The Original Movie Poster Research Collection is a vivid and instructive series of images: lithograph movie posters that promote more than 6,000 movie titles produced mostly from 1940 to 1962. Some 4,000 posters, covering the years 1950-1962 were generously donated by Frederick Adler in 1972. Mr. Adler added approximately 1,000 more titles, concentrating on the early 1950's. In 1974 Philip Sills donated about 1,600 posters that are reflective of the 1940's. These posters are rich resources for researchers and have been requested by many different LIU Campus Departments for instructional purposes in disciplines such as: Theatre, Film, Dance, Music, Graphic Arts, and Fine Arts. Besides the obvious appeal to film students, these original movie posters interest Art majors who are stimulated by the varying graphic design approaches used in these examples of movie poster art. Business students will appreciate the marketing effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the differing ways to advertise movies. Many movies of this time period reflect the history of World War II and the Cold War. These film images are of value not only to students of history but also to the social researcher for their shifts in mores and culture. These original archives are available to view and study in LIU Post Library Archives and Archives and Special Collections where they are housed. Appointments are encouraged.
