Original film posters from iconic Bradford printing house up for auction

W.E Berry, based on Currer Street in Little Germany, led the way for 75 years - creating designs for film giants including Disney, Rank, Universal, Columbia Pictures and Ealing Studios.

The firm began life in the 1880s, creating posters for railway companies and circuses.

But the roaring 1920s saw W.E Berry move into film posters after forming a business relationship with Paramount Pictures.

It soon became one of the leading producers and distributors of film posters. Collections of the company's posters are held at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford and at the V&A Museum in London. 

Some of its most famous posters include Star Wars (1977) and Flash Gordon (1980).

The company closed its doors in 2004, but a large selection of original poster artwork is to go under the hammer on Friday at Woking-based Ewbank's Auctions.

Specialist Alastair McCrea said: “This is a particularly interesting collection because it includes hand-painted artwork related to the Bradford firm of W.E. Berry, one of only three printers in Britain that specialised in printing large posters for cinemas.” 

Highlights include original hand-painted artwork for the 1954 film Creature from the Black Lagoon (estimate £2,000-4,000), another for the 1955 Ealing comedy The Ladykillers, starring Alec Guinness (£1,000-1,500) and another for the 1953 Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt (£800-1,200). 

“Talk about rarities,” added Mr McCrea.

“It’s one thing getting your hands on the posters, but to be able to offer the original hand-painted artwork is incredibly rare.” 

Pictures: Ewbank's Auctions