History of the World, Part I (Three original oversize printed set illustrations and one original graphite set illustration for the 1981 film)

N.p.: Crossbow Productions, 1980. Three original oversize printed set illustrations and one original graphite set illustration from the 1981 film. The three oversize printed set illustrations are two grand set designs for the Roman Empire sequence and one for the French Revolution sequence, with two of the printed set illustrations stamped with a Crossbow Productions title block with the names of credited Production Designer Harold Michelson, credited Art Director Norm Newberry, and uncredited "Co-Ordinator" Hank Wynands, one with a manuscript pencil annotation on the lower right of "To Barry / From Bill + [illegible]." The original graphite set illustration for the "Temple of Eros" is unsigned, and was used for the set design for the beginning of the Roman Empire sequence, which featured a brief cameo from Hugh Hefner outside of the Temple of Eros.

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."

Shot on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, Old Agoura, California, Oxfordshire and Surrey, England, and Seine-et-Marne, France.

3 printed set illustrations, 42.5 x 26 inches to 44.25 x 28.25 inches. Folded horizontally and vertically. Near Fine overall, with light edgewear and creasing at the extremities, one with a one inch closed tear to the right side.

Original graphite illustration on tracing paper, 16.5 x 11.75 inches. Very Good plus, with light creasing overall, light edgewear, and a chip to the upper left corner.

Rosenbaum 1000.