Backed on cotton canvas and Canson acid-free paper
Regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of French cinema, Jean Cocteau's ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was presented in official competition at the first Cannes Film Festival (1946), but failed to win any awards. Nevertheless, the film's romantic, fairytale plot proved a hit with audiences, with 3.8 million tickets sold throughout France.
Theatre set designer, painter and poster artist Jean-Denis Malclès designed the superb original poster for the film in 1946, which was used again for its 1950s re-release with slightly modified colours to underline its dark and disturbing atmosphere.
Re-released 2nd edition printed in lithography, some ten years after the film was released in France by DisCina. Edition without the blue colour, without the signature "j d Malclès" and without the distributor's logo. The printer of the 2nd version, Richier-Laugier in Paris, closed in 1992.
"The film was released on 29 October 1946 in France, and the first poster from the same year was signed j d Malclès, the original "first release" poster, which is very, very rare. The poster shown here dates from around 1955 and is known as the "ressortie". It was also printed in lithography with slightly less detail and no signature. It has become rare in recent years." André Chevallier, former curator of the Cinémathèque de Lausanne and one of the leading specialists in European cinema posters.
Our work consists in safekeeping the artistic heritage of advertising that we consider as a sociological trace of the twentieth century civilization. Our restoration studio proposes unique know-how in the conservation of old paper, of museum mounting and restoration of vintage poster. If you have an original old poster, Galerie 1 2 3 Studio is at your service.
The posters we propose are veritable pieces of historic heritage, which have a collector’s value. We offer a service of authenticity and original vintage poster certification and propose detailed condition reports including an Official Certificate of authenticity.
