Description
David Edward Byrd’s striking composition unfolds as a theatrical spectacle, dominated by a towering, platinum-blonde figure rising above a stylized Art Deco marquee. Radiating beams of white light cut sharply through a deep cobalt sky, converging on the central figure and amplifying her almost mythic presence. Below, a densely packed crowd surges forward in a frenzy of color and motion—faces upturned, arms raised—rendered in Byrd’s characteristic fluid line and heightened palette. Palm trees flank the composition, framing the chaos with a distinctly Hollywood iconography, while the crisp geometric lettering anchors the image with architectural precision.
Byrd, celebrated for his work in both countercultural graphics and theatrical poster design, brings a uniquely ornamental and psychologically charged sensibility to this piece. The poster merges glamour and unease: its polished, almost luminous surface contrasts with the barely contained hysteria of the crowd below. This tension aligns with the broader visual language of 1970s American poster art, where illustrative sophistication and conceptual depth often replaced straightforward narrative depiction.
As a signed work by a recognized poster artist, this example occupies a higher tier within 1970s U.S. one-sheets. Byrd’s authorship, combined with the poster’s bold Art Deco-inflected design and strong visual identity, makes it particularly desirable among collectors of both film and graphic art.
Condition
Professionally linen-backed with restoration to original fold lines; light age wear; colors remain rich and unfaded with excellent overall presentation.
Authentication
This poster is guaranteed authentic.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Issued by an IVPDA-certified dealer.
David Edward Byrd (1941 – 2025)
Date:1975
Size:27 x 41 inches
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