This lot will be auctioned on Friday, March 6th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST / 12:30pm EST / 5:30pm GMT. 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 on Saturday, March 7th or Sunday, March 8th in the timed online portion of the sale.
British Quad (40" x 30"); Country-of-Origin ;
Very Fine Folded; Artwork by Bill Wiggins
Rank Film, 1958
Propstore is excited to offer this exceptional British quad poster from Hammer Films' "Dracula," featuring Peter Cushing alongside Christopher Lee as Dracula. The artwork, created by Bill Wiggins, vividly depicts Dracula with his pale, undead skin as he prepares to attack Mina (played by Melissa Stribling).
This highly sought-after poster is in its original, unrestored state and has not been backed. It displays a light additional fold, minor fold wear, slight separation at the cross folds, a few pinholes, and a small area of creasing near Dracula's shirt cuff. Additionally, there is a minor tide stain on the back that has caused some light discoloration on Stribling's cheek, along with minor separation at the ends of some folds and tiny edge chips at both ends of the horizontal fold. The bottom edge of the right border also shows some wear.
Despite these issues, this unrestored example boasts rich, bold colors, with vibrant shades of red and yellow that show no signs of fading. Directed by Terence Fisher, this version of "Dracula" is widely regarded as not only the best of all Hammer Horror films but also one of the finest adaptations of Bram Stoker's classic novel. Its concise story, crafted by Jimmy Sangster, superb Gothic sets, and celebrated climax contribute to its acclaim.
This unrestored, country-of-origin quad will be a cornerstone of any serious collection
Making its Propstore debut in auction, this is an original British Quad for the beginning of the Hammer Dracula franchise. This was the second film in the Hammer horror cycle, after "Curse of Frankenstein," which updated the Universal monster mythos with grittier, gorier productions that used the kind of violence and sensuality impossible under prevailing public sensibilities of the 1930s. Christopher Lee is Bela Lugosi's only competition for the definitive screen Dracula, and sought to get beyond the "tie and tails" rendition of the Transylvanian count, imbuing the character with an erotic magnetism which serves his bloodlust. Director Terence Fisher echoed this intention, later saying this underlying element was his own greatest contribution to the character. Peter Cushing adds the gravitas of a classical actor to the role of the vampire hunter Van Helsing, and the serious handling of the subject matter has contributed to the film's enduring appeal.
Estimate: $20,000 - 40,000