“The Adventures of Marco Polo” (マルコ・ポーロの冒険), Original Japanese Movie Poster, 1951 Post-war Daiei Issue, Gary Cooper, STB Tatekan Two-Sheet Format (c. 51 × 145 cm) — T23
This is an original Japanese STB tatekan theatrical poster for the 1951 post-war Daiei release of The Adventures of Marco Polo. Surviving with both sheets present, this impressive example combines romantic portraiture, dramatic battle artwork and oversized Japanese lettering across the tall two-sheet format. This poster is over 75 years old!
Originally released in 1938, the film was produced by Samuel Goldwyn and directed by Archie Mayo, starring Gary Cooper, Sigrid Gurie and Basil Rathbone. Its fictionalised adventure follows the Venetian traveller to the court of Kublai Khan, where romance with Princess Kukachin becomes entangled with the ambitions of the scheming Ahmed. The production combines court intrigue, humour and spectacle in the tradition of Hollywood’s historical adventures.
Printed on two sheets arranged vertically, the Japanese design makes particularly effective use of its elongated proportions. The upper section features large, warmly coloured portraits of Cooper and Gurie leaning towards one another, with a camel caravan and domed buildings behind them.
A second illustration of Cooper standing with folded arms extends across the sheet division. Beneath him, mounted soldiers charge before a burning fortress gateway. The enormous red Japanese title runs down the left, connecting the romantic imagery above with the action below. Muted greens, warm browns and orange flames provide an atmospheric setting for the vivid lettering.
The promotional line across the top reads:
「クーパーの一番エキゾティックな映画！」
“Cooper’s most exotic film!”
The lower margin retains the English title and Samuel Goldwyn presentation credit, together with 「大映株式会社配給」 — “Distributed by Daiei Co., Ltd.” It also carries 「量よりも質」 — “Quality over quantity”, followed by 「大映の洋画」, advertising Daiei’s foreign-film releases.
The combination of large illustrated portraits, bold typography and a continuous composition spanning both sheets makes this an appealing display piece for collectors of Gary Cooper, classic Hollywood adventure films and Japanese theatrical advertising.
Condition: Very Good+ for its age and format. The poster shows age toning, horizontal and vertical folds, handling creases, scattered marks and pinholes. Both sheets retain attractive colour, and the principal portraits and striking red title should display very well once framed.
Please review all photographs, including the individual sheets, close-ups and reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.
STB tatekan format: approximately 51 × 145 cm when assembled.
Stock code: T23.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
About STB (Tatekan) posters
Japanese STB / tatekan posters were tall standing-board advertisements, printed in two pieces to be joined vertically for cinema display. Typically measuring around 51 × 145 cm, their elongated proportions offered considerable scope for distinctive compositions. Designed for temporary theatrical use, surviving examples preserve an important part of Japan’s cinema advertising history.
