Robert McGinnis
Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961
US One Sheet Movie Poster
42 x 27 in. (106.5 x 68 cm.)
Backed on linen
Further images
In the pantheon of American movie posters, it doesn't get more iconic than this - the spectacular US one-sheet poster for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. Designed by legendary poster artist Robert...
In the pantheon of American movie posters, it doesn't get more iconic than this - the spectacular US one-sheet poster for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. Designed by legendary poster artist Robert McGinnis, the image of Audrey Hepburn as the enigmatic Holly Golightly in that famous little black Givenchy gown with her high chignon, pearls and two-foot-long cigarette holder, cat perched on her shoulder, has become one of the most recognisable of the 20th century. “I never dreamed it would be the most printed thing in history,” reflected McGinnis in later years. “You see it everywhere.” Often reproduced, this is a true 1961 original in stunning condition. Holly Golightly would be Hepburn’s defining role, establishing her status as one of the greatest screen legends and style icons of all time. It seems unbelievable now that Truman Capote, author of the novella on which the movie was based, had his heart set on Marilyn Monroe for the part. Monroe pulled out of the running when her acting coach advised her not to play a lady of the night. A moderate hit at the time, the film was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Actress for Hepburn, although only Henry Mancini won on the night for his jazzy score and haunting ballad Moon River. Decades later, it has become one of the most beloved movies of all time - the essential Audrey, a quintessential New York movie, and a 1960s cinema classic.
Provenance
Backed on linen. Backing has smoothed and diminished one vertical and three horizontal folds, as issued to theatres. A couple of tiny nicks to edges. One fairly clean staple hole to each corner, with a couple of additional pin holes to upper corners. A couple of tiny brown stains to margins and a whisper of discolouration to lower edge. Traces of ink transfer to vertical fold. Image and colours otherwise excellent.