Ten Valuable Tarzan Movie Posters

Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan made his first appearance in the October 1912 edition of The All-Story magazine. In 1918, Tarzan made his movie debut, with Elmo Lincoln starring in the silent film Tarzan of the Apes, distributed by First National. From 1918 to 2008 some 89 Tarzan movies were produced, with an array of actors appearing in the title role, including Gene Pollar, P. Dempsey Tabler, James Pierce, Frank Merrill, Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe, Herman Brix, Lex Barker, Gordon Scott, Denny Miller, Jock Mahoney, Mike Henry, Ron Ely and Miles O'Keeffe.

Here are ten valuable Tarzan movie posters. Ungawa!

Tarzan of the Apes (1918) One Sheet Movie Poster

The first big screen Tarzan effort, this silent picture was filmed in Louisiana and stars Elmo Lincoln, Enid Markey, George B. French and Gordon Griffith. This particular one sheet poster (27x41-inches) pictures Lincoln as the adult Tarzan while other examples feature Gordon Griffith as the boy Tarzan. This stone litho adult Tarzan poster is the only one known to exist. Professionally restored and in very good/fine condition and preserved on linen, this ultra rare poster sold at auction for $19,120.

Tarzan of the Apes (1918) restored one sheet poster $19,120

Tarzan of the Apes (1918) Three Sheet Movie Poster

This big three sheet poster (41x81-inches) features Elmo Lincoln as Tarzan and Enid Markey as Jane Porter. It's the only example known to exist today. This exquisite poster in fine/very fine condition and preserved on linen brought a top bid of $11,500.

Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) One Sheet Movie Poster

Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller), Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) and Boy (Johnny Sheffield) defend their African home from treasure hunters in this rousing ape man adventure. A one sheet poster (27x41-inches) in good/very good condition and preserved on linen sold at auction for $776.75.

Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) one sheet poster $776.75

Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) One Sheet Movie Poster Style C

When Boy (Johnny Sheffield) is snatched by a circus promoter and brought to New York, Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) and Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) head to the Big Apple where they try to win him back. Tarzan learns the strange ways of civilization in this Dark Continent meets Gotham classic. Upon entering the smoke-filled Club Moonbeam in New York, the ape man sniffs, "Smell like a Swahili swamp. Why people stay?" A one sheet poster (27x41-inches) style C in very good- condition and preserved on linen brought $507.88 at auction.

Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) one sheet poster $507.88

The Adventures of Tarzan (1921) Window Card

Elmo Lincoln returned as the Lord of the Apes in The Adventures of Tarzan, a 15-episode serial released by Numa Pictures. This rare stone litho window card (14x22-inches) was probably displayed in a store window in 1921 as a movie promotional tool. In restored condition, this early Tarzan movie treasure sold at auction for $1,195.

The Adventures of Tarzan (1921) restored window card $1,195

Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948) Three Sheet Movie Poster

Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) and Jane (Brenda Joyce) try to prevent the marriage of young Mara (Linda Christian) to a villainous pearl trader posing as the god Balu. This was Weissmuller's twelfth and final movie outing as the ape man. A three sheet poster (41x81-inches) in fine- condition brought $388.38 at auction.

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946) Three Sheet Poster

Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller), Jane (Brenda Joyce) and Boy (Johnny Sheffield) battle the leopard tribe, headed by Lea the High Priestess (Acquanetta). A three sheet poster (41x81-inches) in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $597.50.

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946) three sheet poster $597.50

Tarzan's Revenge (1938) Lobby Card Set

Tarzan (Glenn Morris) meets Eleanor Reed (Eleanor Holm) along with her parents and fiance, who have come to Africa to hunt big game. A complete set of eight lobby cards in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $478.

Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939) Midget Window Card

Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) and Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) adopt a baby boy who was the sole survivor of a plane crash. A midget window card (8x12-inches) in fine- condition brought $448.13 at auction.

Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) Lobby Card

Ivory hunters Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton) and James Parker (C. Aubrey Smith) arrive in Africa with Parker's fetching young daughter Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan). In Jane, Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) sees something he likes. A lobby card picturing Weissmuller and O'Sullivan in fine/very fine condition brought $1,912 at auction.

Lobby card: Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan $1,912

Ten More Tarzan Movie Collectibles

• Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939) insert poster $191.20
• Tarzan Triumphs (1943) movie pressbook $48
• Tarzan of the Apes (1918) lobby card $597.50
• Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955) one sheet poster $79
• Tarzan the Ape Man (1981) one sheet poster $47
• Tarzan's Fight for Life (1958) set of 12 8x10 stills $84
• Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959) half sheet poster $36
• Tarzan Goes to India (1962) one sheet poster $26
• Greystroke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) Polish poster $44
• Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963) three sheet poster $16

Greystroke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) Polish poster $44

Credits

• All auction results and images courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas
• Top image: Lobby card: Tarzan Escapes (1936) with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan $448.13