Original Italian locandina poster for ‘Shaft in Africa’ (1973), released in Italy as ‘Shaft E I Mercanti Di Schiavi’ (Shaft and the Slave Merchants). This is the first Italian edition (‘Prima Edizione Italiana 1973’), printed in Italy by Rotolitografica, Roma. The striking design features a bold red silhouette of the African continent filled with a collage of action stills from the film, set against a vivid sky-blue background. The oversized ‘S’ anchors the title typography in classic blaxploitation style. The poster credits star Richard Roundtree and Vonetta McGee, with the screenplay by Stirling Silliphant, produced by Roger Lewis, and directed by John Guillermin. The film was an MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer) production. An Italian censorship stamp reads ‘Vietato Ai Minori Di Anni 18’ (forbidden to those under 18). The locandina format — a narrow vertical display poster unique to the Italian market — makes this a highly collectible artefact of early 1970s blaxploitation and Italian film distribution history. A compelling piece for collectors of vintage cinema, MGM memorabilia, or 1970s pop culture.
Some visible creasing and fold lines on the poster surface. There appears to be minor surface wear and small scuffs, particularly visible in the lower left area of the locandina. The top edge shows a clip/hanging mark. The poster appears generally intact with no major tears, though light handling wear is present throughout.
