Original 1978 David Lance Goines Poster ‘Messiah’ – Pacific Film Archive Vintage Wall Art

Add a sophisticated mid-century aesthetic to your space with this rare, authentic 1978 poster by the legendary American printmaker and graphic designer David Lance Goines (1945–2023). Famous for his iconic Arts & Crafts revival style and his historic design partnership with Berkeley’s Chez Panisse, Goines’ hand-crafted posters are held in permanent collections worldwide, including the MoMA and the Smithsonian.

Titled “Messiah”, this poster (designated Goines #79) was designed and printed at his own Saint Hieronymus Press in Berkeley, California. It was created to promote a winter screening of the legendary 1927 silent epic The King of Kings. True to Goines’ meticulous standards, the design features a striking classical landscape, a geometric vertical rainbow, a hidden dove motif, and his signature bold, integrated typography.

Masterful Print Production
Unlike cheap modern reproductions with dot-matrix patterns, this authentic vintage original was printed as a solid-tone photo-offset lithograph using 13 specially mixed colors. This means the heavy poster stock passed through the press 13 separate times to achieve its rich, velvety ink density. The piece features the crisp, genuine blind-embossed artist mark: “David Lance Goines 1978” at the bottom. A brilliant crossover collectible combining fine art typography, cinema history, and 70s California design culture.

Specifications
Artist / Printmaker: David Lance Goines (Saint Hieronymus Press, Berkeley)

Title: Messiah (Poster #79)

Year: 1978 (Vintage Original)

Commissioned By: Pacific Film Archive / University of California Art Museum

Subject: Promotion for Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings (1927)

Medium: 13-color solid-tone photo-offset lithograph

Dimensions: 16 × 24 inches (Approx. 40.6 × 61 cm)

Shipping: Free UK Shipping via Tracked 48 (Dispatched same/next day in protective rolling tube)

Condition Report
This 48-year-old poster is in good vintage condition and has been stored flat. Reflecting its age and authentic history, the paper stock shows some age-related foxing (spotting), standard storage edge wear, and minor corner handling marks. It has never been framed, retains strong ink coloration, and will display magnificently once matted and framed. Please study the photos closely for a detailed look at the paper texture and margins.