STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE

One Sheet (27" x 41"); NSS Style D
Mint Folded; Artwork by Charles White III & Drew Struzan
20th Century Fox, 1978

This poster was printed in 1978 while Star Wars was still in continuous first release. The film stayed in theaters for a very long time, and Lucasfilm decided to revitalize its marketing with a new poster. In the book Star Wars Art: Posters, Drew Struzan discusses that "Charles White III was commissioned to create this new poster. Charlie had seen my work and decided to call me in as a collaborator. I painted the portraits while he painted the hardware. Lucasfilm liked the artwork, but there was not enough space left open for the "billing block." Necessity being the mother of invention, we decided to enlarge the dimensions of the art to increase the open space and give the work an early-twentieth-century, wild-posted [wilding] circus-style look. So it came about that it took the two of us to paint what would come to be known as the "Circus" poster for its throwback style."

With no evident wear or blemishes, this poster is in mint condition.

George Lucas' ground-breaking space opera, which defied all expectations to change the film industry forever. Inspired by Flash Gordon serials, Westerns, samurai films and World War II movies, Lucas crafted a new, hugely popular mythology in "A galaxy far, far away," while setting a new standard for visual effects.

This lot will be auctioned on Thursday, April 18th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on April 19th.