Thursday, June 25, 2009

POSTERAMA 6

It's poster time agin', maw! But just one today.

This beauty from the "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" walk thru attraction is definitely up there in terms of my favorites. It's certainly not the rarest poster, but zowie, what an image! The family is silhouetted against the Salon's huge oculus, while the ferocious giant squid glares at them with that yellow eye.



Besides being spectacular to look at, this poster is notable for using more colored inks than any other vintage silkcreened poster. Typically a poster used about 5, with the white of the paper making a 6th hue. This poster uses 11 inks! The red used for the lettering is actually a vivid, day-glo red/pink. For years I only knew of this poster from black and white photos, so when I finally saw the real thing, it was pretty unexpected. But I love it!

12 comments:

Chris Merritt said...

I miss mine!

Chiana said...

Makes me wanna see it all right! Great poster :)

Matterhorn1959 said...

Fantastic poster and one on my want list....

Chris- I will take care of your poster in a nice dry climate for you!

Chris Merritt said...

I'll trade you for your POP Coca-Cola sign!

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

NICE! I wonder how it would look under a black light? The silhouetted family really gives this poster an extra boost of coolness. Your photos of your posters come out great, that can't be easy to do, THANKS!

Katella Gate said...

My favorite Octopus as seen thru my favorite Oculus. What's not to love?

Seriously, sharp concept, sharp execution. We (read Major) needs to run a pole for favorite poster.

Nancy said...

Katella Gate, that is a great idea!

this is among my favorites as well, and was the hardest poster pin to come by when i was looking for them on our last visit. i actually ended up getting it from mouseshoppe, and i think it was their last one as well

thanks, Major! :D

Chris Merritt said...

Vintage DL Tix - I thought that too, as mine was an "extra" copy that had been rolled up in storage and never exposed to light since it was printed - so the colors on mine are especially radioactive looking! But gorgeous... Anyway - I tried hitting it with a black light, but the colors just go to mud. But the colors are really fantastic - really one of the best attraction posters along with the original subs and tiki room. You have to see the colors in person to appreciate it!

Major Pepperidge said...

Chris and Vintage Tix, I am wondering if it might make a difference as to what kind of UV light is used? My mom is a mineral collector, and many minerals fluoresce under either long wave or short wave UV, but not both. If you use the wrong kind of black light, the mineral just looks like nothin'. I have a small black light that will shine both long and shortwave, I should try it this weekend!

Matterhorn1959 said...

Wow Major- I just learned something today! Thanks! I wonder if Mineral Hall had both long and short wave UV lights in their displays?

And Chris- thanks for the offer but I have grown attached to the mermaid.

outsidetheberm said...

This poster would have had to been painted with black light paint for it to radiate any flourescent glow. At least that's what we do here...

Major Pepperidge said...

Outsidetheberm, the 20K poster (and a few other Disneyland posters) appear to have fluorescent colors on them, although they might not actually BE black light colors. I'll check this weekend when I have some time!