A rare British quad poster for the first UK release of Walt Disney's 1954 live-action sci-fi adventure '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', based on the 1870 novel by Jules Verne. From the archive of poster artist Jack Hubbard, the poster remains in exceptionally fresh condition with strong, bold colours. Hubbard's lush underwater design featured Captain Nemo's memorable fight with a giant squid, along with portraits of the film's four stars - Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, and Peter Lorre. With its ground-breaking special effects, the ambitious production was a critical and commercial smash, becoming the third highest-grossing film of the year and garnering two Academy Awards.

British poster artist Jack Hubbard (1913-1985) was active from the 1950s to the 1980s, predominantly working for 20th Century Fox as well as other British studios such as Eros, British Lion and Embassy. He created the CinemaScope logo, which became a registered trademark for Fox. Notably, '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea' was one of the first feature-length films to be shot using CinemaScope. This was his own personal copy of the poster he designed and came to him direct from the printer quarter-folded, unlike the posters distributed to theatres, which were folded an additional time (into eighths) as standard.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Conservation backed on linen. Prior to backing, the poster was quarter-folded only, with some fold splits at edges, and with creasing, nicks and small tears to the lower edge in the white margin only. Backing and the most minimal spots of colour touching have smoothed and diminished the folds for display. Some light surface scuffs, predominantly to upper left portion. Image and colours otherwise excellent.