Feel the Force: Original Vintage Star Wars Posters

As fans around the world eagerly await the release of the latest movie in the Star Wars series, Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), we’re stepping back in time to look at some of the original vintage posters produced for the first trilogy of this epic space saga:

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

This iconic image was designed by the notable movie poster artist, Tom Jung, for the first episode of the Star Wars trilogy – Star Wars / Episode IV: A New Hope (1977). 

The ‘Style D’ poster design features a Star Wars poster pasted on wood with Obi-Wan Kenobi visible on a torn poster behind it.

The worldwide phenomenon of the first film was followed by two equally as successful movies, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983), to complete the original trilogy.

 

Eye-catching teaser posters were designed to build up the excitement: “It’s back! The Force will be with you for two weeks only” and “The original is back.”

   

The Star Wars films created by the renowned filmmaker George Lucas star Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, David Prowse as Darth Vader, Frank Oz as Yoda, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Anthony Daniels as C-3P0, Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin and Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian. The notable composer and conductor, John Williams, composed the instantly recognisable film score.

The saga continues: the first of two poster designs for the final trilogy, this horizontal poster is slightly smaller than standard quad size, issued for display by London Underground.

In 1990, Star Wars was finally released in Russia. At that time, local artists produced posters for foreign movies without any knowledge of the films, which led to some unique designs. This rare poster describes the movie as a “galactic Western” and features an imaginary image by Yury Bokser dominated by an unusual depiction of what could be Jabba the Hut and the Death Star with stars shooting out from the centre.

Related News (click on the image links for more information):

“May The Toys Be With You” exhibition of original vintage Star Wars toys and cinema posters now open at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge in Canterbury until 6 March.

“One of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters will go on display for the first time in a brand new exhibition…May The Toys Be With You is both a celebration of the now highly collectable vintage toy line and of the iconic design work and art of the Star Wars movies…”

Also on display is one of the great unseen treasures of movie poster art for over 35 years: Star Wars painted in 1977 by legendary poster artist Tom Beauvais. A very special opportunity to acquire a limited edition, hand signed and numbered print accompanies this exhibition.

“Beauvais’ bold composition is dominated by an over-sized Luke and Leia. Particular attention has been paid to capturing actor Mark Hamill’s likeness, and uniquely this remains the only theatrical Star Wars poster in which Luke is depicted in his Stormtrooper disguise. Icons of Star Wars – R2D2, C3PO, the Death Star, X-Wings, and lightsabers – also feature, as does an indication of the written credits along the bottom of the poster…”

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Visit our website at www.antikbar.co.uk to browse all our original vintage posters from around the world – cinema, travel, advertising, sport, war, propaganda. For more updates, follow us on:

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AntikBar is a Member of the International Vintage Poster Dealers’ Association (IVPDA), the London Art Deco Society (LADS) and The Association of Art and Antiques Dealers (LAPADA).

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