Universal, 1982) This impressive piece of original art measures approx. 28 in. x 41 in., and is accomplished in acrylic and colored pencil on board. This classic image features an alien hand with elongated index finger reaching out to touch the hand of a child, which moviegoers would soon learn to be the loveable alien and his young friend Elliott. The blackness of space and distant stars serve as a backdrop, with a semi-hemispherical view of the Earth below. The artwork is subtly signed in block letters “Alvin”, visible in the clouds at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere. In recognition of his achievement with this piece, Alvin was awarded “Best Poster Art” in the 1983 Saturn Awards®.
To promote E.T., David A. Weitzner, President of Marketing for Universal Pictures, hired the design studio Intralink for the print campaign. Weitzner conceived the concept, although Michelangelo’s “Hand of God” painting in the Sistine Chapel admittedly inspired him. Intralink’s art director, John Alvin, under the auspices of Anthony Goldschmidt, President and C.E.O. of Intralink, executed the piece.
According to Weitzner, Goldschmidt knew of Weitzner’s deep emotional attachment to E.T. and his contribution to the development of the poster, and bestowed all rights and title to the original art during an informal presentation at his office at Universal Studios, just prior to the picture opening in the United States. David Weitzner, who had long maintained the artwork in his home, eventually gifted the artwork to his son Jason (accompanying the lot is the letter written by David Weitzner conveying ownership of the artwork to Jason).
In pristine condition and housed in a custom archival frame, this original piece of art presents a unique opportunity to own one of the most recognizable film images of the last fifty years, one that became an icon for the largest grossing film of its time.

Estimate $100,000 – $150,000