Iconic movie posters including James Bond to fetch thousands at auction

By Isobel Williams

A cinema projectionist is selling almost 100 iconic movie posters, including James Bond and the Beatles, at auction — for an estimate of $46,620.

Posters carefully preserved by the movie lover, who worked for over 40 years in the business, include almost every major release of the 1960s and a few from the 1970s.

Now this impressive collection, which features Clint Eastwood, Audrey Hepburn and Raquel Welch, is set to go to auction with Ewbanks in Guildford, Surrey, on Oct. 8.

All of the top lots are British Quad posters — the large, 30 x 40 inch display sheets put up outside cinemas to attract audiences, and the most sought-after type of film poster anywhere.

The highlight is a coveted design for the first James Bond film, Dr. No from 1962, with artwork by Mitchell Hooks, which has previously commanded five-figure sums at auction.

This example is estimated to fetch between $6,660 and $10,650.

Other Bond Quads on offer include those for From Russia With Love, with artwork by Renato Fratini ($3,995-$6,660), and Thunderball, with artwork by Robert McGinnis ($2,660-$3,995).

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There are also posters from Planet of the Apes, Cool Hand Luke, Grand Prix, Carry On Screaming, and The Fall of the House of Usher.

The British Quad for The Beatles' Help! carries hopes of $930-$1,330, and the Oscar-winning Lawrence of Arabia, starring Peter O’Toole, is estimated at $665-$1,065.

Several Raquel Welch movie posters will be up for sale including the 1966 hits One Million Years B.C. and Fantastic Voyage.

Two other classic films with female leads include She, starring Ursula Andress, and My Fair Lady, starring Audrey Hepburn.

Funeral in Berlin was the second in the Berlin trilogy starring Michael Caine and should sell for $200-$400.

The first two films in the Man With No Name trilogy starring Clint Eastwood also appear, along with Where Eagles Dare.

The combined collection is estimated to make around $46,620 when it goes under the hammer.

Auctioneer Andrew Ewbank said, “This is an extraordinary collection by any measure.

“When you consider that all these posters came from the display cases of cinemas in which the owner worked as a projectionist, it demonstrates not just exceptional foresight, but a real love of the silver screen.”