Ok, so everyone probably knows about this one, one of the rarest posters (Star Wars or otherwise) out there. This is definitely top ten if not top five territory. This is the International "TEST" onesheet for The Empire Strikes Back, and features the discarded artwork that features Boba Fett, Lando, Cloud City and a small Ion Cannon.
Anyone who really knows me knows I am a Japanese collector through and through; anyone who knows about this particular poster also knows that a majority of the alleged six copies known to exist have come from Japan. I got mine from Tokyo this October.
As far as the particulars for this poster, it does have it's issues, although they are somewhat minor. No pinholes, tears, folds, or paper loss; BUT there is some slight foxing around the top and bottom borders, and has some wrinkling going on. I've spoken with Dario Casadei a few times about this one, and I have been torn between just going ahead and getting it linenbacked, or just selling it and letting the next owner make that decision. That the two or three copies Bruce has sold have been linenbacked and looked great means that this one would probably also look fantastic after it was mounted. If I don't sell this straight out, I will probably have that done. Dario said if it was his, he would do it as well, so that's what I will do if I wind up hanging on to it for the near future.
The last three Bruce have auctioned were in 12/15, 12/16, and 3/17; and they went for $5,450, $7,750, and $8,120 respectively. He also has one coming up I believe on the tenth. I had thought about waiting to see what his would go for, then list mine. Head to head he's obviously got the one in better condition. But if these two are indeed two of the only six in the world, I really don't see mine affecting the hammer price of his at all. It's one of the rarest Star Wars onesheets out there, and on top of that the film itself is a science fiction classic, part of a trilogy that shaped the genre for decades. Altered the course of marketing films forever. And it was awesome!
It's not that this won't sell, even with Bruce's auction happening this month. It's that this will be the cheaper poster of the two (meaning it will be less than the likely $8-9k Bruce will take in on his). With a little resto and a linenbacking, this copy will be cherished by its owner for a very, very long time, and would certainly be a centerpiece of their collection. Given that this is one of a supposed six, how can you not at least think about wanting to buy it?
If you have any questions, let me know and I'll reply ASAP. I'll try to get some better pics up over the next few days.
I'm asking $7500 shipped and tracked, and since Paypal would charge me close to $450 for that single transaction, F that. I would prefer to do this by Cashier's Check or direct wire transfer. If you're Wells Fargo I can give you my account number for a fee-less transaction. It will go out the same day I receive payment.
**I sincerely wish you the absolutely best holiday season, and a fun, enjoyable Christmas (and it doesn't hurt that Star Wars is just a couple of weeks away)! God bless.**