History of the World, Part I

N.p. Crossbow Productions, Cica 1980. Three vintage oversize printed set illustrations and one original graphite set illustration from the 1981 film. Two printed illustrations stamped with a Crossbow Productions title block crediting production designer Harold Michelson and art director Norm Newberry on the bottom right corners of the rectos.

The oversize printed illustrations depict two grand designs for the Roman Empire sequence and one for the French Revolution sequence, while the graphite illustration depicts a design for the Temple of Eros sequence.

An ambitious, sprawling historical farce made by Mel Brooks in the heat of his success as a film director. Brooks plays Moses, Tomas de Torquemada, King Louis XVI, and "Jacques, le gar on de pisse." Part I begins, of course, with the Dawn of Man, and covers The Old Testament, The Roman Empire, The Spanish Inquisition, and The French Revolution, ending with a "preview" of Part II (never made, in keeping with Sir Walter Raleigh, who was beheaded before he could write his Part II). The preview includes Hitler on Ice, a Viking funeral, and "Jews in Space."

Printed illustrations: 42.5 x 26 inches to 44.25 x 28.25 inches. Folded horizontally and vertically. About Near Fine overall.

Graphite illustration: 16.5 x 11.75 inches. Very Good plus, with a chip at the top left corner.

Rosenbaum 1000.

[Book #160816]