DALLAS, TX.- Two spectacular and exceedingly rare movie posters - the only known surviving three sheet from Universal's 1936 Dracula's Daughter (estimate: $25,000+), the follow-up to 1931's classic Dracula, and the only known Style B half sheet from Warner Brothers 1936 The Petrified Forest (estimate: $30,000+) - anchor
Heritage Auctions' May 25-26 Signature(r) Vintage Movie Poster Auction.
"Having just one of these posters in an auction would normally be a significant achievement, let alone both," said Grey Smith, Director of Movie Poster Auctions at Heritage. "The combination of early Universal horror in Dracula's Daughter and early Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis should prove irresistible to collectors."
Advanced collectors have also taken note of the presence of a one sheet to United Artist's 1926 The Black Pirate (estimate: $20,000+), a classic silent swashbuckler movie featuring Douglas Fairbanks in one of his most famous roles and certainly in the most desirable film poster of his career, along with a stunning 1939 one sheet for 20th Century Fox's The Hound Of The Baskervilles (estimate: $20,000+), the film that was the first of the 14 Sherlock Holmes movies made with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
A door panel set of 4 posters to the United Artist's 1965 Beatles movie Help! (estimate: $18,000+) will present broad appeal to collectors of rare Fab Four memorabilia as well as discerning movie poster aficionados, as these amazing door panels are considered by most to be the rarest of the Beatle film posters.
"This is the only film of the band's three live-action features that had a door panel set produced," said Smith, "It's shown in the press book as selling to the exhibitor for $7.50 for the entire set. The expected price on this treasure proves that someone was very smart more than 45 years ago to save these and keep them in such fine condition."
Further highlights include, but are certainly not limited to:
The Haunted House (Metro, 1921), one sheet (27" X 41"): One of Buster Keaton's greatest and most iconic films. Estimate: $15,000+.
White Woman (Paramount, 1933), full bleed one sheet (26.5" X 39.75"), Style A: On this rare and dramatic one sheet, Carole Lombard's classic blonde beauty is rendered to perfection along with co-stars Charles Laughton and Kent Taylor. Only known copy. Estimate: $15,000+.
A Day At The Races (MGM, 1937), one sheet (27" X 41"), Style D: Perhaps one of the Marx Brothers' last great comedies, a fabulous poster with artwork by Al Hirschfeld, which Heritage has never offered before. Estimate: $10,000+.
Jezebel (Warner Brothers, 1938), one sheet (27" X 41"): Bette Davis stars in one of her greatest roles as beautiful, free-spirited Southern belle Julie Marsden. Estimate: $8,000+.
Babe Comes Home (First National, 1927), title lobby card (11" X 14"): Babe Ruth shines as minor league baseball star Babe Dugan in his second starring role. Estimate: $8,000+.
Swing Time (RKO, 1936), one sheet (27" X 41"): A highly desirable poster from one of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers greatest collaborations. Estimate: $8,000+.
Adventures of Captain Marvel (Republic, 1941), six sheet (81" X 81"): This is the only known copy of this six sheet for the first superhero film adaptation of a comic book, announcing the coming of the 12 chapter series. Estimate: $10,000+.
The March 25-26 auction features several great early Walt Disney cartoon movie posters, with the grouping anchored by a United Artist 1932 three sheet Mickey Mouse Stock Poster (estimate: $18,000+), used to announce the general arrival at a movie house of everyone's favorite then-new cartoon mouse, a poster featuring an early version of Mickey Mouse, just four years removed from his revolutionary first appearance in Steamboat Willie. As a complement to this rare Mickey poster, the auction will also feature a one sheet to Columbia's 1932 Mickey Mouse feature The Musical Farmer (estimate: $15,000+), along with Donald Duck feature posters, including a one sheet to RKO's 1939 The Hockey Champ (estimate: $14,000) and 1940's Mr. Duck Steps Out (estimate: $12,000+).
Universal horror highlights continue with a superbly preserved half sheet for Universal's 1942 the Ghost of Frankenstein (estimate: $15,000+) - a very rare opportunity to obtain a poster in such impeccable condition - along with a truly gorgeous copy of the title lobby card from Universal's 1935 Werewolf of London (estimate: $14,000).