Metropolis Poster in the News Again

[erik1925]

Fascinating article on the production company called Red Granite Films, and the Fed's seizure of artwork and other items, including a Metropolis (3 sheet?) poster, purchased for $1.2 million that was hanging in the offices of Red Granite.


"The feds are also eyeing other assets, including a rare movie poster of Metropolis purchased by Aziz for $1.2 million in October 2012 that was described as hanging in Red Granite's office. According to a source connected with Red Granite, the poster has already been turned over to authorities."

The full article of possible embezzlement, stolen Malaysian funds, Leonardo Dicaprio and other intrigue, is here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/feds-look-seize-rights-dumb-dumber-1013783?facebook_20170615

[guest4955]

Great find Jeff.

According to this 2012 article, "The current record-holder, the “international” version of the Metropolis poster – the same Heinz Schulz-Neudamm design as number 3 minus the German writing. The clean lines and delicate shading make this a wonder to behold. It sold for $690,000 in 2005; the rumoured purchaser was Leonardo DiCaprio."

This new 2017 article says "The feds are also eyeing other assets, including a rare movie poster of Metropolis purchased by Aziz for $1.2 million in October 2012 that was described as hanging in Red Granite's office. According to a source connected with Red Granite, the poster has already been turned over to authorities."

So presumably these articles are referring to the same poster?

[erik1925]

Im assuming so, too.

The Metropolis 3 sheet that Ralph DeLuca acquired several years ago, was part of the items seized from Ken Schacter.

This thread by Rich also touches on this: http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,11074.0.html

And various other Metropolis-related threads:

http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,11074.0.html

http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,4804.0.html

[guest4955]

Can you post pics of the various Metropolis posters referenced in those threads? I'm a bit lost.

I can add the Library of Congress owns this partial Metropolis German 3S poster:

[erik1925]

More on the DeLuca buy in 2012:

http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2012/12/14/rare-metropolis-poster-hits-1-2-million-at-memorabilia-auction/

And the 3sheet with text, according to this site, sold for $357,750.00 back in 2000

https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2012/mar/14/10-most-expensive-film-posters-in-pictures




And the other, same art style, without the bottom credits & text:

[erik1925]

So the question is: Did Aziz pay $1.2 million for the single Metropolis poster alone? Or was the poster a part of a larger lot of items? Or was this the same (group of) poster(s) that DeLuca bought from the LA-held bankruptcy auction in 2012?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/metropolis-poster-leads-12-million-402242

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Great find Jeff.

According to this 2012 article, "The current record-holder, the “international” version of the Metropolis poster – the same Heinz Schulz-Neudamm design as number 3 minus the German writing. The clean lines and delicate shading make this a wonder to behold. It sold for $690,000 in 2005; the rumoured purchaser was Leonardo DiCaprio."

This new 2017 article says "The feds are also eyeing other assets, including a rare movie poster of Metropolis purchased by Aziz for $1.2 million in October 2012 that was described as hanging in Red Granite's office. According to a source connected with Red Granite, the poster has already been turned over to authorities."

So presumably these articles are referring to the same poster?

I don't believe that's correct. Sean would probably know for sure, but I'm pretty sure he offered to buy the post from Schacter, who turned him down. He was then able to locate the other privately held copy & bought that. The copy Aziz bought later. was the Schacter copy, sold at court ordered auction

[crowzilla]

I don't believe that's correct. Sean would probably know for sure, but I'm pretty sure he offered to buy the post from Schacter, who turned him down. He was then able to locate the other privately held copy & bought that. The copy Aziz bought later. was the Schacter copy, sold at court ordered auction

Correct - The $690,000 copy was the one purchased by Schacter and later sold as part of a group lot in the bankruptcy sale for $1.2 million.  The purchaser was Deluca who of course was bidding on behalf of Aziz (because when you are misappropriating billions, what's a million here or there for some posters).

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Correct - The $690,000 copy was the one purchased by Schacter and later sold as part of a group lot in the bankruptcy sale for $1.2 million.  The purchaser was Deluca who of course was bidding on behalf of Aziz (because when you are misappropriating billions, what's a million here or there for some posters).

but didn't DiCaprio locate & buy a different copy, after Ken turned him down?

[erik1925]

If the Feds decide that 3sh is going to be recouped and not returned due to all this money mess with Red Granite Films, then would it be safe to assume that this copy will once again be offered at auction and be available? 

Inquiring minds will be keeping a lookout, I'm sure.

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Can you post pics of the various Metropolis posters referenced in those threads? I'm a bit lost.

I can add the Library of Congress owns this partial Metropolis German 3S poster:

and this folks is an example of what a museum does with an item that needs help. It is backed, but nothing is replaced

[MoviePosterBid.com]

If the Feds decide that 3sh is going to be recouped and not returned due to all this money mess with Red Granite Films, then would it be safe to assume that this copy will once again be offered at auction and be available? 

Inquiring minds will be keeping a lookout, I'm sure.

in all likelihood, either Heritage or Profiles will auction the piece, unless it is required to be sold in another court-ordered auction.
there could also be the possibility that it could go to Malaysian to be used by Malaysian authorities in any criminal case & then be sold at a later date.