The man who made a monster – Frankenstein is doubtless the greatest horror film of all time. An original 1931 Frankenstein movie poster insert could fetch monstrous $100,000 when it crosses the block July 27-28 as part of Heritage Auctions’ Movie Poster Signature sale.
“This is an amazing Holy Grail for collectors,” said Grey Smith, Director of Movie Posters at Heritage. “Every year it seems we uncover a rarity few people ever knew existed. We’re happy to bring these finds to light and are just thrilled when they find new homes in excellent collections.”
The current owner of the poster is 60 year old man – Keith Johnson, who bought it as a teenager at an antique shop for just a few dollars. He bought two or three other posters at the same time, though they are now lost in time and he cannot remember what films they were from. The Frankenstein insert, however, was not going anywhere.
“It was my pride and joy,” he said.
Other rarities that will be offered at auction include a one sheet from the 1934 classic The Thin Man, which could fetch $20,000. A colorful, “style A” half sheet and partial press book from The Wizard of Oz is expected to break $20,000.
A dazzling six sheet from Errol Flynn’s most notable role from The Adventures of Robin Hood, is expected to reach $20,000 and a scarce one sheet from Gold Diggers of 1933, the Depression Era movie that introduced the song “We’re in the Money,” is expected to bring $18,000.
A rare one sheet from The Three Stooges‘ classic film “Playing the Ponies” may bring more than $20,000 to lead the largest collection of pre-1940s Three Stooges movie posters and lobby cards ever offered at auction. A scarce one sheet for the hilarious short “Mutts to You,” a rare pre-1940 Three Stooges poster highly sought after by collectors, is expected to bring $15,000.
