An original poster from the 1932 horror classic “The Mummy” is heading to Sotheby’s just in time for the Halloween season. Karloff’s movie poster is currently being offered in an online-only auction until October 31.
Bloomberg reports the promotional lithograph from the film, which starred Boris Karloff, is estimated in price, ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million. If the piece were to sell at that price, it would once again claim the crown as the most expensive film poster, According to Sotheby’s.
The poster depicts Karloff in the title role and Zita Johann as the subject of his desire. The writing next to the green ghoul warns: “It Comes to Life!” At Sotheby’s 1997 auction, the poster sold for $453,500, taking the auction record and holding the title until 2014. Sotheby’s reports a poster for the 1927 film “London After Midnight” set the new auction record, taking the title from “The Mummy” movie poster.
Sotheby’s reports there are only three copies of the Mummy poster that are known to survive. Kirk Hammett owns one of the rare posters, while lead guitarist of Metallica and avid horror movie poster collector, owns one as well. The lead guitarist even had Karloff’s mummy face emblazoned on his guitar.