The Empire Strikes Back (1980), British Royal Charity World Premiere poster, British

The Empire Strikes Back (1980), British Royal Charity World Premiere poster, British

Ralph McQuarrie (1929-2012)

Unframed: 22 1/4 x 16 1/4 in. (56.5 x 41.2 cm)

Framed: 27 x 21 in. (68.5 x 53.3 cm)

This exceptionally rare British Royal Charity World Premiere poster was designed by Ralph McQuarrie and features a version of his Vader in Flames artwork. The Charity World Premiere took place in London on the 20th May 1980. This date was very close to the original Empire Day, which was first held in 1902, on Queen Victoria's birthday the 24th May, and became an annual event from 1916 until it changed in 1958. The marketing department took full advantage of the film's release date. An army of Stormtroopers - in Jeeps and on foot - took to the streets of London, holding placards of this poster in order to build up the crowd's already heightened excitement. This is one of the rarest pieces of marketing material known to exist on The Empire Strikes Back.

This is the second film in the original Star Wars trilogy, which is now also known as Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Although George Lucas did not direct this film, he wrote the story and served as executive producer.