*The very first "movie posters" appeared at the same time movies were first
made, around 1896. They were small posters with a vertical format,
advertising the machines and the process, rather than individual
movies!Here are more important milestones in the early history of movie
posters (I am just writing these off the "top of my head", and I welcome
any additions or corrections):c.1898 - what is believed to be the first
poster for a specific movie is seen, for the comedy short "Watering the
Gardener"c.1901 - the first traditional one-sheets for single movies
appearc.1909 - the first one-sheets with actors billed appearc.1909 - the
first exhibitor magazines appearc.1910 - the first three-sheets appear
(printed on 3 one-sheet sized pieces, hence the name)c.1912 - the first
8x10 stills appearc.1913 - the first six-sheets appear (printed on 6
one-sheet sized pieces, hence the name)c.1913 - the first 14x22 window
cards appearc.1914 - the first souvenir program books appearc.1915 - the
first 11x14 lobby cards appear (the very first ones are vertically
oriented)c.1916 - the first pressbooks appearc.1917 - the first 22x28
half-sheets (called "displays") appearc.1920 - the first 14x36 inserts
appearc.1920 - the first 24-sheets appear (printed on 24 one-sheet sized
pieces, hence the name)c.1920 - the first studio yearbooks (also called
"campaign books") appearATTENTION ALL YOU POSTER HISTORY BUFFS! As I said
above, the above chart was created in minutes, and I welcome any additions
or corrections. I would LOVE to greatly expand it, and I would especially
like to add similar dates for every movie poster producing country! Please
email me if you have information to help make this a reality!*
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