Rare Douglas Fairbanks Movie Poster Hits the Auction Block!

Dallas, Texas: Douglas Fairbanks sits confidently atop a treasure chest, sword at the ready, with his trademarked smile beckoning one and all to become a part of his latest adventure.

With a poster like this, who, in 1926 could resist seeing Fairbanks' latest epic, especially since it was also the very first feature to be fully shot in the exciting new two-strip Technicolor process?

The answer, of course, is no one. Considered one of Fairbanks' best films, and chock full of all the stunts and derring-do Doug's audience had come to expect, The Black Pirate is still the yardstick by which all other pirate movies are measured.

"There are two styles of poster known for this classic film," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Poster Auctions for Heritage, "with this being the better and more desirable of the pair. It is, in fact, one of the most sought after one sheets of the entire silent era. In our Fall 2005 auction, Heritage auctioned the other style of this one sheet for an impressive $17,250, so I'm anxious to see how this beauty performs."

The Black Pirate one sheet will be auctioned in Heritage's upcoming Movie Poster Signature Auction, to be held March 25 & 26 in Dallas, Texas. It carries a pre-auction estimate of $30,000 - $40,000.

• The Black Pirate one sheet

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage movie posters and related material should contact Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367, or 214-252-4367, or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.