THE FIGHTING SEABEES - Rare 1944 WW2 US Navy Film JOHN WAYNE Movie Glass Slide

Description

An Original American Movie Glass Advertising Slide
Here is an unique opportunity to personally
own a piece of cinema history!
This is a RARE, vintage, coming attraction glass slide
of the original US release of the film from my
extensive personal collection.
This is NOT a reproduction copy or reprint.
It's a wonderful promotional item that was sent to
theaters to display on the big screen and advertise
the new motion picture release to the public.
Motion Picture Title:
THE FIGHTING SEABEES
Director: Edward Ludwig
Approximate Size in Inches:
3 1/4" x 4"
Year of Origin:
1944
Movie Studio/Distributor:
Republic Pictures
Film Stars:
John Wayne,
Susan Hayward & Dennis O'Keefe
Physical Condition:
VERY GOOD
Original release used color glass slide
with NO cracks...
has aging/soiling and some warping
to the vintage cardboard frame.
This authentic, "coming attraction" glass slide was designed by the film studio and printed to promote the first theatrical release of a classic movie. The hand colored glass slide is ORIGINAL. It is NOT a reproduction, or commercial item available to the general public. It was created to be projected on the movie theatre screen before the film was released, to promote the "coming attraction". The fragility of glass slides make those that have survived (especially those in excellent condition) very rare pieces of film history. Surviving glass slides are much rarer than the paper poster memorabilia from the same film.
The graphic image of the slide often duplicates the design of the 11" by 14" title lobby card. Sometimes the design uses the graphics of the 22" by 28" half-sheet posters.
Movie glass slides were first made during the early 1910s. They were used to show "previews" of coming attractions, and were projected before the films began, and between films of double feature presentations. They continued to be made through the early 1950s, but were used much less frequently after movie trailers began to be shown in the 1930s.
Pre-1924 glass slides consist of two panes of glass, each measuring 3/14" by 4". The top pane is the clear cover glass and the bottom pane has the emulsion of the actual photographic image. The glass panes are held together with pieces of black tape on the edges of the two panes, slightly overlapping the front and back. Most post-1924 slides are "framed" by two pieces of light brown cardboard. The cardboard was usually stapled together, with the name of the film stamped on the cardboard edge. Generally the black tape style of slide was used for silent films, and into the 1930s. The cardboard frame style of slide was used from the late 1920s, into the 1950s. There is typically a blank space along the bottom edge of the glass slide. This space allowed operators/projectionists to manually write in the play dates with a grease pencil. Slides might typically say "FRI-SAT-SUN". Such writing could be easily cleaned off if desired. Its presence does not affect the value of the glass slide.
Glass slides are extremely rare, for a number of reasons. The slides were produced to be sold or leased directly to the movie theater manager or operator. They were never distributed elsewhere, and certainly would not have been of interest to others. The slides were produced to be displayed in movie theaters for a week or two, before the advertised feature was released. Once the film opened, there was no use for the slide. The majority of slides were probably discarded shortly after the film played. Perhaps some were stuffed in a drawer or cabinet and discarded five, ten, twenty, or more years later. They were not regarded as collectibles until the 1970s. If they weren't discarded, they would have had to survive for sixty, seventy, eighty, or more years. Another reason for the rarity of glass slides is their fragility. They are easily damaged. Although slide cabinets existed, at least from the 1950s, most theater operators would not have had them. The condition of the cardboard frames, and black tape bindings, is not critical to the desirability of glass slides to collectors. But the condition of the glass itself is of paramount importance. Glass slides were awkward to store, and could be easily chipped, cracked, or shattered.
Glass slides can be projected on walls or screens with vintage projectors or magic lanterns but NOT by using the more common 35mm slide projectors. Some people have made illuminated display cases for their slides. I have been collecting slides for over 25 years, and simply enjoy and appreciate mine by holding them up to a light source.
There has been NO restoration or cleaning. The colors are richer and brighter, and the contrast is sharper, than the poor JPEG image suggests. If there is any writing in the bottom blank "playdate" area, it can be easily and completely removed.
Please be aware that my digital camera image may differ
slightly from the actual lantern slide quality due to
exposure/lighting/glares/focus.
Please ask any and all questions prior to bidding/buying.
All payment is due within 3 days of the auction/sale close.
This will be shipped to you flat, safe, sturdy and secure.
Shipping and Handling within the USA will be via USPS Mail.
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Multiple purchases can ship together for postage savings.
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