A pair of rare Russian constructivist posters and a unique Werewolf in London one-sheet are attracting collectors for Heritage’s Movie Posters Internet Auction on November 23-24, 2019, in Dallas, Texas.
The Werewolf of London one-sheet is the only known one-sheet from the horror classic in this style. Only two styles were created for the movie and larger paper items from the film are exceptionally rare, adding to the demand for this 27” x 41” poster.
The Russian Constructivist posters are Battleship Potemkin 1929 rerelease and October 1917 (Ten Days that Shook the World). Constructivism is an artistic and architectural philosophy that was started in Russia in 1913 by painter and architect Vladimir Tatlin, who wanted to “construct” art.
“These posters are incredibly rare – there’s fewer than a handful of each known to exist,” Heritage Vintage Posters Director Grey Smith said. “They both are from before World War II, which decimated so much of that country, including paper goods. That any survived this long, especially this condition, is pretty hard to believe.”
The Battleship Potemkin poster, which depicts artwork by Vladimir and Georgii Stenberg, is being offered through Heritage for the first time. The Stenberg brothers are known for their colorful geometric posters which can be seen on this 1929 reissue of what many consider to be the greatest propaganda film ever made. The October 1917 (Ten Days that Shook the World) also is being offered at Heritage for the first time. The Russian Soviet government selected Eisenstein to direct one of two films celebrating and dramatizing the 10-year anniversary of the October Revolution.
Another unquestioned rarity is a Dracula jumbo lobby card, which is a scarce size card. This example is even more exceptional because it once belonged to Bela Lugosi, the actor known best for playing the film’s title role. It was printed in a very limited number and only a few have surfaced.
One of Universal’s other extremely popular monsters can be seen on the Frankenstein lobby card. Boris Karloff’s gaunt appearance dominates the image, which was adjusted before filming started and this card is from the test shot just before makeup artist Jack Pierce finalized the monster’s makeup.
The sale includes a selection of matte paintings for Dune: Giedi Prime, Star Trek: Voyager, Ocampa Underground City, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ventax II, and Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Teplan.
Other top lots include a Casablanca linen-backed one-sheet and first post-war release Italian photobustas, The Invisible Man lobby card, The Jazz Singer linen-backed one-sheet and a three-sheet, Dracula lobby card, and Gilda linen-backed style B one-sheet.