STAR WARS ✯ CineMasterpieces RARE PROGRESSIVE PRINTER'S PROOF MOVIE POSTER 1977

Description

✯ STAR WARS
✯
U.S. 1SH ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER
PMS (ARTWORK ONLY) PROGRESSIVE PRINTER'S PROOF
1977
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Perfect for a high end home theater.
Highly sought after by movie poster collectors and aficionados.
Always seeking quality consignments.
Immediate cash advances available.
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David A. Lieberman is the owner and founder of CineMasterpieces. He has been buying and selling vintage posters for over 30 years. David is a recurring expert featured on The History Channel TV show
Pawn Stars
.
DESCRIPTION
From the CineMasterpieces archive.
This is a beautiful example of an original 28" x 41" U.S. one sheet PMS (ARTWORK ONLY) PROGRESSIVE PRINTER'S PROOF movie poster from 1977.
Rolled, never folded.
Single sided.
It is truly amazing what is still left undiscovered. This is undoubtedly the rarest original Star Wars Style A one sheet. We had heard rumors that a progressive proof existed but it was unconfirmed until a former Gore Graphics employee showed up with this at our office in May 2019. Only 4 of these are known to exist (we have had all 4 in our possession). Hidden away in the private archive of a former Gore Graphics employee for the past 40+ years. He had a few more originally but he gave them to his kids to make covers for their school books! With no text, how do we know this is the first printing with NSS # 77/21-0? This is a PMS proof. PMS proofs were only done for the first printing. All other later printings of the style A one sheet were done in CMYK. The Star Wars style A artwork is arguably the most recognizable movie poster artwork ever created.
Extremely rare "first printing". NO HAIR ON LUKE'S BELT. NEVER FOLDED.
Gore Graphics was the company that originally printed these for the studio and NSS back in 1977.
Why is this version more expensive than other versions of the Style A one sheet?
This version with NSS # 77/21-0 is the very first printing. The Style A one sheet was printed at least 5 times in 1977. There are known reprints and/or reproductions of this poster. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM! This is guaranteed to be a genuine ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER issued by the studio when the film was first released and meant for theatrical display. We are absolutely certain it is authentic. Bootlegs have a "hair" on Luke's belt area. This does not have the hair. This is the most bootlegged and reproduced poster on planet Earth! It is extremely difficult to find an authentic one. About half the ones sent to us for consignment have to be sent back because they are reproductions.
About Printer's Proofs:
Before a poster was printed in large quantities, the printer would print a limited number of test posters. They would leave the color bar chart on the edge of the poster which added an extra inch to the width of the poster. These would then be shown to people in a position to "OK" them. Once they were approved, the final posters would be printed and the proofs normally were destroyed. A printer's proof is far more rare than a regular one sheet poster, and there is no fear of purchasing a reproduction.
STAR WARS STYLE A 1SH
"FIRST OF THE FIRST"
FIRST PRINTING 77/21-0
PMS
COLOR VARIANT PRINTER'S PROOF
By David A. Lieberman
Owner, CineMasterpieces
First, a little background information:
Gore Graphics was a printing company used by the movie studios and the National Screen Service (NSS) from the 1970's to the early 1990's. They printed original movie posters, press books, etc. Gore was acquired by another company in the 1990's.
The Star Wars style A one sheet was officially printed at least 5 separate times at a few different authorized print shops during the first theatrical run of Star Wars in 1977. This is evidenced by the differences that can be seen on the bottom borders of the one sheets. It has been well established by other experts, dealers and collectors over the years that the one sheets with NSS number 77/21-0 were printed first before all others.
In July 2013 we had an extensive conversation with Mark, a former employee of Gore Graphics in the 1970's and 80's. Like other former employees at Gore we have worked with over the years, Mark was allowed to take home posters from time to time. He has placed on consignment with us several Star Wars printer's proof one sheets. While meeting with Mark we became aware of a rare PMS color variant printer's proof for the Star Wars Style A one sheet first printing 77/21-0. Mark carefully explained about these PMS proofs being the "first of the first" Star Wars style A one sheets.
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These are the primary colors used in printing. Varying the quantities of these colors creates an endless array of colors to print.
PMS stands for Pantone Matching System (PMS). PMS is a simpler system for printers to use. PMS colors can streamline the process of printing and cut down on cost. There can be so much variation in color using CMYK that Pantone is sometimes used to help create consistent color. This way a printer can consistently print from job to job.
These "first of the first" PMS proofs were printed before the CMYK proofs. Four colors (plates) were used for both the PMS and CMYK proofs. The PMS process produced a result that was unacceptable to those in charge (probably George Lucas) so Gore changed to a standard CMYK process for the subsequent print run which was finally deemed acceptable. All other print runs used this CMYK process (as far as we know) making the PMS color proofs much rarer than any CMYK proofs.
The PMS proofs are significantly different. When comparing the CMYK and PMS proofs side by side, the easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the color bars. The PMS proofs have orange included in the color bar, CMYK has yellow.
CONDITION
C8 EXCELLENT
Not in perfect condition. Minor wrinkles and tiny edge nicks top left border.
It is not uncommon for true printer's proofs to be handled a bit roughly.
When buying collectibles it is always wise to buy "the best of the best" as they stand a greater chance of appreciation. This poster is considered to be within that class and is definitely INVESTMENT QUALITY.
BEWARE OF REPRODUCTIONS
There are
no
known reprints and / or reproductions of this progressive proof poster.
This is NOT a reprint or reproduction poster! It is guaranteed to be a REAL ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER.
We are absolutely certain it is authentic.
Buy with confidence. We have been on eBay since 1998.
