Bollywood Heritage – Film Posters Auctioned

MUMBAI – The deRivaz&Ives inaugural of The India’s Film Poster Heritage Online Auction was a success, setting new records for many of the iconic images of Indian cinema, with many lots exceeding 50 bids in the intense battle to own a small part of India’s crumbling and fragile paper-based cinematic heritage.

There was fierce competition for the iconic items, but interest was low for many lesser-known films and designs. The competition between a handful of film buffs – a few from the fraternity, some based in India, some simply respectful of the fragile poster heritage – resulted in some unexpected tussles such as Khel Khel Mein (1973), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1978), and the four iconic photographic images of Amitabh Bachchan on there-release lobby cards of Deewaar (1975).

Dev Anand’s lesser-known films, such as ‘Aandhiyan’ (1952), ‘House No.44’ (1955), and ‘Manzil’ (1960), all broke records, as did ‘Tarana’ (1951), ‘Khamoshi’ (1969), ‘Aavishkar’ & ‘Majboor’ (1974), ‘Mili’ (1975), and ‘Laila Majnu’ (1976).

“We are pleased with our inaugural auction on India’s film poster heritage. It is always good to establish new world records in a relatively nascent and small market. Naturally, the market is rapidly growing with interest from England, Singapore, Dubai, the USA and, naturally, India. However, the participation of the film fraternity will need to improve if the preservation efforts are to take a significant leap forward. I am sure our next auction will galvanize further interest, ” deRivaz & Ives said in a statement.

TOP SELLS

1. Mother India – one-sheeter first release poster, INR 425,600

2. Mughal-e-Azam – three-sheeter first release poster, INR 380,800

3. Deewaar- Four photographic prints on re-release lobby card, INR 358,400

4. Mughal-e-Azam – two-sheeter first release poster, INR 291,200

5. Awara – one-sheeter original release poster, INR 179,200

6. Khel Khel Mein – one-sheeter original release poster, INR 179,200