What is Movie Art?
Movie Art is a catch-all term which has come to mean any of the variety of Advertising Materials that are released by Movie Studios as part of the promotional program for their movie titles. Movie Art comprises materials that are meant for distribution to theaters and film exhibitors, and are not intended for the public. Movie Art is printed in limited numbers and distribution is controlled.
Through the years, some of the employees of theaters have opted not to destroy these materials and instead kept them. They are gradually released to the market through a movie art collection circuit. As this art is destroyed through normal wear and tear, and less is available on the market, the value of Movie Art is increasing, and the prices have truly gone through the roof.
There are many different types of Movie Art. The most known and most sought after is the One-Sheet (27" x 41"). The One-Sheet is printed on paper and is easily recognizable as the post displayed in glass cases in the lobbies of all theaters. If was first introduced in 1909 by Edison's General Film Company and represents one of the oldest forms of Movie Art. It is still widely used in today's Movie Industry.
The Half-Sheet (22" x 28") and the Insert (14" x 36") were printed on card stock and both were used in special advertising displays. The artwork on the Half-Sheet and the insert can differ from the One-Sheet, and many collectors prefer these because of their smaller size.
The Window-Card (14" x 22") was printed on card stock and was used to promote a film on store windows and on posts. Most Window-Cards had a four to six inch top border which allowed the theater to write in the time and place of the movie's showing.
The standard Lobby-Card measures 11" x 14" and is printed on card stock. Lobby-Cards date back to the early 1910's a set of eight numbered Lobby-Cards are issued in a Lobby-Card Set. Each Lobby Set consists of a Title Card and seven different cards designed to illustrate the story line of a particular film A typical Lobby-Card Set may include a Title Card, two or three cards with close-up shots of the stars, two or three cards with scenes depicting minor stars or scenery, and sometimes one card called the "Dead-Card" by collectors which simply shows some minor star or some far-distant landmark.
The above represents the most common types of Movie Art sought by collectors. There are many other types including the Six-Sheet (41" x 81"), the Three Sheet (41' x 81"), the Herald (folded handout), the Program, and the Pressbook.
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Listed below are some all-time high amounts paid for Movie Art
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Birth of a Nation
1915
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27x41
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$45,000.00
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Citizen Kane
1941
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27x41
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$20,000.00
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The Mummy
1932
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27x41
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$350,000.00
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Dracula
1931
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27x41
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$70,000.00
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Frankenstein
1931
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27x41
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$180,000.00
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King Kong
1933
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27x41
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$86,000.00
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Mother Goose Goes Hollywood
1938
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27x41
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$25,000.00
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Phantom of the Opera
1925
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27x41
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$36,000.00
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Robin Hood
1938
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27x41
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$20,000.00
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Is Movie Art Signed by the Artist?
Unfortunately, during the early days of America's Motion Picture Industry, Movie Studios would not allow artwork to be signed by the Artists. In many cases, where an Artist was known for a particular style, the Movie Studios required that the Artist design the work in an unrecognizable style. Soon, however, American Movie Companies ;joined their European counterparts by commissioning famous commercial Artists and allowing them to sign and style their work.
Artists such as Rockwell, Vargas, Crandall, Bass, Klee, Petty, Hirschfeld, Amsel, Drew, Peak, Frazetta, and others have lent their talents to Movie Art. In today's Movie Art Market, many collections are based solely on a particular Artist. In many instances, it is the least expensive way to own an art piece from someone like Vargas or Rockwell.
Why does some Movie Art have creases?
Prior to the 1980's, most Movie Art was folded for easier shipment to the Film Distributors. Creases due to the above are common and acceptable in Movie Art Posters and do not affect the value of the Artwork. However, Window-Cards and Lobby-Cards were NOT folded, so creases are considered a defect and not part of the normal use of the material.
What do the Numbers at the bottom of Movie Art signify?
The National Screen Service was created in 1942 to produce and distribute all major Studio's advertising materials. In order to control the number of materials going through it, the NSS instituted a date and code system. For example, a One-Sheet may have 51/620 in the lower right-hand corner. This signifies that this was the 620th film to be released in 1951. If the letter "R" is seen at the left of these numbers, this means that this Movie Art is a re-issue and was produced when the film was re-released to theaters.
Are Foreign Posters for American-Made films collectible?
While the Foreign Movie Artwork differs in size and type from country to country, Many collectors find the graphics and artwork of the Foreign Poster to be much more beautiful than the American versions. In addition, Foreign Posters generally offer a less expensive avenue for acquiring Movie Art of classic Motion Pictures where the cost of the American versions are virtually prohibitive.
What is Linen Backing?
Linen Backing is used by Movie
Art Collectors as a means of restoring the art and giving it extra support. Linen Backing increases the value of the artwork.
Who collects Movie Art?
Movie Art appeals to anyone who has a passion for Films, Actors and Actresses, and Hollywood in general. Collectors of Movie Art include movie fans, film buffs, and members of the Film Industry. Both Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese are collectors of this Artform. Movie Art and memorabilia is prominently displayed in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain raising the public awareness of this exciting artwork. The Turner Classic Movies Television Channel has been instrumental in the public's discovery of the great movies from Hollywood's vintage years. Classic movie lines such as "Here's looking at you, Kid," "Frankly, my Dear, I don't give a damn," and "Go ahead, make my day" have become American institutions of speech. Everyone enjoys the movies and though Movie Art is more popular today than ever, it can still be very affordable for the new collector.
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