When a 1933 Disney animation poster outbids iconic Westerns and a galaxy far, far away, it’s a clear signal that vintage movie advertising remains a heavyweight in the memorabilia world. Propstore’s Fall Collectible Poster Auction, held October 9–11, pulled in over $1 million, with the top prize going to a piece of early animation history.
The standout lot was a stone lithograph one-sheet for Mickey’s Pal Pluto (1933), offered on linen, which fetched more than $47,000. The sale underscores the lasting cultural pull of Walt Disney’s earliest characters and the artistry of the posters that marketed them nearly a century ago.
Westerns also rode high in the results. A Four Fogli from The Nicola Bais Collection for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) hammered at $31,500, while a companion piece for For a Few Dollars More (1965) brought $12,600. Together, those figures show that Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name films still command serious collector interest.
Autographed material continued its hot streak, with the signed category collectively reaching over $177,000. A rare multi-signed Star Wars: A New Hope (1992 re-release) one-sheet sold for $28,350, carrying signatures from Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and eight other cast members, complete with a Beckett COA.
Other notable results from the sale, with prices including buyer’s premium, included:
- Mickey’s Pal Pluto (1933) One Sheet (28″ x 41.25″ / Stone Lithograph / Very Fine on Linen) — $47,250 (£35,796)
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Italian Four Fogli (55″ x 77″ / The Nicola Bais Collection / Country-of-Origin / Limited Rome Premiere Style / Very Fine Folded) — $31,500 (£23,864)
- Star Wars: A New Hope (R-1992) One Sheet (27″ x 41″ / Signed by Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and 8 More / Beckett COA / Style B / Very Fine- on Foam Board) — $28,350 (£21,478)
- The Maltese Falcon (1945) First Post-War Italian Release Foglio (39″ x 27″ / Stone Lithograph / Very Fine on Linen) — $15,120 (£11,455)
- Hard to Handle (1933) One Sheet (27.25″ x 41″ / Stone Lithograph / Very Fine on Linen) — $13,860 (£10,500)
- La Dolce Vita (1960) Italian Four Fogli (55″ x 77″ / Country-of-Origin / Very Fine+ on Linen) — $13,860 (£10,500)
- For a Few Dollars More (1965) Italian Four Fogli (54.5″ x 77″ / The Nicola Bais Collection / Country-of-Origin / Very Fine on Linen) — $12,600 (£9,546)
- The Lady Eve (1941) One Sheet (27″ x 41″ / Very Fine on Linen) — $11,970 (£9,069)
- Seven Samurai (1954) Japanese B2 (20″ x 28.25″ / Country-of-Origin / Very Fine+ on Linen) — $11,970 (£9,069)
- Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) One Sheet (27″ x 41″ / Very Fine+ on Linen) — $11,340 (£8,591)
Grey Smith, Director of Posters US at Propstore, said the auction’s breadth was part of its appeal. “We’re thrilled with the results of this auction and with the enthusiasm collectors brought to such a wide range of material. Classic cinema posters continue to hold a special place in the collecting world, and it’s exciting to see autographed posters shining alongside them. Each poster offers a different glimpse into the films, artwork and craftsmanship that have shaped cinema history. We’re glad these pieces have found new homes with fans who value the care and creativity behind them.”
Propstore is already looking ahead, accepting consignments for its Spring 2027 Poster Auction.
Founded in 1998 by Stephen Lane, Propstore has evolved from a personal passion into a leading auction house for screen-used props, costumes, and production artifacts. The company works with major studios and brands, hosting live auctions since 2014 and offering over 2,000 items for immediate purchase at www.propstore.com.
Why it matters: The strong results for both century-old animation posters and modern franchise memorabilia show that physical film artifacts remain a resilient investment category, even as digital entertainment dominates. Collectors aren’t just buying paper — they’re preserving the visual history of cinema, one sheet at a time.
