Only-Known One Sheet for “Tarzan the Ape Man” at Heritage Auctions
DALLAS—The only known Style D one sheet for MGM’s 1932 classic Tarzan the Ape Man, notable for accurately depicting star Johnny Weissmuller as he actually appears in the film, is estimated to sell for $40,000 to $80,000 in Heritage Auctions next Vintage Movie Poster Auction, but with no recent sales that range is just a guess. Offering more than 1,000 vintage posters and movie-related memorabilia, the auction holds an extensive collection of animation-themed posters, rare pre-war paper and an extraordinary selection of seldom-seen three-sheets.
“This auction holds numerous finds suitable for the advanced collector,” said Grey Smith, director of Vintage Posters at Heritage. “I was floored when I saw the only known Style D one sheet poster for 1932’s Tarzan the Ape Man, as well as an impressive one sheet of Mickey’s Mellerdrammer from 1933.”
The auction’s selection of rarities includes an Italian 2-foglio, post-war release for Casablanca, considered one of the best posters released for the film thanks to the stunning artwork by master poster artist Luigi Martinati (est. $25,000+). Another outstanding example of movie poster art being offered is a scarce Style C one sheet for Red Headed Woman (MGM, 1932), featuring an astoundingly vivid stone litho portrait of the legendary Jean Harlow (est. $30,000+).
A haunting window card for Universal’s 1931 classic Frankenstein (a miniature version of the Style C three sheet that Heritage presented for the first time in the March 2015 Signature Auction) is one of just a handful known to exist (est. $30,000+). A one sheet for Things to Come (United Artists, 1936) - an early science fiction epic and considered a crown jewel in the movie poster collecting hobby - represents a rare opportunity for the discriminating collector (est. $25,000+). Another rare find is the 1932 one sheet for First National’s horror classic Doctor X, which stars Fay Wray in this early two-strip Technicolor film (est. $18,000+).
The auction also presents The James Bond Collection of Gary Firuta, an extensive grouping relating to moviedom’s most famous franchise. It includes such diverse items as vintage toys, model cars, and other rare items. Rarely seen posters include a Style B British quad for Goldfinger, an advance quad for Thunderball, quads for Dr. No and From Russia with Love, You Only Live Twice subway posters, and much more. The Gary Firuta collection will also be offered in Heritage Auctions’ Weekly Internet Movie Poster Auctions through 2016.
Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:
King Kong (RKO, 1933). Swedish Oversized Poster (25" X 47"), est. $15,000+.
Scarface (United Artist, 1932) Half Sheet (22” X 28”), $15,000+.
Mickey Mouse - Alpine Climbers (United Artists, 1936). Poster (40" X 60"), est. $15,000+.
Notorious (RKO, 1946). Italian 2-Foglio (39" X 54.25") est. $10,000+.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Great Guns! (Universal, 1927). One Sheet (27" X 41") est. $8,000+.
Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of approximately $900 million, and 900,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.
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