First ever film poster for sale

THE world’s first film poster is going under the hammer.

Printed and pasted on walls in Paris in 1895, it advertised the short films of the pioneering Lumiere brothers.

The poster (right) was created following the films’ opening night at the basement of the Grand Cafe in Paris, and it depicts the throng of audience members at the event on December 28 1895. The Lumiere brothers were among the first film makers, and audiences were captivated and terrified by their short scenes, which included a train pulling into a station and bathers in the sea.

Designed by French artist Henri Brispot, the poster could fetch up to £60,000 – beating King Kong, the most expensive ever film poster, which sold for £42,000.

The item, which has been in a private collection for over 40 years, will be offered online between August 28 and September 4 by Sotheby’s.