Please read all of the information below before purchasing.
Please be advised that over 95% of all Original Movie Posters printed before the mid 1980's were issued FOLDED. This is NOT considered a defect. They were shipped to theaters this way. Vintage rolled posters do exist, however they are extremely rare. We can have any folded poster Linen Backed which will make the fold lines virtually disappear.
Also please note that most movie posters were actually used at the theater, and some will contain slight imperfections such as: writing on the back, pin holes, fold wear, small tears, etc. These are all very common and to be expected, but if they bother you, all these minor flaws can be remedied in the Linen Backing process. Linen Backing preserves and can actually increase the value of a poster. For the most part, any flaws will be fixed and the poster will appear to be in Near Mint condition. For more information about our Linen Backing service please message us through eBay.
We do not always measure all of our posters exactly. Unless otherwise specified, poster measurements quoted above are approximate to the nearest inch. For example, if we say a one sheet poster is 27" x 41" its precise measurements may be closer to 26 3/4" x 40 7/8" (or something similar). This slight variance is quite common for all original movie posters.
BEWARE OF "FAKE" MOVIE POSTERS!
There are fakes, bootlegs, reprints, and reproductions of almost every popular movie poster. WE DO NOT SELL THESE AS ORIGINALS LIKE OTHERS DO! There are many unscrupulous dealers who successfully pass off these posters as originals. They have been doing it for years! These fakes are almost indistinguishable from originals, only experts can tell. Many who buy them don't know they have been taken. They only discover years later when they sell them that they are worthless. Most are from popular movies from the 70's and 80’s, but there are also really old ones and relatively new ones as well. They usually appear in insert size 14" x 36" and one sheet size 27" x 41". Again, all we can say is BEWARE!
GRADING & CONDITION
We grade our posters according to the Iguide Universal 10-Point Movie Poster Grading Scale. Almost all of our inventory is graded at least C8 Excellent or better.
C10 Mint
- Investment quality. No perceptible flaws of any kind.
C9 Near Mint
- Investment quality. Minor flaw on an otherwise unused poster.
C8 Excellent
- Investment quality. A few minor defects. Pin holes, small tears, etc.
C7 Very Good to Excellent - Fine. Several defects. Still a very nicely preserved item.
C6 Very Good - The typical used poster in average condition. Several defects.
C5 Good to Very Good - A heavily-worn item.
C4 Good - Below average but still suitable for display.
C3 Fair - Heavily worn, but yet still complete.
C2 Poor to Fair - An extremely worn, possibly even incomplete item.
C1 Poor - The lowest grade, representing items in the lowest possible condition.
Some of our posters are "between grades". For example, a C8-C9 poster will contain all the qualities/characteristics of a Near Mint C9 except for one or two very minor flaws that we believe prevent it from being a true C9.
SHIPPING
NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR COMBINED SHIPPING
It is usually possible to ship folded and rolled posters together in one package by rolling the folded ones and shipping them all in one tube. Sometimes it isn't possible to do this. Sometimes we can't roll a folded poster. If this is the case then we must split your wins/purchases into two separate packages and you will be charged for a second shipment.
All wins/purchases must be paid for within 7 days.
We offer either USPS Express or Priority Mail Shipping.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND USPS EXPRESS MAIL FOR SHIPMENTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.
BULLETPROOF PACKAGING
We only use the strongest packaging materials available. We guarantee your purchase will arrive safely and undamaged.
Folded posters are placed in a plastic bag between STRONG pieces of cardboard and then in a shipping box. Rolled posters are put into a plastic sleeve and then placed in a HEAVY-DUTY thick walled 3" or 4" diameter plastic tube. We roll the poster into a smaller diameter than the tube. This is VERY IMPORTANT because it gives the edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting wrinkled. We add soft cushioning material on the ends to prevent them from getting damaged. We stamp “FRAGILE: DO NOT BEND” on the outside of the package.
NON U.S. CUSTOMERS
WE WILL NO LONGER SHIP FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL AIRMAIL WITHOUT INSURANCE
Our experience has shown that packages shipped this way can easily get lost and/or sometimes take several weeks to arrive.
RETURN POLICY
We have an open and easy return policy so you can buy from us with confidence. In the unlikely event you are unhappy with your purchase, please notify us immediately. You may return an item for any reason within 30 days of receiving it for a full refund. You must notify us before sending it back. Item must be in the same condition as originally sent to you and returned to us with our bulletproof packaging materials or return policy does not apply.
If you buy a non linen backed poster and choose to have us linen back it for you, the poster is not returnable for a refund. It is however returnable for FULL CREDIT towards the purchase of other posters from us.
CONSIGNMENT
We are experts in marketing and selling movie posters on eBay. We know how to create a listing that will yield up to TEN TIMES more than you would get if you sold/auctioned them yourself.
Learn about our eBay Consignment Program
Let us sell your posters for you!
GUARANTEE
We guarantee that all posters we sell are graded and described accurately. Unless otherwise specified in the description, all posters are original theatrical movie posters that were displayed (gently used) or meant for display (unused) in theaters at the time the movies were released.
We guarantee your purchase will arrive safely and undamaged.
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
We can provide you with a FREE Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for every original movie poster you buy. We will put in writing that we guarantee it to be an original movie poster. Upon request we will include it in the shipment.
ABOUT US
David A. Lieberman is the owner and founder of CineMasterpieces. He has been buying and selling vintage posters for over 30 years. David is a recurring expert featured on The History Channel TV show
Pawn Stars
.
Buy with confidence. We have been on eBay since 1998.
References
Our eBay store
FAQ page
Thanks for bidding!