Vertigo (1958)
This is an original 1958 one sheet poster for Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological masterpiece Vertigo, featuring the legendary graphic design by Saul Bass. The hypnotic spiral motif, stark red-orange backdrop, and minimalist silhouettes of James Stewart and Kim Novak have made this one of the most instantly recognisable and iconic posters in cinematic history.
This example is folded-as-issued and completely un-restored, just like it would have been sent to the cinema with the film reel in 1958. A centrepiece for any serious Hitchcock, design, or Golden Age poster collection.
⸻
Cultural Significance and Cinematic Impact
Released in 1958, Vertigo was initially met with mixed reviews, but over the decades, it has come to be regarded as Alfred Hitchcock’s most personal and psychologically complex work. In 2012, it famously dethroned Citizen Kane to top Sight & Sound’s critics’ poll as the greatest film of all time.
The film explores themes of obsession, identity, illusion, and control—both romantic and cinematic. James Stewart plays a retired detective plagued by acrophobia and guilt, while Kim Novak delivers a haunting dual role that has become a benchmark of enigmatic screen performance.
Vertigo’s dreamlike visual style, Bernard Herrmann’s unforgettable score, and Hitchcock’s chilling use of San Francisco’s fog-shrouded landmarks cemented it as a masterpiece of psychological suspense. The film’s influence is vast—from Brian De Palma to David Lynch and Martin Scorsese—and its thematic depth continues to be dissected in film studies, psychology, and gender theory alike.
Just as significant is the poster itself. Saul Bass’s spiral design was revolutionary in poster art, breaking from literal depictions and instead evoking the film’s thematic descent into obsession. It remains a landmark of 20th-century graphic design.
- Year: 1958
- Nationality: United States
- Condition: Folded-As-Issued
- Type: Original US One Sheet
- Size: 27 X 41 Inches
- Product Code: T5827
