The Wizard of Oz movie film theater posters memorabilia collectibles For Sale
The Wizard of Oz
Original Vintage Movie Pressbook (12x17")
Starring - Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley,
Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton
Very Rare original "Wizard of OZ" Pressbook from the 1949 re-release. Pressbooks were classic movie artifacts that use to be sent to theater owners to promote their upcoming films. As you can see from the enlargeable images above and below they provided the owner with promotional material choices from ads to movie posters. As a matter of fact, the inside had an image of the very original Oz half sheet we have on Cvtreasures, which you can see at the bottom of this page under "Other Vintage Treasures You Might Like". Its awesome to see the poster we have actually listed and showcased in this Pressbook. Note the half sheets are listed in the pressbook as 22x28" Cards .. Imagine how amazing it would be to own Both !
See below for more fantastic information on this collectible treasure that rarely is offered for sale as 99% of them were discarded by theater owners.
* See enlargeable images above and below
The Wizard of Oz (MGM, R-1949). Folded, Fine/Very Fine. Uncut Pressbook (8 Pages, 12.25" X 17"). Fantasy.
Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin, Clara Blandick, and Terry the Dog. Directed by Victor Fleming. An unrestored pressbook that displays signs of use.
The Movie Pressbook History:
In the world of theatrical film exhibition, a pressbook was a promotional tool created and distributed by film distributors in order to market their films. Sometimes called "campaign manuals," most pressbooks took the form of large, multi-page brochures that were mailed to movie theaters in the interest of helping theaters attract an audience.
A typical pressbook contained images of the various advertising "accessories" available to promote a movie, including images of the available film posters, lobby cards and 8 x 10 film stills. They also contained the various newspaper advertisements exhibitor could employ in local newspaper advertising as well as short, feature pieces that could be planted in local newspapers, usually without cost. During Hollywood's Golden Age, pressbooks also contained various ideas for so-called exploitation campaigns, including souvenir-style give-aways, tie-ins and contests, as well as live promotional stunts. Most pressbooks also contained a list of the film's cast and crew credits (probably to assist local film critics)
A movie pressbook should be distinguished from a press book, which is a collection of works and communications used to represent an individual, group of individuals, service, company or product. Such press books are usually associated with professionals in the graphic arts, etc. but are used by people in many other professions as well. And, HERE is a great Link to a terrific article on Movie Pressbooks.
