SURREY.- Some of the greatest names in film history feature in a stunning collection of Vintage Movie Posters for sale at Ewbank’s Auctions in Surrey on August 2.

Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, James Stewart and other Hollywood Greats appear alongside British stars such as Michael Caine, Sean Connery and Roger Moore in classics such as Star Wars, the James Bond series, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Vertigo and many more.

Stunning artwork created for sci-fi films like Warlords of Atlantis and At The Earth’s Core will rub shoulders with posters from sixties classics like Easy Rider and How To Steal A Million, starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole, while horror fans can feast on Christopher Lee in Dracula has risen from the grave, The Exorcist and The Shining.

Former maths teacher Derek East (1939-2011) built the collection was built up over several decades, dedicating himself to his passion after he retired from education, and eventually becoming a specialist dealer.

A keen film fan from an early age, Derek grew up in a small town where it was then possible to see six different films a week. The passion for films continued into adult life and was shared for a while with his girlfriend Pat, who sadly died unexpectedly, just as the hobby had started to become a working business.

In memory of Pat, Derek immersed himself in the study of film and collecting, recruiting his brother Alex to mind his various stalls. More enthusiastic about buying than selling, Derek loved to chat and offered a complete range of film-related posters, portraits, stills, magazines, books and records.

From the early 1990s his main outlet was a Saturday stall at the Electric Ballroom in Camden. From there he moved to the grander Westminster Central Hall and drew in clients from mainland Europe.

“This is a truly eclectic collection that has mass appeal because of the extensive crossover interest,” said specialist Alastair McCrea.

“Whether you are film fan, sci-fi nut, into the glamour of the golden days of Hollywood or simply looking for something with stunning design appeal for interior decoration purposes, this collection has it all.”

What’s more, prices start from as low as £40-60 for lots containing a series of posters, so there are bargains to be had among the rarities, whose prices rise into the thousands of pounds.

Highlights include a 30 x 40 inch British Quad poster for Thunderball, the 1965 James Bond film starring Sean Connery, pitched at £1500-2500, the same estimate for the classic film noir British gangster film Get Carter, from 1971, starring Michael Caine.

Ewbank’s, who have already put the catalogue online, have already had a great deal of interest and expect prices to go well above estimate for some lots.

“This sale is further evidence that these days there is no real down time in the summer months when it comes to auctions,” said McCrea. “Ewbank’s have been building quite a reputation in recent years when it comes to Entertainment memorabilia, and our Propmasters sale of memorabilia and costumes from film sets on November 15 is further evidence of this.