Film
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
1977
FACTORS ETC. INC. BEAR. DEL. USA IMAGE FACTORY INC. HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. / Copyright 1977 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Officially Licensed Commercial Poster – Single Sided – 20″ x 28″ (51 x 71 cm)
USA
Near mint minus; originally rolled (as issued)
George Lucas
Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Frank Oz, Harrison Ford, Keith Prowse, Kenny Baker, Mark Hamill, Peter Mayhew
“General Kenobi. Years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father’s request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack, and I’m afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”
A global phenomenon when originally released in 1977 producing (at the time) a multitude of related merchandise including some exceptional commercial posters. Factors Inc of California, USA were responsible for some of the best and examples have gone on to become very collectable in their own right. Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) has become iconic and hugely popular; everyone loves a beautiful Princess, and really has become a major symbol for the franchise and a pivotal figure in the massive marketing and merchandising campaign that was to follow. Presented here on this original vintage 1977 fully studio authorised “Star Wars” poster. Presented in original unrestored high grade condition this an excellent rolled (as issued) example. This is one of the very first commercial posters for the movie and a very early release Star Wars merchandising poster. An incredibly scarce and desirable example of Star Wars memorabilia.
FACTORS ETC. INC. BEAR. DEL. USA IMAGE FACTORY INC. HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. / Copyright 1977 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.
Trivia: George Lucas was so sure this movie would flop that instead of attending the premiere, he went on vacation to Hawaii with his good friend Steven Spielberg. It was on that vacation that they came up with the idea for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Movie Poster
Here begins the greatest cinematic epic of all time, and arguably one of the greatest stories ever told. Originally conceived as a serialised popcorn movie in the manner of the old action movies that George Lucas grew up with, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” surpassed even Lucas’ keen and bombastic imagination to become a central part of movie history…There are countless tales of the making of “Star Wars”; how Lucas never believed he would get the chance to complete the series, how it spawned an industry and made the name of nearly everyone who touched it a household word. But what that does not reveal, nor do the much diminished prequels, is the sheer joy and excitement these movies generated…It was a once in a lifetime experience. You could feel it from opening day, earlier if you paid attention to such things. We had never seen anything like it, and we are not likely to again…This episode finds young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) yearning to leave the agrarian life he has with his aunt and uncle, and chase after adventure as his friends before him have already done. And what adventure there is. The galaxy is in the grip of a massive rebellion against a tyrannical and oppressive empire, but on Luke’s home planet, it’s something you only dare speak of in a whisper…Along come two robots – C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), “Droids” for short, who inadvertently involve Luke in a stellar attempt to contact an old wizard named Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness), who lives in the caves near Luke’s home…The rest is history, and there isn’t a person alive in the civilised world who doesn’t have at least some awareness of the epic story that unfolds. Luke’s rise from adolescent obscurity on Tatooine to a leading role in the greatest struggle of all time is told with humour, action, adventure, and always a sense of story that is unmatched on the screen.
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Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.
Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.
Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.
Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.
Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.
Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.
Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.
All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.
LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.
HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
