June 2015

[Mirosae]

Another which is technically a Unicorn for me is off the list.

Most people are familiar with the famous "Yamakatsu" or "StarFall" poster that is so highly sought after and almost impossible to find. The vast majority though do not know that Yamakatsu is actually a trading card company and it is actually one of two posters used for the Yamakatsu Return of the Jedi trading card campaign in 1983. This second poster though not quite as hard to find as the StarFall version is still one that has taken me years to track down a copy in better than mediocre condition. It almost seems like every copy I come across has some form or major defects. Needless to say I am happy to have acquired this copy to finish off my OCD compulsion to finish sets.

You are killing off all your unicorns this year Mike!!

Goooood for ya!

[pratschm]

You are killing off all your unicorns this year Mike!!

Goooood for ya!

"Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn keeps you alive when if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenceless to save yourself and you will have but a half life, a cursed life from the moment the blood touches your lips."

As long as he doesn't drink any of that unicorn blood, he's good to keep going.

Awesome pickup, Mike.

[brude]

Another which is technically a Unicorn for me is off the list.

Most people are familiar with the famous "Yamakatsu" or "StarFall" poster that is so highly sought after and almost impossible to find. The vast majority though do not know that Yamakatsu is actually a trading card company and it is actually one of two posters used for the Yamakatsu Return of the Jedi trading card campaign in 1983. This second poster though not quite as hard to find as the StarFall version is still one that has taken me years to track down a copy in better than mediocre condition. It almost seems like every copy I come across has some form or major defects. Needless to say I am happy to have acquired this copy to finish off my OCD compulsion to finish sets.

This is a really nice find, Mike.
Congrats.
If I am to understand correctly, this and the Starfall poster were used to promote Yamakatsu's ROTJ trading card series in Japan?
So, they were not commercially sold?

[brude]

I like this design.
The trailer looks iffy, but the poster is cool.

[Undead]

This is a really nice find, Mike.
Congrats.
If I am to understand correctly, this and the Starfall poster were used to promote Yamakatsu's ROTJ trading card series in Japan?
So, they were not commercially sold?

I have researched this one more than once and have heard two different versions. The first version which seems to be the one more commonly spread around today is that the poster was sold in theaters during the first release of Jedi in Japan. The second version which I had heard long before the theater sold version came from store owners that I contacted looking for copies who said that the posters were not sold in theaters but was instead sent to store owners that sold the Yamakatsu card series again when the movie came out the same way Topps and other card companies send them out today. I have also never heard of a Yamakatsu poster that was ever created specifically for mass public sale despite being around for at least 40 years when Jedi came out. This is a company that created a huge number of card sets around movies and even more for sports. I am not a historian of the company though and may be wrong. If I am I am sure one of the many knowledgeable people here will set me straight on that one.

Being that so few of these posters, both versions, have shown up over the years, the fact that other than the title the only information on the posters is the Lucasfilm copyright and a bold Yamakatsu and the fact that I had been hearing the card store sales stories for several years before ever hearing of the theater version I tend to believe the latter but I was not in Japan in 1983 so cannot say for sure. When we look at most posters that was mass produced even in smaller print runs they are relatively easily found today in comparison. These though are very hard to find which makes me think the print run was very small likely intended for distribution to the stores and not sold to the public. This though is not enough to say conclusively though that they were not sold in theaters.

[brude]

Very nice piece.
I am envious.
What are the dimensions?

[Undead]

Thanks, B2.

[Crazy Vick]

I like this design.
The trailer looks iffy, but the poster is cool.

pretty trippy cover of Smells like Teen Spirit... must say

[mwright]

CRIPPLED MASTERS is a fun exploitation film and this poster is an exciting find.  It's kinda how I felt when I found one for SHANGHAI JOE.  The kung fu genre Thai posters are some of the best.

THE CRIPPLED MASTERS Thai Movie Poster

[erik1925]

Great color on that one, Mike.

 

[mwright]

I just got several martial arts posters in I'd like to continue sharing, I think they're great designs.  If you all get sick of seeing them just let me know.

UNKNOWN CHINESE MOVIE Thai Poster

[erik1925]

Argentine OS for the Argentinean romantic comedy, Mi Mujer Esta Loca (1952), with the quirky, caricature artwork done by Abel Ianiro. That style of art is what drew me to this piece.

The top border must have been folded under and not exposed to as much light, as it is SO much lighter than the other 3 sides, which have all tanned a bit with age.

Thanks for the great information, too, Matias!  



   

[eatbrie]

If you all get sick of seeing them just let me know.

I never get sick of seeing them, but I need to have seen a movie to enjoy a poster.  Personal preference.

T

[brude]

I just got several martial arts posters in I'd like to continue sharing, I think they're great designs.  If you all get sick of seeing them just let me know.

UNKNOWN CHINESE MOVIE Thai Poster

I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing posters like this.
Very nice.
 

[brude]

Scanners (1981); Japanese B2

I never had you pegged for a Cronenberg fan.
Great poster!
 

[erik1925]

Thanks, Ted.

Fun movie and, I think, very cool, vibrant art on this. 

[mwright]

Definitely one of the coolest SCANNERS posters I've seen
 

[wormie]

My new acquisition this month. Missing the skinny secretary or so to complete the set though

[brude]

Great set, Wormie!
If I see the missing Mirage poster, I'll drop you a line.

[eatbrie]

Ahhhh...  I didn't know there were so many...  I have 3 of yours + the secretary, but I'm also missing 3 of yours.  Must find them now.

They're all B1s, right?

T

[rdavey26]

Nice Undead and Mike. Love the Thai posters. The artwork on them always stands out and is eye catching

[skyjackers]

Incredible Incredibles. You've done well to get that many, I can't imagine it was easy.

[Undead]

Dang it, now I can't use that incredible joke. Nice pickups. Hope you find the missing one soon.

[Mirosae]

Cute posters!

[CSM]

Cute posters!

Nobody wants to see the word "cute" used to describe their posters!