This lot will be auctioned on Friday, March 7th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close as part of the Day 2 Online auction on Saturday, March 8th.

One Sheet (27" x 41"); Style F, Stone Lithograph
Fine+ on Linen
Universal, 1931

This magnificent poster is one of only four copies known of this style poster for this landmark film.

The poster had a tear in the upper white border that extends into the green field between Dracula's raised fist and the moon, along with a small fleck of missing paper at the intersection. A tear from the left border reaches into the "D" in "Dracula" and the black cape, while two tears on the right border slightly enter the image. There were also pinholes in the upper corners. The bottom white border has been trimmed just below the black line, leaving the rest of the image and borders intact. After careful professional restoration, these issues have been expertly fixed. The colors remain as vibrant as when the poster was first printed. Few posters match this one's rarity, desirability, and artistic beauty.

In 1897, Irish author Bram Stoker published Dracula, the story of a mysterious Transylvanian Count and centuries-old vampire. Although initially not a commercial success, the book garnered critical acclaim and inspired various stage adaptations, notably one by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston, which toured England from 1924. When the play hit Broadway in 1927, the lead role went to the unknown Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi, who received widespread praise. However, when Carl Laemmle Jr. of Universal Pictures planned to adapt the play for film, Lugosi was not the first choice. The studio considered several more established actors before realizing Lugosi's willingness to work for a lower salary. The film became a huge success, selling over 50,000 tickets in its first 48 hours at New York's Roxy Theater and grossing nearly $700,000 against a budget of $355,000. Dracula launched Lugosi's career and initiated Universal's profitable franchise of gothic horror films, making it a landmark work in cinema history. Original promotional materials for the film are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

Estimate: $150,000 - 300,000