Countess Dracula Artwork PHOTO 1970

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This is a large colour photo (13 7/8"x 18 1/2") of one of the two painted pre-production designs, Chantrell created for Hammer for the forthcoming film "Countess Dracula" (these designs believed to date c' 1970). This item was clearly used in the internal production process for the ensuing printed flyers (an example shown below), as it comes with an original fold-over paper cover sheet. There have also been minute pen touch-ups to the corners & small creases (these done at the time by Chantrell) but please note, this is a photo of the artwork & NOT the actual painted artwork itself. Nonetheless, a fascinating piece of original Chantrell/Hammer memorabilia & an excellent size to frame.

NB. Up until the end of 1969 Hammer relied heavily on American finance & the distribution conglomerate Warner-Pathe but when Warner-Pathe split at the end of 1969, Hammer increasingly had to rely on UK distributors such as Rank & EMI & as both had existing arrangements with ad agencies (to some extent) Hammer lost control over the commissioning of final poster designs. Hence Chantrell continued to produce roughs & prototypes for Hammer after 1970 but his work did not always translate to the finished printed poster.