9,000).
