“Casablanca” (カサブランカ), Ultra‑Rare Original Japanese B3 First‑Release Poster — 1946 First Japanese Premiere Release (13 June 1946) — approx. 14.3 × 20.3 in (36.4 × 51.5 cm)
This is an original Japanese poster printed in 1946 for the first premiere release of Casablanca in Japan. Produced in the uncommon B3 size (common from posters in the immediate post war period due to paper shortages) specifically for the film’s initial Japanese run, it was printed for use only in the handful of theatres where the picture debuted—making it one of the rarest and most collectible Casablanca posters in any format. The poster uniquely documents the premiere engagement, naming the three venues where it opened: Musashino‑kan (武蔵野館), Hōrakuza (邦楽座), and Denkikan (電気館)—a remarkable piece of first‑release Japanese cinema history.
About the film
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre.
Set against the war‑torn, morally complex backdrop of Casablanca, Bogart and Bergman rekindle a doomed romance amid political intrigue, corruption, and murder—an enduring masterpiece widely regarded as one of the finest films ever made. The film went on to win the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, with Bogart earning his first Best Actor nomination.
Poster design
A striking, painterly composition elevates this format above most other Casablanca paper: Ingrid Bergman’s luminous portrait dominates the left, while Humphrey Bogart—fedora low, trench coat collar up—turns tensely to the right with a pistol in hand. The bold, dimensional Japanese title カサブランカ crowns the top in gold block lettering, while the English title CASABLANCA cuts across the lower field in vivid red with dramatic black shadowing. At the base, the premiere theatre strip lists 邦楽座 / 武蔵野館 / 電気館, and the lower‑left 封切 (“first release”) marking underscores its true first‑run status.
Why collectors prize this example
Casablanca is a blue‑chip title in the film‑poster world, with certain formats achieving truly elite status among collectors.
Two benchmark examples that can be exceptionally valuable in top condition include:
• Original U.S. 1942 one‑sheet first‑release posters (the quintessential Hollywood “trophy” format for the title).
• Early large‑format U.S. paper (such as three‑sheets) and other scarce first‑release country issues (often pursued as centrepieces in advanced collections).
Compared with those top‑tier Casablanca formats, this ultra‑rare 1946 Japanese B3 first‑release poster is, in relative terms, modestly priced—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. For collectors who think in terms of scarcity, cross‑market demand, and long‑term desirability, it offers fantastic investment potential as an accessible entry into the very highest echelon of Casablanca paper (as always, collectible markets can move up or down, but true rarity tends to be the foundation of lasting demand).
Japan Poster Shop provenance
Japan Poster Shop sourced this ultra‑rare poster over five years ago from a private Japanese collection. It has been displayed in our office—right next to Godzilla (1954) and other true grails that have come and gone over the years—because even among premium titles, this one stands out for both scarcity and visual impact.
Condition
Excellent. A remarkably well‑preserved theatre poster with no pinholes, no tears, and no stains. Minimal handling/edge wear only, consistent with careful decades‑long storage. Colours remain strong, with outstanding display presence for a piece approaching eight decades of age. Verso shows light, even age‑toning and show‑through consistent with period paper stock. Please review the provided photographs—shown is the exact poster offered.
It is nearly 80 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
A singular opportunity to acquire an ultra‑rare, first‑release Japanese Casablanca poster in the uncommon B3 size—an exceptionally attractive, historically specific premiere piece with standout artwork and serious long‑term collector appeal.
