Heritage Movie Poster Auction Posts Star-Studded Results!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Auction Galleries held its latest Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction on Friday and Saturday, March 18 & 19, 2006, in Dallas, Texas. 1,003 lots were offered, with total prices realized of $1,418,402, although after-auction sales are still ongoing and could push the final results even higher.

"This was another very strong auction," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Poster Auctions for Heritage, "with strong participation and impressive results."

"Prices realized were strong across all categories," said Smith, "with animation the biggest favorite this time around. We had a number of very aggressive bidders for all of the animation material, and the prices realized for this fine paper reflect that."

"Of course," Smith said, "the star of the show was the ultra-rare one sheet for the Mickey Mouse short, The Mad Doctor, which realized a staggering $138,000, against our pre-auction estimate of $60,000 - $80,000. One of the last posters that Universal produced for an individual cartoon, this is one of only two copies known to exist of this fabulous sheet, with the second copy in far lesser condition. We were confident that this piece would realize a strong price, but even we were pleasantly surprised by the final result. To the best of my knowledge, this price sets a new World Record for a Disney one sheet offered at public auction."

"Mickey also dominated the Number Two spot in this auction," Smith said, "with the one sheet for Mickey's Nightmare bringing $54,625. Not only the first of the Universal Mickey one sheets, but also one of the best, as Mickey is shown not once, but nine times in all. This poster is highly sought after by collectors, which is reflected in its strong price realized."

"Another winner from the House of the Mouse was the Hawaiian Holiday poster showing Donald and Mickey 'hanging ten,'" Smith added, "which brought $21,850. Additionally, a Mickey Mouse stock poster from 1935 brought $10,925. Certainly, this auction was Mickey's time to shine!"

Smith continued, "Once again, Bogart paper was heavily contested in this auction. Particularly strong was material from the legendary film, Casablanca, including a beautiful Style A half sheet, which brought $23,000, an Australian one sheet, which fetched $10,925, and an Italian 4 Folio, which realized $10,350. Additionally, both an insert and an Australian daybill from The Maltese Falcon brought $8,625 a piece."

"Another category that showed exceptional strength was Silent paper," said Smith. "We've seen growth in this area over the last several auctions, with no signs of slowing down this time around. To illustrate, just look at The Black Pirate one sheet, featuring Douglas Fairbanks that brought $27,600, or the Buster Keaton poster, The Cameraman, which realized $18,400. Bidders certainly didn't stay silent on these lots!"

"All in all," Smith said, "this was a very exciting, and very successful, event, and I'm eagerly looking forward to our next auction of vintage movie posters, which will be held in Dallas, Texas on July 14, 2006."

• The Mad Doctor (United Artists, 1933). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $138,000.
• Mickey's Nightmare (United Artists, 1932). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $54,625.
• Hawaiian Holiday (RKO, 1937). Poster (30" X 40"). REALIZED: $21,850.
• Mickey Mouse Stock Poster (United Artists, 1935). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $10,925.
• Casablanca (Warner Brothers, 1942). Half Sheet (22" X 28"). Style A. REALIZED: $23,000.
• Casablanca (Warner Brothers, 1942). Australian One Sheet (27" X 40"). REALIZED: $10,925.
• Casablanca (Warner Brothers, R-1953). Italian 4 Folio (55"x 77"). REALIZED: $10,350.
• The Maltese Falcon (Warner Brothers, 1941). Insert (14" X 36"). REALIZED: $8,625.
• Maltese Falcon, The (Warner Brothers, 1941). Australian Daybill (13" X 30"). REALIZED: $8,625.
• The Black Pirate (United Artists, 1926). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $27,600.
• The Cameraman (MGM, 1928). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $18,400.

Other auction highlights included:

• Breakfast At Tiffany's (Paramount, 1961). Advance One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $16,100.
• Hopalong Cassidy Returns (Paramount, 1936). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $13,225.
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (20th Century Fox, 1951). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $11,500.
• Creature From the Black Lagoon (Universal International, 1954). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $10,925.
• Grand Hotel (MGM, 1932). Title Lobby Card (11" X 14"). REALIZED: $9,200.
• Rain (United Artists, 1932). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $9,200.
• Sea Scouts (RKO, 1939). One Sheet (27" X 41"). REALIZED: $9,200.
• Gone With the Wind (MGM, 1939). Original Costume Sketch (18" X 23"). REALIZED: $8,050.
• Dumbo (RKO, 1941). One Sheet (27" X 41") Style A. REALIZED: $8,050.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage movie posters and related material should contact Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367, or 214-252-4367, or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.