An original poster for Houdini's 1919 film
The Grim Game sold for a hefty $63,000 (with buyers premium) at
Heritage Auctions "Treasures of the Silent Screen: The Dwight Manley Collection" auction today. This 2-day sale is the largest auction ever dedicated solely to silent-era movie posters.
The Grim Game was the second highest priced poster in session one, beat only by a
King Kong one-sheet.
It's not generally known that the dramatic image on this poster is painted from an equally dramatic still photo. That photo has never been reproduced in any book, but you can see it below in this 1920 newspaper clipping.
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| The Spokesman Review, Jan. 4, 1920. |
Congrats to the winner of this stunner!
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It’s been fun tracking this lot since it started at $1 ($30 w/BP) online. My congrats to the winner as well. The still photo also appeared in the Boys Cinema magazine, July 30 1921. Would love to see that still photo publishd in a book. As you know, I have a high quality print made from the MHL original still photo.
ReplyDeleteIf I can, it will go in my book! :)
DeleteHow many of those Grim Game posters are out there? We know DC has one in his museum.
ReplyDeleteRoger Dreyer also has one in his museum. On his Houdini Revealed site he says there are five known.
DeleteOh I forgot about Roger's website. Roger, DC, and the individual who bought this poster at action. That leaves two more floating around.
DeleteLooks like some Chaplin posters have beat Harry in session 2 today, with a one-of-a-kind poster for The Kid hitting $114,000 (w/ BP).
ReplyDeleteNo respect for money...
DeleteBeats a sports car! At least it preserves cinema history and holds its value.
Delete