Ewbank’s is hosting a Vintage Posters from 10.00am today that includes an unusual Star Wars Russian film poster from the first Russian release in 1990, artwork by Aleksandr Chantsev. There’s good reason why it’s so… well, weird…
At the time of the film’s initial release in Russia, advertisements made outside the Soviet Union were prohibited, so four Soviet artists, Yuri Bokser, Aleksandr Chantsev, Aleksandr Kulov, and Igor Majstrovsky, were commissioned to create four original posters to commemorate the film’s release.
Bootleg copies of Star Wars were circulating in Russia before it was finally released officially. But archivist Samantha Schireson suggests in an item about the poster, a copy also held in America’s Library of Congress she’s helped preserve, that none of the artists had seen the film, so they used their imaginations to design them.
Aleksandr Chantsev’s poster at auction today takes its inspiration from the Mos Eisley creatures in the cantina scene in the 1977 film.
While the posters have a limited association with the movie’s characters and set designs, they’re unique and original works of art. Igor Majstrovsky’s depicts a panther-like Darth Vader with mini lightsabers radiating from his head, that was reportedly used for the Russian premiere in Moscow; while Yuri Bokser’s unique interpretation sees Jabba the Hutt’s monumental head juxtaposed symmetrically against the looming Death Star in a burst of light speed.
Aleksandr Kulov’s half sheet design promotes “Star Wars: A Galactic Western.”
Like the other three, there are very few of these posters in existence, and are much sought after by fans.
Other items in the auction today include a Conan the Destroyer (1984), British Quad Film Poster; The Beastmaster (1982), British Quad Film Poster, artwork by Josh Kirby (best known, perhaps, for his covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels): a The Transformers: The Movie (1986), British Quad Film Poster; Return of The Dragon (AKA The Way of The Dragon) (1972), Pakistani Poster, starring Bruce Lee; and two distinctive Pakistani Posters promoting releases of the Buster Crabbe Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon serials.
Finally, for comic fans, check out this Welcome to Crumbland 1990’s art poster, with artwork by Robert Crumb himself. Nifty!
Vintage Posters 10.00am 20th October 2025 | Viewing Times: Thursday 16 October: 9am-5pm, Friday 17 October: 9am-5pm, and Day of sale | Auction Catalogue
Head downthetubes to…
• Library of Congress: Material Spotlight: Housing a Soviet Era Star Wars Poster
• Bantha Tracks: The Star Wars posters of Soviet Europe
• Star Wars Movie Poster Checklist
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Auctions, downthetubes News, Events, Film, Other Worlds, Star Wars
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