Regardless, I do not agree that there is 100% certainty that the -0 issue is the first printing. I have heard several sound arguments from folks around the hobby for over 30+ years that the funky text is without a doubt the first one...but in the end, who knows.
I'm glad that you brought this up, Ben.
Allow me to stir the pot a bit.
I saw STAR WARS opening week in NY, 1977. At that time, I was an avid one-sheet collector and I rarely missed any opening of any genre film. I remember looking carefully at the SW one-sheet that was on display at the theater and taking notice of the 'funky text.' It was unlike any I had seen on the hundreds of one sheets I had at the time in my collection. The very next day, I visited THE MOVIE GALLERY on Long Island to see if he had any for sale. He had three tri-folded, all with the 'funky text.' I asked shop owner Marty what the deal with the 'funky text' was? He had heard that Fox just 'wanted to be different because the movie was a throwback to the serials of yesteryear.' Seeing as it matched the theatrical I had seen the night before, I bought one ($7). A few weeks later, SW started showing at smaller neighborhood theaters and I acquired 4-5 used one-sheets. ALL had the 'funky text.' I traded these to Marty for other posters (including Frazetta's FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS and a SW 1/2 sheet).
A few months later, the '-0' version showed up at THE MOVIE GALLERY. Marty brought it to my attention because he wanted me to know another 'version' of the poster had been released. I also used to hit several theaters on Long Island for used posters on a weekly basis. Months after the film's initial release, I began getting used copies of this later version from these theaters.
If the 'funky text' wasn't the first printing, then how come it was the only version available upon the film's initial showing?
