Star Wars posters!

[eatbrie]

You gotta collect the action figures to really appreciate that poster

I totally agree, and I was never into that.  Or if I was, I don't remember it.  I will probably get this poster at some point, mainly because I'm a completist, but certainly not for its looks.

T

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

You gotta collect the action figures to really appreciate that poster

I have zero interest in the action figures.  I just think it's a fun and unusual poster with an interesting backstory. I distinctly remember Star Wars playing a long long time in theaters.   My friends and I saw Star Wars 10+ times in the 1977-78 period. (I think my sister saw Grease a similar number of times back then too.)

And it's rarer than I thought.  Just found this tidbit from StarWarsPoster.com:

Print run was originally 400, but only ended up with 250-280 usable copies. Lastly, most of the copies were not distributed to the theatres. Most went to the employees at Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox. That is why most copies of the posters are still found in rolled condition. (Thanks for the awesome information – Source – Ron Kalter – Gore Graphics employee ’77 – ’82).

[eatbrie]

I really don't believe those print runs stories.  Revenge of the Jedi, dated or not, Star Wars style C, PG or not, Anniversary poster, blah blah blah.  Ron Kalter... who the fuck is that?  All of these posters show up and can be obtained at any time.  I have 5 Revenge posters, a friend of mine has 3, plenty of collectors have them... and yet, they still pop up at auctions.  All dealer's schemes to sell their shit for more money.

T

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

I really don't believe those print runs stories.  Revenge of the Jedi, dated or not, Star Wars style C, PG or not, Anniversary poster, blah blah blah.  All of these posters show up and can be obtained at any time.  I have 5 Revenge posters, a friend of mine has 3, plenty of collectors have them... and yet, they still pop up at auctions.  All dealer's schemes to sell their shit for more money.

T

ROTJ is a special case.  Lucasfilm directly sold 7,000 to fan club members, so it's not surprising so many survived.

The information about the 250 Birthday posters comes from Paul Wilson, who runs StarWarsMoviePoster.com and who is not a dealer.  He interviewed a Gore Graphics employee to obtain that information. That also seems consistent with the number of sales.  Emovie has sold 4 and Heritage has sold 10 Birthday Cake posters.  During the same period they've sold 100+ Revenge posters.

[eatbrie]

Hmm...  Not convinced, Mel.  But if u believe it, that is all that matters.  Finding the print run of a poster 30 years after the fact by interviewing some employee doesn't do it for me.  Some posters are rarer than others, for sure, but to put a number on them is ludicrous, IMO.  Feel free to disagree.

T

[Bruce]

Two things that complicate these stories are that many such employees made "deals" to do private over-runs for dealers, and they would likely never admit to that. Plus some employees printed extra copies that they took home, and of course they would likely never admit to that either.

[Ari]

I understand the theory it's dealers making up numbers to imply rarity, but I also think collectors are guilty of this AFTER they obtain a copy. On this poster I have no idea.
Although if true and a couple of hundred were given to employees, then while a low number, prob most kept as is, and even though demand will outweigh supply by a long shot, 200+ isn't rare, otherwise mondo prints etc could be called rare they day they are printed.
Not to rain on anyone's parade, just thinking out loud.
I think the poster itself is perfect for the franchise personally, what was the Lucas quote about a dime in every kids pocket?

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

Keep in mind this was a special poster printed just for the theaters still showing Star Wars in May 1978, so logically it would not have been a large printing.  

According to reports, it started out in 32 theaters and later expanded to 1,000.  

According to this website, it was still playing in fifty or so theaters in May 1978 (the number is not exact per the bolded portion below):

THE LONGEST-RUNNING ENGAGEMENTS OF STAR WARS

Listed below are the North American theaters where STAR WARS played for more than one year. (One movie in the same theater for a year! Seems incomprehensible by today’s standards, doesn’t it?) Many of these figures hold today as the all-time, long-run record.

76 weeks = Westgate Triplex, Beaverton, OR

64 weeks = Cinerama, Honolulu, HI
64 weeks = Janus 7, Greensboro, NC

63 weeks = Bayberry, Liverpool, NY
63 weeks = Fairview 1 & 2, North York, ON
63 weeks = Festival Cinemas, Fresno, CA
63 weeks = Festival Cinemas, Walnut Creek, CA
63 weeks = Westmount 1 & 2, London, ON

62 weeks = Academy 6, Greenbelt, MD
62 weeks = Cine 1-2-3-4-5-6, Colonie, NY
62 weeks = Circle 6, Norfolk, VA
62 weeks = Newmarket Mall 4, Newport News, VA

