Meansheets Presents The Movie Poster Museum…

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Many art lovers can tell the difference between a Matisse and a Picasso — but if you love movie posters, can you tell a Drew Struzan from a Saul Bass? Or what about a Jack Davis from a Bob Peak? A Robert McGinnis from a Boris Grinsson? A Brini from a Ballester? A Symeoni from a Swierzy? They might not be household names, but these wonderfully talented poster artists from have created some of the most powerful images showcasing the history of cinema.

This is why Meansheets was created. In the posts below, you can click on the artist’s name or the poster to view each artist’s bio and most well-known designs (due to the quirks of WordPress, it might appear scattered on some web browsers).

Also, feel free to browse the CATEGORIES or use the SEARCH BOX (top right) to look up your favorite movie star or director in the archives — and check out the most popular posts in the sidebar on the right. You can also see ‘The Best of Meansheets’ on Tumblr and Pinterest.

And if you’re interested in learning more about the world of movie posters, I would suggest visiting one of the fine websites below…

Movie Poster Collectors/Appreciators:

AllPosterForum
Eatbrie
MoviePosterCollectors (Authentication/Resources)
Movie Poster of the Day
IMP Awards (New Releases)
Film On Paper
F*ckYeah Movie Posters

Movie Poster Dealers:

EMoviePoster
MOPO (sign up to join list-serv for dealers and collectors)
Heritage Auctions
MoviePosterBid
Posteritati
Film Art Gallery
Dominique Besson (French movie posters)
Posteropolis (Facebook Page)
Chisholm Larsson Gallery

Movie Poster Books

The Art of the Modern Movie Poster (Chronicle Books) and Translating Hollywood by Sam Sarowitz of NYC’s Posteritati Gallery

Italian Film Posters – by Dave Kehr

Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design – Jennifer Bass and Pat Kirkham

Stanislas Choko’s Intemporel series of French movie poster books
British Film Posters – by Sim Branaghan

Lotta Lincolns!

Honest Abe would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that this John Wilkes Booth-inspired poster for Birth of A Nation (left) recently sold for over $48,000…(HA)

birth of a nation movie posterlincoln movie poster

More Horror!

too much horror business the kirk hammett collectionI’m not much of a horror movie fan, but I finally got a chance this weekend to look at Kirk Hammett of Metallica’s movie poster/memorabilia book, Too Much Horror Business — and was mesmerized by his scary pre-1940’s collection.

There’s also a revealing interview with Hammett, in which he details his poster collecting habits and how he has avoided the “celebrity tax” by hiring a fellow collector to do his bidding for him. (AllPosterForum)

nosferatu spanish poster kirk hammett too much horror businessthe black cat too much horror business kirk hammettFrankenstein french poster kirk hammett too much horror businessking kong

Ruthless Movie Poster Collectors?

Heritage reports that they sold the 3-sheet for The American Venus for $35k (at last month’s Vintage Movie Posters Signature Auction) — a beautiful piece of paper that bears a vague Oscar-like resemblance to the 80’s laffer, Ruthless People.

Metropolis Ripoff?

Although not on the scale of the recent Metropolis poster scandal, even a mid-century master like French poster artist, Roger Soubie (left), can be inspired by the classics…

Green Goblin Guru

Prior to becoming the superhero artist, do you think Marvel-ous Stan Lee was a fan of vintage French wine/liquer posters, such as this classic done by the Italian-born French poster designer, Leonetto Capiello (1875-1942), who was once dubbed “the father of modern advertising”?

Tutti Frutti Cerutti

The 1930s and 1940s French posters of Henri Cerutti go down smooth as a sweet, fruity glacé. Hailing from the golden age of the gargantuous 4-panel poster (240×160 cm, or 94x 63 inches for you Americanos), Cerutti’s mural-sized designs were not only big, but beautifully elegant as well. (Intemporel)

The Unknown Poster King

Meet Edward McKnight Kauffer (1890-1954), the man who may have inspired such graphic design icons as Saul Bass and Paul Rand. This well-traveled illustrator was born in America, but thrived in Britain with his bright colors and clean lines…

Hispanic Hirschfeld?

If you’re within eyeshot of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, you might want to check out the early 1900s caricatures of one Marius de Zayas, a Mexican illustrator who’s drawing style is strongly reminiscent of legendary Broadway doodler, Al Hirschfeld.

Señor de Zayas was a natural-born networker as he hobnobbed all over NYC back in the day with artsy pals, Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keeffe.