Bidders Go To War Over Rare Duck Soup Half Sheet!

Only Copy Known to Exist to be Auctioned by Heritage

DALLAS, TEXAS: Every great artist has their masterpiece; that one work that stands out from all the rest as a testament to exceptional artistic skill and unmatched technical virtuosity. For Leonardo da Vinci, it was the Mona Lisa, for Michelangelo, it was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, for Ludwig van Beethoven, it was his immortal Symphony #5 in c minor. For the Marx Brothers, it was Duck Soup (1933).

Set in the fabled kingdom of Freedonia, where Groucho rules as dictator Rufus T. Firefly, the entire film is a showcase for the inspired talents of one of the greatest comedy teams of all time. Groucho, aided and abetted by his brothers, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo, contends for the love of Margaret Dumont - often known as "The Fifth Marx Brother" for her invaluable contributions to the Brother's greatest films - as he wages war against the neighboring country of Sylvania.

"Although Duck Soup is now considered the greatest of all the Marx Brothers movies," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Poster Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "it was received less than enthusiastically upon its premiere. It did not go unnoticed, however, as Mussolini reportedly saw it and, thinking it was attack on him, banned it from being shown in Italy. Needless to say, the Brothers were ecstatic when they heard this news!"

"This movie also marked the end of an era," Smith said, "as this was the last film the Brothers would make for Paramount - later in the year they'd leave the studio over creative and financial differences to land at rival MGM - and the last time Zeppo would appear on screen. Nonetheless, this film stands at the head of the list, whenever great comedy movies are discussed."

"At one point," Smith said, "Groucho was asked for an explanation of the film's title, to which he replied, 'Take two turkeys, one goose, four cabbages, but no duck, and mix them together. After one taste, you'll duck soup the rest of your life.' What can I, or anyone, add to that?"

"All early Marx Brothers paper is rare," Smith said, "particularly paper from the Paramount films, but this poster, the Style B Half Sheet from Duck Soup, is in a class by itself. The only copy of this exquisite rarity known to exist, it features wonderful cartoon portraits of all four Brothers. Rarer than an on-screen appearance by Gummo, more elusive than a speaking role for Harpo, this is, without a doubt, the ne plus ultra of Marx Brother's collectibles, and should be given serious consideration by every collector of classic comedy paper. Remember, in November, the secret word is 'bid!'"

The Duck Soup Style B Half Sheet will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction, to be held November 14 & 15, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, or to bid online, please visit www.HA.com/MoviePosters.

Duck Soup (Paramount, 1933). Half Sheet (22" X 28") Style B:
ESTIMATE: $20,000 - $30,000

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.HA.com.

To access the Heritage Press Release Archives, please visit www.HA.com/MoviePosters.

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@HA.com.

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