This weekend eMoviePoster.com is offering a Star Wars auction of movie posters and paper-related collectibles, centering around the impressive collection of Kevin LaNeave. He has been acquiring Star Wars posters since the 1980s, amassing over 250 posters from the United States and around the world for all six films and other promotional material. As things are heating up in the auction, Scoop had the chance to speak with LaNeave about his collection, his appreciation for the Star Wars films and poster art, and what is in the auction.
Scoop: You got to see Star Wars when it was first released in theaters in 1977, what was it about the movie that pulled you in?
Kevin LaNeave (KL): The adventure, the visual spectacle of it all. I was very young at the time, so all of the spaceships and alien lifeforms were very engaging for a young boy.
Scoop: As an adult, are you still a fan of the series?
KL: Very much so. The first movie is still the gem of the series… the innocence, the humor, the primitive simplicity of it all. What I’m looking forward to most is exposing my children soon to the first 1977 movie and to see what their reactions are to it, since they have already been exposed to the characters at home with my various collection items.
Scoop: With The Force Awakens heading for theaters, now is a great time to sell Star Wars collectibles. What made now the right time in your life to sell your collection?
KL: For my movie poster collection, it came down to simply realizing I just do not have a house big enough – and probably won’t ever have one big enough – to hang up and frame to display all 300 plus posters, well over 250 of which are Star Wars. I’m a big fan of the oversized 40” x 60” vintage theatrical posters of the late ’70s and early ’80s, so those are the ones I opted to keep for my collection for years to come. All of the others I just simply don’t have the wall space for.
Scoop: Outside of the Star Wars series, what movie posters have you collected?
KL: The posters from the Indiana Jones series has been my other poster collecting interest. I also collected some other miscellaneous ’70s/’80s posters from films I enjoyed in my youth. But mostly, it's all been about Star Wars and Indiana Jones – great artwork from so many great artists!
Scoop: Which was your first Star Wars movie poster and when did you get it?
KL: The very first poster I got was probably the Commercial Factors poster from 1977 with the two droids: R2 and C-3PO. I recently discovered that old beat up poster in a tube from years ago. The first theatrical poster I had was the 1981 rerelease Empire Strikes Back poster, which we actually got from my local hometown cinema after it finished playing there then.
Scoop: Which poster would you say is the most valuable that’s in the auction?
KL: The 1978 John Alvin art Concert poster is the most valuable I think. The artwork is just beautiful, and now has become somewhat iconic.
Scoop: Which poster is your favorite?
KL: I’m still a big fan of the first Star Wars poster – the Howard Chaykin 1976 San Diego Comic-Con poster. That has a unique style that no other Star Wars poster has.
Scoop: Do you have a favorite Star Wars poster artist?
KL: Drew Struzan is the easy answer, but I am also a big fan of Tom Jung and Roger Kastel’s work. Jerry Vanderstelt does stunning modern artwork for special fan convention events. But my favorite movie poster artist of all time sadly never did a Star Wars poster – that would be Richard Amsel, who is known for the iconic Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 and 1982 posters – as well as Flash Gordon 1980 and The Dark Crystal 1982 among others.
Scoop: Did you have any of your posters autographed?
KL: Why yes I do… but that’s for an entirely different interview – ha! None of those are for sale, at least not anytime soon… I have a full cast and crew poster for all six original George Lucas produced films with over 285 signatures. I have a Raiders of the Lost Ark 40” x 60” with over 20 main cast and crew signatures, and I have a Lord of the Rings UK quad poster with over 50 signatures from the main cast and crew.
Scoop: How much did condition impact your decision to buy a poster?
KL: Condition is a huge purchase consideration factor. I really was not a fan of buying folded posters, if I knew it was ever also available in rolled condition.
Scoop: Has linen-backing been a factor for you?
KL: For posters that suffered wear and tear over time, and needed some restoration work, yes, I am a big fan of linen-backing.
Scoop: In addition to the standard poster sizes, are there other Star Wars paper items in the auction at eMoviePoster.com?
KL: Yes, there are smaller flyer handbill sized theatrical hand out posters called heralds, as well as mini-posters that are 11” x 17” usually. There are also a few oversized 40” x 60” and even bigger 72” x 48” bus shelter posters in the auction as well.
Scoop: Star Wars is a film series that produces several poster designs for its films. Was it your goal to purchase each style made for the films?
KL: Not each style, but many styles that I found as visually engaging and fun to look at.
Scoop: Did you collect international examples as well?
KL: I collected only a small handful of various international posters. I love The Empire Strikes Back Australian or Japanese artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai. I also love some of the alternate British quad art. The Polish exploding Darth Vader head poster from Return of the Jedi is also an eye-grabber.
Scoop: What is your favorite international Star Wars poster?
KL: I recently saw a British quad Hildebrandt art poster from the first 1977 movie in someone else’s collection and it is just jaw-dropping gorgeous. Sadly, I never had a realistic opportunity to purchase one of those at an affordable price.
Scoop: Do you also collect Star Wars action figures, playsets, and other memorabilia?
KL: I do, but I used to collect the vintage Kenner toys and playsets in new/factory sealed condition. Sadly, I decided to part with that collection about 13-14 years ago. I wish I had held on to them until now, because those items have tripled in value or more since then!
Scoop: What about memorabilia from the films, such as scripts, props, costumes, etc.?
KL: No, I never got into actual prop collecting – that is an entirely different level price point. Way out of my budget!
Scoop: You work in the film industry, tell me a bit about what you do?
KL: I work in visual effects, computer graphics, and editorial cutting rooms. My job title is Visual Effects Editor.
Scoop: Has working in film changed or affected your collecting pursuits?
KL: Not really, just that I have a big appreciation of the kind of visual effects work done on the original Star Wars trilogy with practical models and effects. I kind of miss those hands on things that sadly just don’t get produced much in today’s modern computer heavy film effects.
Scoop: It’s noted in your bio on eMoviePoster.com that you have attended many sci-fi and pop culture conventions as well as screenings with cast and crew members. Is there any one show or event that stands out to you?
KL: The one that stands out the most is probably my first ever San Diego Comic-Con which I first attended back in 1988. I still have the badge for that show – with Roger Rabbit art on its logo.
Scoop: With more films in the works, are you planning to collect the posters that will be released for those movies?
KL: I may decide to get a few, but nowhere to the extent of what I used to have before placing it in the current eMoviePoster auction that ends this Sunday! I was sad that Drew Struzan was not commissioned to do the new The Force Awakens theatrical poster art. I think Disney made a mistake with that one.
Scoop: Do you anticipate selling more of your collection in the near future?
KL: Not in such a large amount as this current eMoviePoster auction. This is the granddaddy sale of my Star Wars poster inventory. I may decide to let a remaining poster go for sale on a one by one basis over the rest of my lifetime, but for now, I am happy downsizing the collection and being able to share so many great Star Wars posters in this auction - which ends Sunday!
