Description
Collectors love original Andy Warhol vintage posters that capture a specific cultural moment, and this TIME poster—featuring Michael Jackson and titled “Why He’s A Thriller”—is a standout from March 1984. Time magazine commissioned Warhol to create the cover image for its March 19, 1984, issue, focused on the phenomenal success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. While the design is based on that iconic cover artwork, this is not a magazine cover: it was created as a poster intended for newsstand window advertising, making it a distinct collectible format. The bright Time palette and bold portrait composition reflect Warhol’s pop sensibility at the height of Jackson’s fame.
This original poster is referenced in Andy Warhol’s The Complete Commissioned Posters, 1964–1987, image #37, page 105. It was intended for newsstand windows to advertise the March 19, 1984 edition of Time Magazine. The poster is identical to the magazine cover except that there is no dog-ear in the upper-right corner (which reads “prayer and politics”) and no barcode. With Michael Jackson at the peak of his public acclaim in 1984, Time selected the bright yellow-and-red design for maximum impact, and this poster captures that same visual statement in a proudly collectible format.
Condition
Very fine collector condition, with minor, age-appropriate surface wear consistent with an item designed for display and handling over time. Linen-backed presentation helps keep the artwork stable and ready to enjoy, making this a particularly attractive acquisition for collectors who want a display-forward Warhol piece. Given the rarity of this TIME–Warhol–Michael Jackson window-poster variant in today’s market, it is a strong example with an excellent overall look.
Authentication
Includes a Free Certificate of Authenticity with the artwork.
Collector Notes
This original Warhol artwork was used for the TIME cover image, but the collectible offered here is the poster format created for newsstand window advertising—not a magazine cover. The design matches the cover closely while omitting the dog-ear element and the barcode.
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