90-Year-Old Movie Poster Up For Auction Valued At Up To $300K

A poster for the original Frankenstein movie was recently discovered and put up for auction at an insane price. The first and definitive cinematic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s ubiquitous gothic horror novel from 1818, the 1931 pre-code film was directed by James Whale and starred Colin Clive as the titular mad scientist and Boris Karloff as the reanimated monster. The 1931 Frankenstein movie is one of the most influential films of all time and, as a result, has spawned countless sequels and reimaginings over the years.

A poster for the original Frankenstein movie was recently discovered and put up for auction at an insane price. At the time of writing, the current bid for the rare pop culture artifact is $77,500, though the piece has an estimated value of anywhere from $150,000-$300,000. The rare movie poster, which can be seen online at Heritage Auctions, will be up for auction for 18 more days.

Why The Frankenstein Movie Poster Is So Valuable

Movie posters are among the rarest of all pop culture artifacts since they are printed solely to advertise a film during its theatrical run. Therefore, unlike other collectible items, movie posters are not mass-produced or intended to be sold to the general public. In the case of 1931’s Frankenstein, only seven copies of the one-sheet Style A poster were produced. This includes the one that recently hit auction after being discovered in a Pennsylvania attic where it rested for decades unbeknownst to anyone and is in near-mint condition and completely unrestored.

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The last time a Frankenstein Style A poster in comparable condition was sold at Heritage Auctions was nearly two decades ago for $189,750, which is why the recently unearthed artifact is valued within that range. As one of the most influential films in history, the 1931 Frankenstein poster is one of the most coveted and valuable in existence. The exceedingly rare artifact, which could sell for up to $300,000, would undoubtedly serve as the crown jewel for any collection.

Source: Heritage Auctions