Star Wars (1977) Poster, US, Style D (1978)

Star Wars (1977) Poster, US, Style D (1978)

Artist: Drew Struzan (b. 1947) and Charles White III (dates unknown)

Unframed: 40 x 30 in. (102 x 76 cm)

In 1978 Star Wars was still showing in many cinemas. Lucasfilm wanted to up-date their poster campaign and commissioned Charles White III to undertake this work. White brought on-board Drew Struzan to collaborate with him. Struzan painted the portraits, whilst White worked on the rest of the poster. As there wasn't enough room for the credits White and Struzan decided to enlarge the dimensions of the artwork to create an area at the bottom for the credits. This led them to create this design with a 20th Century circus poster feel to it, with its tattered worn look, as if it had been pasted up for years. This poster features the same artwork as the standard US poster. Far fewer of this size poster were printed, as they were mainly used in drive-in cinemas and special displays. What is particularly nice about this poster, is that it was issued on heavier paper stock, which resulted in a greater saturation of colour on the paper. This poster was distributed unfolded, with many getting folded over time. However, this one remains unfolded.

This poster features the same artwork as the US 41 x 27 in. poster. However, it was printed on heavier paper stock and issued unfolded. Far fewer of this size were printed.

This was where it all begun back in 1977 when George Lucas brought us the beginning of the Star Wars empire.