“Dumbo” (ダンボ), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1954, Ultra Rare, Linen-Backed, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm)

A captivating 1954 first-release Japanese B2 for Walt Disney’s Dumbo—and one of the most charming Japan-only layouts created for any classic Disney title. We believe this poster has perhaps never surfaced in any major auction, placing it among the rarest Japanese Disney posters in existence, and very possibly one of only a handful that still survive today.

Visually, it’s an absolute celebration of the film’s circus-world spirit: a bright golden-yellow field anchors the entire sheet, while the massive, vertical ダンボ title in bold red dominates the right side with unmistakable mid-century graphic impact. Balancing the typography is a beautifully illustrated, storybook-style composition that feels uniquely Japanese in its clean colour blocks, playful pacing, and “best moments” montage approach.

Sourced by Japan Poster Shop from a trusted contact near Osaka, this piece came from a cache that had been meticulously stored in the warehouse of a former cinema owner whose business closed in the 1980s during the rise of home video—exactly the kind of provenance that explains why true first-run survivors like this almost never appear publicly.

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release

Dumbo premiered internationally in 1941.
This is an original, ultra-rare survivor from the film’s first Japanese theatrical release in 1954—now over 71 years old—issued as a Japanese-language presentation (日本語発声版).

The Film & Its Place in Disney’s Legacy

Produced by Walt Disney Productions, Dumbo was Disney’s fourth animated feature and one of the studio’s most financially successful releases of the 1940s—helping secure the future of Disney feature animation during a pivotal era. The film’s cultural legacy remains strong, further amplified by Tim Burton’s live-action adaptation in 2019.

Design Notes

Circus parade frieze: along the very top runs a delightful procession beneath festive pennant bunting—turbaned camel rider, a baby elephant, a grand blanketed elephant, a cage wagon, zebras, a seal balancing a ball, a towering giraffe, and a prancing white circus horse—selling the spectacle before you even reach the central art.
Japan-only typography drama: the oversized, vertical ダンボ lettering is pure graphic design—bold, curved, and confident—turning the title itself into the poster’s main visual “pillar.”
Story montage centerpiece: a blue-framed illustrated panel presents two key moods of the film—above, Dumbo flying with Timothy perched on his head as crows wheel across the sky over a gentle pastel landscape; below, a darker night sequence with Dumbo peering from a railcar marked with English warning signs (“DANGER,” “MAD ELEPHANT,” and “DANGER KEEP OUT”), creating a striking contrast that heightens the narrative.
Tender character close-up: the lower third is dominated by a large, soft-eyed Dumbo portrait with oversized ears and a small circus cap, holding a tiny flag—paired with Timothy in ringmaster attire at the right, adding warmth and personality.
Period Japanese sales copy: the vertical red tagline at left plays up the emotional heart of the film—describing Dumbo as the little elephant who longs for his mother and promising a picture that will make audiences cry, laugh, and enjoy, even praising it as a masterpiece that surpasses Bambi.

Disney, Technicolor, and the Japanese Release Pitch

The lower-right English block—“WALT DISNEY’S DUMBO” and “COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR”—locks the sheet firmly into the classic imported-feature era, while the vertical Japanese copy highlights the film as a full-colour feature-length animation (総天然色長篇漫画) presented as a Japanese-language version (日本語発声版). At the bottom, the distribution credit reads 大映株式会社配給 (Daiei), an important historical fingerprint of how major foreign titles were brought to Japanese cinemas in this period.

Condition Report

Overall condition: Mint, and exceptionally well-preserved for a 1954 first-release Japanese poster.
This poster was sent from Tokyo to California and expertly linen-backed by one of the world’s top conservation studios, ensuring long-term stability and display strength for future generations.

Please refer to the images—this is the exact poster for sale. It is not a reproduction or reprint. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.