By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
Spy This: Bond Poster Exhibition Opens at Posteritati Gallery
The Reeler dropped by the Posteritati Gallery on Centre Street today, where owner Sam Sarowitz just opened up his new “Bond, James Bond” movie poster exhibition this morning. I last chatted with Sarowitz about Posteritati’s contribution to The Independent Movie Poster Book, but not much about his gallery has changed; it still makes me want to blow out my credit limit, and the vintage 007 one-sheets would test any Bond-buff’s discipline.
Sarowitz told me the idea for the exhibit came from the franchise’s latest (and controversial) resurgence with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. “Bond is very popular–always has been,” he said. “I’ve loved James Bond movies since I was a kind, and some of the first things I got were stills form James Bond movies back when I was a teenager. But really, from a business standpoint, we buy what’s in demand. And we’re always selling them.”
Posteritati has 111 Bond posters in stock from countries ranging from Australia to Yugoslavia. Sarowitz is partial to the Japanese-style posters; he has a handful on display from Goldfinger, Thunderball and Dr. No, the latter of which is priced at $3,500.
“It’s pretty difficult to find. It’s the first film, so it tends to be the hardest of any of the Bond films to find. There’s actually an even rarer style on Dr. No. There are two styles of Japanese posters for Dr. No: The main image on that other one is him putting–or maybe it’s… Pussy Galore putting? [Ed.: A Web search later revealed it was actually Bond babe Sylvia Trench.] It’s a style I’ve never had before.”
Obviously, a few people take this kind of thing more seriously than others, but even casual Bond fans would probably find it a fun display to check out. While you are there, please pick up the rare US poster for Kubrick’s Lolita for me; these blogging wages keep such treasures eternally just beyond my means.