LONDON.- An incredibly rare collection of original hand-drawn artwork by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen, from films including Jason and the Argonauts, Clash of the Titans, One Million Years B.C. and the classic Sinbad films, is to be made available at public auction in the United Kingdom.

As well as being an innovator in the world of visual effects and stop motion, Ray Harryhausen himself was an accomplished writer, producer, director and artist. Harryhausen’s impact on the world of cinema is almost unparalleled, his influence shaping the world of science fiction and fantasy cinema as we knowit today. 27 original pieces of artwork by the cinematic legend will be hotly contested in Prop Store’s 27 September Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, held at London’s BFI IMAX proudly presented by ODEON.

Often responsible for drawing the original concepts for creatures and promotional materials for his films long before production began, Harryhausen rigidly employed a three-step process to generate his stunning artwork. Examples of artwork from all three stages of his artistic process, as well as production copies and posters from his films, will be available in the Prop Store Live Auction, with artwork and signed movie posters from:

• Jason and the Argonauts, including sketches featuring the Skeleton Army

• One Million Years B.C. with images of the its famous dinosaurs

• The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, including sketches of the menacing creature Kali

• Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger

• The Valley of Gwangi

• Also artwork from unproduced Harryhausen projects, such as King of the Geniis, Food of the Gods and Skin and Bones

Ray Harryhausen’s ability as an artist is beyond question, and if that had been all he had ever contributed to cinema he would have been considered a true great. The above lots – 43 in total, with 27 of them hand-drawn by Harryhausen – represent an extremely rare opportunity for collectors, galleries and institutions to obtain a piece of this remarkable artwork.

Lots from the collection start at £200-300 for a signed poster from The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, rising up to £4,000-5,000 for artwork of the Skeleton Army from Jason and the Argonauts. Additional pieces from Harryhausen’s films, including helmets from Clash of the Titans and original poster artwork from One Million Years B.C. by artist Tom Chantrell make up over 500 lots from the world of film and television, all going under the hammer on 27 September 2016 from 12PM.

The auction will be live-streamed online for fans to track the bidding on auction day. A free preview exhibition will be open to the public in the run up to the auction, opening on Wednesday 14 September at the BFI IMAX and showcasing over 300 lots from the upcoming auction. Batman fans and petrol heads alike will have an opportunity to see the iconic vehicle in the exhibition.

Registration and bidding is now open. Bids can be placed online here

The free exhibition open to the public at the BFI IMAX, Waterloo, London, England SE1 8XR from 10:00am to 9:30pm, 14 - 27 September 2016.