Cinephiles love British movie posters, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the traditional UK “Quad” design – a landscape layout as opposed to the portrait mode traditionally used in America – gives designers a different canvas to play with, one closer to the layout of a motion picture frame. And their commercial instincts are different, so the design of British posters (what’s revealed, who’s included, how it’s sold) can vary wildly from their American counterparts. And those differences are particularly pointed when it comes to horror movies, which had a much tougher row to hoe in the UK, thanks to strict censorship laws, forcing British distributors to find more inventive ways to hawk their wares.
If you’re one of those British poster fans, good news: Prop Store, a first-rate collector and reseller of movie memorabilia, is auctioning off scores of UK posters, concept artwork, and more in a big poster auction this Tuesday, June 25. You can peruse the entire, giant catalog here (and place a bid online), but if you’re just looking for the horror goodies, we’ve picked out some good ones.
(Prop Store)
HALLOWEEN (1978) – UK Quad Poster 1978 ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980) – UK Quad Poster 1980 ESTIMATE: £200 – £300 STARTING: £150
(Prop Store)
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984) – UK Quad Poster 1984 ESTIMATE: £200 – £300 STARTING: £150
(Prop Store)
ZOMBIES: DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) – UK Quad Poster 1978 ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
EVIL DEAD II (1987) – UK Quad Poster 1987 ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (1969) – UK Quad Poster 1969 ESTIMATE: £600 – £700 STARTING: £500
(Prop Store)
THE ANNIVERSARY (1968) – UK Quad Poster 1968 ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
ESTIMATE: £100 – £200 STARTING: £50
(Prop Store)
BRIVIDO AKA MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE (1986) – Italian Original Concept Poster Artwork 1986 ESTIMATE: £500 – £600 STARTING: £450
Check out most posters from Prop Store’s catalog here.