The original artwork for the first Star Wars movie poster is tipped to fetch more than £760,000.
The advert image for the iconic 1977 film, now called Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, was owned by producer, Gary Kurtz.
The poster features Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO and Obi-Wan Kenobi and battle scenes from the classic movie.
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Kurtz died in 2018.
His family is offering it for sale for the first time.
His daughter Melissa said: “It serves as a warm reminder of that incredible experience, being part of the making of a film that has touched so many lives.”
It is being sold at Heritage Auctions’ Hollywood Entertainment Signature sale, as reported on What’s The Jam.
A spokesperson said: “This extraordinary painting is the first widely published image to ever promote Star Wars.
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“The visual spark that ignited a global phenomenon.
“First appearing in national newspaper ads on May 13, 1977, nearly two weeks before the film’s release, the dynamic composition introduced audiences to “a galaxy far, far away.”
Chinese-American artist Tom Jung created the image.
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Gary Kurtz first worked with Star Wars director George Lucas on 1973’s American Graffiti.
He produced the first two films in the original trilogy.
The sale takes place on 10 December in Dallas, Texas, US.
Charles Epting, Heritage’s Director of Pop Culture and Historical Consignments, said: “Heritage Auctions has had the privilege of offering countless extraordinary pieces of Star Wars history.
“But none embody the heart and spirit of the saga quite like this painting. This is the image that launched a mythology.
“The first glimpse of a universe that continues to inspire awe and wonder nearly 50 years later.”
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