{"product_id":"star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back-original-first-release-advance-japanese-movie-poster-1980-ultra-rare-style-a-linen-backed-b1-size-approx-73-103-cm-29-40-in","title":"“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”, Original First-Release ADVANCE Japanese Movie Poster 1980, Ultra Rare, Style A, Linen-Backed, B1 Size Approx. 73 × 103 cm \/ 29 × 40 in","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"178\" data-end=\"537\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eoriginal Japanese advance poster\u003c\/strong\u003e, printed in 1980 for the first Japanese theatrical release of \u003cstrong data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"326\"\u003eStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/strong\u003e — Japanese title: \u003cstrong data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"363\"\u003eスター・ウォーズ／帝国の逆襲\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"386\"\u003eTeikoku no Gyakushū\u003c\/em\u003e). This is the exceptionally rare \u003cstrong data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"444\"\u003eB1 “Advance” Style A\u003c\/strong\u003e format, produced prior to the film’s summer release and intended for early cinema promotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"539\" data-end=\"998\"\u003eDirected by \u003cstrong data-start=\"551\" data-end=\"569\"\u003eIrvin Kershner\u003c\/strong\u003e and starring \u003cstrong data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"701\"\u003eMark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, and James Earl Jones\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"728\"\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/em\u003e is widely regarded as one of the defining sequels in cinema history. Darker, more operatic, and emotionally richer than its predecessor, the film expanded the mythology of Star Wars and introduced some of the saga’s most enduring characters, locations, and revelations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1000\" data-end=\"1368\"\u003eOf all Japanese posters produced for \u003cstrong data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1064\"\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/strong\u003e, this \u003cstrong data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1092\"\u003eB1 advance format\u003c\/strong\u003e is among the most elusive. The standard Japanese \u003cstrong data-start=\"1142\" data-end=\"1148\"\u003eB2\u003c\/strong\u003e version of this celebrated design is comparatively obtainable; the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1216\" data-end=\"1222\"\u003eB1\u003c\/strong\u003e, however, was printed in far smaller numbers and used only for major theatrical display. Surviving examples are virtually absent from the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1821\"\u003eThe design is one of the most striking Japanese teaser images for the film: a vast star field, a looming image of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1499\"\u003eDarth Vader\u003c\/strong\u003e emerging from darkness, and the monumental red katakana title \u003cstrong data-start=\"1562\" data-end=\"1574\"\u003eスター・ウォーズ\u003c\/strong\u003e projected in bold dimensional form across the lower half. Beneath it, the yellow subtitle \u003cstrong data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003e帝国の逆襲\u003c\/strong\u003e announces the Japanese release title, while the English line \u003cstrong data-start=\"1736\" data-end=\"1795\"\u003e“The Star Wars Saga Continues: The Empire Strikes Back”\u003c\/strong\u003e appears discreetly below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"2113\"\u003eA key feature of this advance poster is the top text: \u003cstrong data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1901\"\u003e“STAR WARS シリーズ第2弾!”\u003c\/strong\u003e, translating to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1918\" data-end=\"1947\"\u003e“STAR WARS Series No. 2!”\u003c\/strong\u003e This wording clearly identifies the poster as an early promotional piece, positioning the film as the second chapter in the saga before its full theatrical campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2115\" data-end=\"2578\"\u003eJapanese \u003cstrong data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2138\"\u003eB1 posters\u003c\/strong\u003e were produced in much smaller quantities than the standard B2 size and were intended for large-format display in cinema lobbies, major theatres, and transit advertising cases. Their size made them difficult to store, and many were folded, discarded, pasted, or damaged through display use. Finding this \u003cstrong data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2461\"\u003eAdvance Style A\u003c\/strong\u003e design in B1 format is extraordinarily difficult — a genuine \u003cstrong data-start=\"2523\" data-end=\"2544\"\u003eholy-grail format\u003c\/strong\u003e for serious Star Wars collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2740\"\u003eAdvance \u003cstrong data-start=\"2588\" data-end=\"2595\"\u003eB1s\u003c\/strong\u003e were printed once and meant for short-lead promotion, making them rarities today — especially \u003cstrong data-start=\"2690\" data-end=\"2706\"\u003elinen-backed\u003c\/strong\u003e and in such remarkable condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2997\"\u003eWe sent this poster from Tokyo to California, where it was professionally \u003cstrong data-start=\"2816\" data-end=\"2845\"\u003econservation linen-backed\u003c\/strong\u003e by Fourth Cone Restoration (one of the premier restoration studios in the field). Their meticulous work ensures the piece is stabilised and display-ready for future generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2999\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eThis is an important original Japanese theatrical poster from one of the most culturally significant films of the modern era. It is not a reproduction or a reprint — this is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"3176\" data-end=\"3226\"\u003eoriginal 1980 Japanese advance B1 movie poster\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3257\"\u003eIt is over \u003cstrong data-start=\"3240\" data-end=\"3256\"\u003e46 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3359\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3272\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3272\" data-end=\"3275\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3361\" data-end=\"3402\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3361\" data-end=\"3402\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56952913789306,"sku":null,"price":6750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/man-looking-at-an-art-gallery-wall_63.jpg?v=1780716174","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back-original-first-release-advance-japanese-movie-poster-1980-ultra-rare-style-a-linen-backed-b1-size-approx-73-103-cm-29-40-in","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}