61 weeks = Astor Plaza, New York, NY
61 weeks = Capitol Cinemas, Tallahassee, FL
61 weeks = Century Plaza 1 & 2, Los Angeles, CA*

60 weeks = Century 22, San Jose, CA
60 weeks = Century 25, Sacramento, CA
60 weeks = Cine Capri, Phoenix, AZ
60 weeks = Cinema 150, Seattle, WA
60 weeks = Galleria Cinema I & II, Houston, TX
60 weeks = Showcase Cinemas, Louisville, KY
60 weeks = Roxy, Tacoma, WA

59 weeks = Bank Cinema I & II, Pittsburgh, PA
59 weeks = Mill Road Triplex, Milwaukee, WI
59 weeks = Showcase Cinemas, Springdale, OH
59 weeks = Showcase Cinemas, West Springfield, MA

58 weeks = Showcase Cinemas , Erlanger, KY

57 weeks = Chinese, Los Angeles, CA**
57 weeks = Park, Saint Louis Park, MN
57 weeks = Valley Circle, San Diego, CA

56 weeks = Glenwood I & II, Overland Park, KS

55 weeks = Eastwood, Indianapolis, IN
55 weeks = Fair City 3, Fairfax, VA
55 weeks = Roseville 4, Roseville, MN
55 weeks = Uptown, Washington, DC

54 weeks = Centre, Salt Lake City, UT
54 weeks = Newport Cinemas, Newport Beach, CA
54 weeks = Northpark Cinema I & II, Dallas, TX

53 weeks = Pinellas Square Cinema I-II-III, Pinellas Park, FL
53 weeks = Raintree Cinemas, Columbus, OH

52 weeks = Salem Mall Cinemas, Trotwood, OH
52 weeks = Spring Mall Triplex, Greenfield, WI

There were numerous markets in which STAR WARS played over one year by virtue of a moveover from one theater to another. These cases have not been cited in this article (except for one unique example explained below).

[Zorba]

I love cake!

[CSM]

So is Mel's post a perfect example of what Ari is suggesting about rarity factor increasing AFTER acquisition? 

Now certain daybills there are easily less than 5 copies extant - talk about a challenge!

[Zorba]

So is Mel's post a perfect example of what Ari is suggesting about rarity factor increasing AFTER acquisition? 

Maybe I am missing something but I dont get how only 250 posters would be printed for 1,000 theatres?

I am not the best reader.

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

So is Mel's post a perfect example of what Ari is suggesting about rarity factor increasing AFTER acquisition? 

Now certain daybills there are easily less than 5 copies extant - talk about a challenge!

Let's all agree that it's pretty sad that we're hanging around a poster forum on a Saturday night arguing about Star Wars posters!

[CSM]

Let's all agree that it's pretty sad that we're hanging around a poster forum on a Saturday night arguing about Star Wars posters!

Agreed but at least we are not discussing action figures directly

[Ari]

The list Mel posted below is the ones that would have gotten the posters as they played for the full year or more. So fifty odd theatres or something, can't be bothered counting.

By the way, don't think anyone's arguing, plus it's Sunday morning for me, Beats church.

[Zorba]

Agreed but at least we are not discussing action figures directly

Agree and agree!

You guys( poster collectors) are the coolest dorks on the planet!

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

Maybe I am missing something but I dont get how only 250 posters would be printed for 1,000 theatres?

I am not the best reader.

That was the peak in August 1977:

http://www.in70mm.com/news/2003/star_wars/index.htm

 I'm still trying to find out exactly how many made it to May 1978.

[CSM]

Agree and agree!

You guys( poster collectors) are the coolest dorks on the planet!

Don't you mean "us guys" you're in the dork club too

[Ari]

Need to brush up your Star Wars knowledge to get a root from a Star Wars fan. Oldest trick in the book.

[CSM]

Just put on a Leia slave costume

[Zorba]

Don't you mean "us guys" you're in the dork club too

Poster G(R)eek and proud!  

[Charlie]

Let's all agree that it's pretty sad that we're hanging around a poster forum on a Saturday night arguing about Star Wars posters!

It could be worse.  You could be taking a break from watching women's figure skating to play on a poster forum and not even be in the argument...

[CSM]

Poster G(R)eek and proud!  

 

[brude]

Agreed but at least we are not discussing action figures directly

Speaking of action figures...
I just learned that this collector lives a few miles away from me and has constructed his own museum of SW toys.
I am going to check it out next week.


http://brettstoymuseum.com/

[Ari]

Ask if he has Grand Moff Tarkin (serious)

[paul waines]

Ask if he has Grand Moff Tarkin (serious)

Yes, I second that, do ask him Ted, and get a pic if he has one...