“Solomon and Sheba” (ソロモンとシバの女王), Original Japanese Movie Poster 1959, Yul Brynner / Gina Lollobrigida, B2 Format (c. 51 × 73 cm) — U27
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for the 1959 Japanese release of Solomon and Sheba, titled ソロモンとシバの女王 (Soromon to Shiba no Joō). Released in Japan on 22 November 1959 through United Artists, this colourful design combines lavish costumes, expansive battle scenes, and prominent star imagery.
Directed by King Vidor, the biblical epic stars Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida, supported by George Sanders, Marisa Pavan, and David Farrar. Its fictionalised treatment of Solomon’s relationship with the Queen of Sheba blends romance with political intrigue, religious conflict, and warfare. Brynner assumed the role of Solomon after Tyrone Power died during production, necessitating extensive reshooting.
Printed on one B2 sheet, the composition places Gina Lollobrigida as the Queen of Sheba against a vivid red background. Her outstretched arms, elaborate gold jewellery, and flowing pink skirt give the foreground a sense of movement. Behind her, a curved, screen-like panel contains ranks of soldiers and horse-drawn chariots, with Yul Brynner as Solomon standing prominently in armour, holding a sword and shield.
The large white Japanese title 「ソロモンとシバの女王」 fills the lower-right section, its angular lettering outlined in black. Blue star billing appears above the battlefield, while smaller supporting-cast portraits occupy the lower-left corner. A decorative frieze runs across the bottom above the United Artists distribution credit.
The yellow 「総天然色」 credit advertises full colour, while the blue 「テクニラマ」 lettering promotes Technirama. The English title, “Solomon and Sheba,” appears in outlined display lettering beneath King Vidor’s Japanese director credit.
The prominent white tagline reads:
「雄渾のスケール！驚嘆の官能美！大画面に展開する空前の大作！」
“Majestic scale! Astonishing sensual beauty! An unprecedented spectacle unfolds on the big screen!”
The combination of theatrical colour, costume imagery, and widescreen spectacle gives this poster a distinctive presence. It is an appealing example for collectors of Gina Lollobrigida, Yul Brynner, King Vidor, and Japanese posters for Hollywood biblical epics.
Condition: Very Good+ for its age; cinema used. The red background and principal images retain strong colour.
Please review all photographs, including the reverse and close-up details, as they show the exact poster for sale.
B2 format: approximately 51 × 73 cm.
Stock code: U27.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
About Japanese B2 posters
Japanese B2 posters, typically measuring around 51 × 73 cm, were a standard format for theatrical advertising. Designed for temporary cinema display, surviving examples preserve the distinctive artwork, typography, and promotional approaches of their original Japanese releases.
