A poster advertising the 1935 Universal horror classic The Bride of Frankenstein will be auctioned this month with a top estimate of $250,000.
The poster, described as “undoubtedly one of the greatest horror promotional images ever released” by Heritage Auctions, who are handling the sale, is currently leading bidding in a major movie poster sale.
“Lot for lot, this is one of the most significant offerings of movie posters in the history of the hobby,” said Heritage Auctions’ Zach Pogemiller.
Among them is an example of a poster for 1932’s Freaks. The first one-sheet poster for the controversial cult movie to ever sell at auction.
One of the most controversial movies of all time. You can own the poster for $75,000 and up.
It carries an estimate of up to $150,000 and has already attracted a bid of $37,500.
The sale catalogue includes some of the most famous posters – and movies – of all time.
Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921) with an estimate of up to $200,000.
Metropolis (1927) up to $120,000.
A withdrawn poster for Soviet classic Ten Days that Shook the World that was recut for political reasons (1928) carries an estimate of up to $120,000.
Taking in noir classics, great westerns, and oddities like Freaks, which was banned in the UK for decades after its release, the sale is a survey of Hollywood history.
The Freaks poster was discovered via a forgotten movie theatre that burned down in the year of the film’s release.
The Bride of Frankenstein poster was found in New Zealand.
Movie posters are a highly collectible specialism.
Their value is determined by their type, quality, rarity and the film which they promoted.
The most valuable film poster was a $690,000 Metropolis poster.
The Universal horror movies are highly desirable. In 1997 a poster from The Mummy brought in $452,000.
A Bridge of Frankenstein poster sold for $334,600 in 2007. Will the current lot match it? It’s certainly a possibility.
