As time goes by, popular culture has earned its place at auctions. Sotheby’s London is going to hold an ‘Original Film Posters Online’ auction, selling posters of classic films. Some of them are relatively affordable and estimated at several hundred pounds only. While for highlighted items, the estimates are over ten thousand pounds. For example, a French poster for ‘King Kong’ in 1993 carries the highest estimate of £20,000 - 30,000  (USD$25,726 - 38,589) since fewer than twenty of these posters are known to have survived. 

The second-highest-estimated item goes to an Italian poster of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ that has never been released to the public. The first draft of the poster is estimated at £15,000 - 20,000 (USD$19,295 - 25,726), capturing Audrey Hepburn smoking elegantly.

Another highlight of this online auction is a British poster of ‘Dr. No’, the first James Bond Film released in 1962 starring Sean Connery. Depicting four beautiful ladies standing in front of a yellow backdrop, this eye-catching poster is estimated at £10,000 - 15,000 (USD$12,863 - 19,295).

Among all these posters, one is a black and white poster that explicitly evokes sensuality with a naked woman whose private part is represented by an open door. Estimated at £6,000 - 9,000 (USD$7,718 - 11,577), this poster was designed for 'Chelsea Girls', an experimental underground film co-directed by Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey. The film was the talk of the town when it was released in 1966. 

Being a big fan of DC comics, I have to say my favourite is a British poster of Batman in 1966 with an estimate of £5,000 - 7,000 (USD$6,432 - 9,004). Batman (1966) is the first full-length feature film adaptation of the DC Comics character Batman. It was released after the successful television series and included most members of the television cast. The colourful poster features not only Batman and his partner Robin but also other villains like Catwoman, Joker and Riddler.

 

Highlights 

‘King Kong’ (1993) poster, French

Size: 160 x 119cm
Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (USD$25,726 - 38,589)

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961) poster, Italian

Size: 51 x 36cm
Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (USD$19,295 - 25,726)

Dr.No’ (1962) poster, British

Size: 76 x 102cm
Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000 (USD$12,863 - 19,295)

‘Chelsea Girls’ (1996) poster, British

Size: 76 x 51cm
Estimate: £6,000 - 9,000 (USD$7,718 - 11,577)

‘Batman’ (1996) poster, British

Size: 76 x 102cm
Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (USD$6,432 - 9,004)

 

Auction details

Auction house: Sotheby’s London
Sale: Original Film Posters Online
Sale no.: L17410
No. of lots: 166
Exhibition in London:
2017/8/2 - 9/1｜9am - 4:30pm (excluding weekends)
2017/9/4 - 10｜9am - 4:30pm
Auction time: 2017/8/29 - 9/11