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The launch of home video machines during the late 1970s introduced the crime of'video piracy'. The machines not only afforded thieves a more convenient way to record and spread their illegal duplicates but also allowed audiences to watch movies in the comfort of their homes. Unsurprisingly, the popularity of the Star Wars franchise and its much anticipated third instalment, Return of the Jedi (1983), led many a bootlegger to steal cinema film reels. To combat this, 20th Century Fox and Classic Cinemas created this'Reward' poster offering £5,000 for any information about the theft and warning that any VHS tape copies found for sale were illegal. The original posters were printed in sets of two on one piece of paper (British Double Crown size) and then cut after printing, making one border thinner than the other.

Provenance: David Frangioni is a published author, music businessman, producer, technologist, engineer, philanthropist, and drummer. He has worked with Aerosmith, Shakira, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne, Robbie Williams, and hundreds more. He is CEO of Modern Drummer Magazine and has several books published, including Clint Eastwood: Icon: The Essential Film Art Collection and Crash: The World's Greatest Drum Kits, both by Insight Editions. Frangioni is considered one of the world's most prominent and knowledgeable collectors of Clint Eastwood memorabilia and boasts an enviable archive of movie posters and memorabilia.

15" x 20" (38 x 51 cm)

Condition: Fine+

Folded with one rough edge where the poster was cut in two. There is some faint tape remnants on the left border.

Artist: Unknown Artist

£1500 - 3000

VAT Status: Ω

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