Posters

Here's looking at you kid! A knockout Ingrid Bergman takes centre stage on this beautiful B2 poster for the 1962 Japanese re-release of the enduring Hollywood classic Casablanca, her wistful gaze setting the tone for the quintessential romantic drama. Almost 80 years after it was first released, Casablanca remains one of the world's best loved and most quoted films, transcending its era to entrance generations of moviegoers. Directed by Michael Curtiz based on an unproduced stage play and adapted for the screen by Julius and Philip G. Epstein, along with Howard Koch, the masterful wartime tale follows Humphrey Bogart as an American nightclub owner in Vichy-controlled Casablanca who sacrifices his renewed feelings for former lover Bergman to help her and her husband escape in order to continue their fight against the Nazis. Rushed into release in November 1942 to capitalise on the publicity surrounding the Allied invasion of North Africa and the capture of Casablanca, the film exceeded Warner Bros. expectations, achieving wide critical acclaim and box office success, and going on to win the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. With it's rich atmosphere, pervasive dialogue, sentimental theme song and magnetic, career-defining performances from Bogart and Bergman, the film's popularity only seems to grow "As Time Goes By," consistently voted as one of the greatest films in Hollywood history. It follows that any paper for Casablanca has become increasingly sought after and scarce, snapped up by collectors at every opportunity. Featuring lush artwork, unique to this Japanese release, this incredibly rare poster in original unbacked condition is a treausre for any Casablanca connoisseur.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Unfolded, not backed. A few nicks and shell creases to edges, with minor spots of surface loss, from the poster being bumped when rolled. Undulation from being lightly and softly tri-folded at one time, with a few light creases along the wave. A tiny brown dot stain at upper right. Image and colours excellent.