From Star Wars to King Kong, 8 Rare Science Fiction Movie Posters

From Star Wars to King Kong, 8 Rare Science Fiction Movie Posters

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  2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) special holographic display, US. Estimate £1,600–2,800.

  Stanley Kubrick's landmark science fiction film celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It is still considered one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time. This poster features one of the earliest uses of holographic 3-D displays used in cinema advertising. These were produced in relatively small numbers owing to their cost, and not many are known to have survived.

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  King Kong (1933) poster, Swedish. Estimate £40,000–60,000.

  A perfect blend of adventure, science fiction and horror, King Kong is the ultimate monster movie. Willis O'Brien's use of stop-motion effects was ground breaking for the time, and remains legendary. The film blew audiences away and broke all previous box-office records. This beautiful Swedish poster has the iconic image of King Kong clutching Fay Wray in one hand, and a crushed aeroplane in the other, whilst balancing on top of the Empire State building in New York. This poster was formally in the Kirk Hammett collection. Hammett is the lead guitarist for the band Metallica, and an avid collector of horror posters, so much so that he has super-imposed images of his posters on his guitars in performances.

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  Godzilla (1956) poster, German. Estimate £1,400–2,600.

  When it comes to film, one of Japan's most famous exports is undoubtedly the sci-fi blockbuster featuring ravenous monsters. The original Godzilla film was released in Japan in 1954. Two years later this film was released in the US and worldwide, titled Gorilla King of the Monsters. It was exactly the same as the original film, but to make it more attractive to an American audience, extra scenes were added, starring Raymond Burr. This 1956 re-worked release of the film had a lukewarm reception in Japan, owing to the popularity of the 1954 version.
  
  The artwork on this colourful German poster is unique to the film's release in Germany.

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  Thunderbirds are Go (1967) poster, British.
  Estimate £3,000–5,000.

  This 1966 sci-fi film was based on the original Thunderbirds television series so popular in the 1960s. Like the television series, the film featured marionette puppets and extravagant model work. The film was written by the original creators, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and directed by David Lane.
  
  This rare British poster was designed to be pasted on buses and the underground, as well as smaller billboards. The artwork is unique to this British size poster.

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  E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982) poster. Estimate £700–1,000.

  Steven Spielberg's E.T. has won the hearts of millions since its release in 1982. At the time it was the highest grossing film, surpassing the previous record holder, Star Wars (1977).

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  Star Wars (1977) poster, US, signed by Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and a secretarial signature by Carrie Fisher's mother Debbie Reynolds.
  Estimate £4,000–6,000.

  This was where it all began back in 1977, when George Lucas brought us the beginning of the Star Wars empire. It is exceptionally rare to find signed posters as it was unusual for members of the public to have access to a poster; usually when they met the stars they would just have a piece of paper or autograph book. This poster was signed in 1977 in America when the film was released. The artwork used is unique to this particular size poster.

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  Star Wars (1977) poster, British. Estimate £4,000–6,000.

  The Hildebrandt Brothers were commissioned to design this poster for the British release of the film. Star Wars was released in America in May 1977, and did not get released in the UK until December of the same year. By the time the film was released in the UK the studio felt that the characters were already well known, and the Hilderbrandt Brothers' artwork did not reflect this. Therefore they commissioned a completely new poster by Tom William Chantrell. This rare original design was used mainly in London on the underground a few months before the film's release, and was then replaced by Chantrell's poster.

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  The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) poster, British, signed by Nicolas Roeg. Estimate £1,200–1,800.

  This British science fiction film was directed by Nicolas Roeg and stars David Bowie, who plays an alien who lands on Earth looking for ways to ship water back to his drought-stricken planet. The film has a cult following as a result of its surreal imagery and the performance by David Bowie.
  
  Vic Fair created one of the most memorable artworks for Nicolas Roeg's 1970s cult sci-fi film. This poster is signed by Nicolas Roeg.

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