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LOT 1019
Desirable Framed Universal Pictures Co. “Winchester ‘73” Movie Poster - This is a genuine 1958
re-release Universal Pictures Co. advertisement for the motion picture “Winchester ‘73”, starring James
Stewart, Shelley Winters and Dan Duryea, with Stephen McNally and others listed. Originally released
in 1950, the film takes place in the American West in 1876 and centers around the journey of a prized
“One of One Thousand” Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle from one ill-fated owner to another.
The film also helped to bolster the career of James Stewart as an actor, received a nomination for
“Best Written American Western” from the Writers Guild of America, and was added to the National
Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2015. The poster is approximately the size of large
window advertisements featured in the lobby of cinemas, showcasing upcoming films, showcasing
James Stewart’s character, grasping the sought after Winchester Model ‘73 in heroic cowboy posture,
standing large over a scene of cavalry troopers versus Native Americans above the title line, with a
scene of a town shootout and Shelley Winter’s character in distress underneath. The bottom corners
of the poster are marked “Copyright 1958 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc.”, “Country of Origin U.S.A.”
and “PROPERTY OF NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE CORP. Licensed for display only in connection with
the exhibition of this picture at your theatre. Must be returned immediately thereafter”, along with
“11166” written in black ink and “R 58/26”. The walnut frame measures approximately 41 3/8 x 27 3/8
inches, with the observable area of the print measuring 38 1/2 x 24 3/8 inches.
CONDITION: Fine, with the imagery remaining distinct and the color vibrant with a few minor creases
from folding and a small, discreet tear near the middle left. The frame is also fine with some minor
handling/storage wear. This desirable movie poster would be the perfect accessory to pair with the
actual prop gun from the movie in the previous lot!
Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500 23 23
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 98% factory plus blue finish on the barrel, magazine tube, side
plates, dust cover, lever, buttplate, and small parts, 80% plus factory blue finish remaining on the
frame with a slight plum cast and fading mainly on the upper tang, strong factory gold finish on the
scrollwork, crisp engraving, attractively aged patina on the plaque, deformation on the bottom of
the cartridge elevator, and generally fairly minor overall wear for a rifle used in a western. The wood
is also excellent and has crisp checkering, stunning figure, and only minor dings and scratches from
screen use. Mechanically excellent. This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to get your hands
on one of the most iconic and significant firearms in the history of western films and Winchester
collecting. This “hero gun” was a major player in generating excitement around the iconic Winchester
Model 1873, the ever rare “One of One Thousand” rifles, and the history of the American West.
Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection.
Estimate: 150,000 - 325,000