So I took off Friday afternoon and headed to the Library of Congress for the second time to explore its movie paper resources. For historical reasons, their movie paper is split into two separate divisions:
- Prints and Photographs:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/- Motion Picture Division:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/
In the prints and photographs reading room, which is quite spacious, you can request to view the physical posters, although they pressure you to view them on the computer. Many of the posters are not in the computer system and you can only find through them by thumbing through ancient card catalogs. I was able to view three posters, including the
Gold Diggers of 1933 one sheet style A, which must be worth at least $25,000 and possibly is the only surviving copy. (I can't find a previous copy ever sold at auction).
Here is the link to the computer entry for this poster:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/00650654/It is the same design as the window card:
The Style B recently sold for $30,000+:
Some sublime Veronica Lake posters I checked out:
The computer entry for the Sullivan's Travel poster:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002735835/
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In the Motion Picture reading room, which is rather small, you can look through the microfilms (yes, ancient technology!). Back in the day the studios would send physical copies of both the film reels and the film promotional materials, which are stored out in warehouses and not accessible to the general public. I was able to find the copyright filing for Dracula (1931) and the pressbook for This Gun For Hire on the microfilms:
More updates to come. I plan to go back soon....
