The Art of Star Wars, edited by Carol Titelman

The Art of Star Wars, edited by Carol Titelman. 1979 first printing softcover. 175 pages, very nice condition.

This classic book presents a range of pre-production concept art, storyboards, and publicity shots alongside Lucas's Star Wars screenplay. It has been noted as a rich record of the previsualization behind the 1977 movie that gives the reader an insight into the "possibilities that might have been" in the final production design, and that challenges the "authorial singularity and originality" that normally surrounds the works of a Hollywood auteur. It has been called the definitive work on the development of the cinematographic art of Star Wars, a body of creative works that heavily influenced later films, presenting some of the earliest concept sketches of a number of now-familiar characters of the Star Wars universe, including early impressions of the helmet of Darth Vader, the droids C-3PO and R2-D2, Imperial stormtroopers, and the alien clientele of the Mos Eisley Cantina on the planet Tatooine. The concept sketches and matte paintings of Ralph McQuarrie feature heavily, alongside sketches by Joe Johnston, set design drawings by John Barry, costume design sketches by John Mollo, storyboards by Alex Tavoularis and photographs by Bob Seidemann and John Jay.