Collections 3: Decades of Wilmington in Film - A Growing Collection

I moved to Wilmington, NC and set up my gallery / shop in September 2023 and instantly knew that I wanted to be a part of this community. My goal with Happiest Kid Finds is to cultivate a new generation of collector and make connections through my growing collection of vintage posters and art that I've been putting together for over twelve years with themes ranging from pop culture collectibles to historical political / propaganda. Though my focus is a period from the 1950s - 1970s, I have much earlier material as well as contemporary commercial posters, so there is definitely something for everyone.  

I think in terms of stories when I find something or have my eyes peeled for treasure. For example, making a cohesive presentation that offers a greater impact on the visitor, rather than just hanging a single piece that may simply get lost when it doesn't have much context around it. With this in mind, it was a great delight to discover that I had landed in an area with such a rich film history which fit in perfectly with my method of discovery. I immediately got to work!

The first film poster title that I already had in my collection was for Lolita. Although it is the French reissue for the 1960s version of the film, (the version that was actually filmed in Wilmington was shot in 1997 starring Jeremy Irons) I started building the collection from there. 

It's a fun process; it's an addiction to be certain, but I enjoy it very much. 

In general, I've found that collections of any kind start from a personal connection. The collector from within grows as more research is done and more curiosity is sparked. One door opens to another and another... you get the idea!

This goes for any subject matter but especially when it comes to film, there is a deeply personal connection. Whether it's to one film; a genre; or to the entire history of it, there is a palpable spark that anyone in its immediate vicinity feels; one experiences a slight shortness of breath even. So, tying this sentiment to a big part of Wilmington's history is a huge factor and motivation for me as this section of my collection grows. 

It's nice to be in an area outside of Hollywood that, since the 1980s, has appealed to the film and television industry for so many reasons: being near the coast, numerous historic buildings and sites, vast swamps and waterways , and the adaptability of the locations to fit storylines, to name a few.

I currently have posters for 13 different titles including the landmark film, Firestarter, (1984) based on the novel by Stephen King.

The assortment in the collection varies which allows for a much more interesting flavor, in my opinion. Included are international releases; there's a commercial poster; teasers and/or video releases; and as in the case of Lolita, different versions of a title. 

Take a look at the current group. If you'd like to make any contributions or have questions about what you see here, please feel free to contact me at happiestkidfinds@gmail.com  I'd love to hear from you. 

In addition, Happiest Kid Finds will be hosting a Post-Holiday Pick Me Up at the gallery on January 25th. The event will start with some trivia based on the film titles below. Get ready!!!