Original Movie Poster Art From Iconic Printing House Comes to Auction
LONDON, UK / AGILITYPR.NEWS / January 31, 2020 / W.E. Berry led the way for 75 years, with designs for Disney, Rank, Universal, Columbia Pictures and Ealing Studios
Bradford-based W. E. Berry Ltd was a leading producer, printer and distributor of film posters for more than 75 years from the 1920s. Initially working with Paramount, the company produced designs for the Ealing Comedies, Rank’s overseas posters, Disney, Columbia Pictures and Universal Studios, as well as for railway companies and Bertram Mills Circus.
Notable films for which W. E. berry produced posters include The Ten Commandments (1923), Oliver Twist (1948), Carry on up the Khyber (1968), Star Wars (1977) and Flash Gordon (1980).
The company continued to flourish until financial difficulties led to its going into administration early in the 2000s and it closed in 2004.Now Ewbank’s Auctions are selling a large selection of original poster artwork from W. E. Berry in a dedicated sale on
February 28 under the title The W.E. Berry Movie Poster Artwork Collection.
Ewbank’s specialist Alastair McCrea says: “This is a particularly interesting collection because it includes hand-painted artwork related to the Bradford firm of W.E. Berry, one of only three printers in Britain that specialised in printing large posters for cinemas.”
In fact, The National Science and Media Museum has an archive of W.E. Berry posters and Ewbank’s are expecting further institutional interest at the sale.
Highlights include original hand-painted artwork for the 1954 film Creature from the Black Lagoon (estimate £2000-4000), another for the 1955 Ealing comedy The Ladykillers, starring Alec Guinness (£1000-1500) and another for the 1953 Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt (£800-1200).
“Talk about rarities,” says McCrea. “It’s one thing getting your hands on the posters, but to be able to offer the original hand-painted artwork is incredibly rare.”
• Ewbank’s Sports & Entertainment Memorabilia department took over as the company’s leading specialist department in 2019 with over £1.25m in auction sales.
All images courtesy of Ewbank’s Auctions.
About Us
About Ewbanks Auctions
Ewbanks are the Premier International Antiques and Fine Art Valuers and Auctioneers covering Surrey and South London, holding quarterly Fine Auctions; and regular specialist sales of Jewellery, Silver, Clocks, Watches and Instruments, Fine Art, Ceramics, Antique Furniture and Works of Art. We also hold specialist auctions throughout the year, including Entertainment and Memorabilia, 20th Century Art and Design, Asian Art, Militaria, Garden and Architectural, Textiles, Fine Wine and others. Ewbank's also hold monthly Antique and Collectors' auctions. As Surrey's leading independent auctioneers we pride ourselves on being a family firm providing the best service, knowledge.
Contacts
Julia Macquisten
Director
info@lucasfieldmedia.comLucas Field Media
Phone: +44 7968 952850
lucasfieldmedia.comLinks