When the Biograph Theatre was converted to a twin cinema in the late summer of 1974, I assembled a collage in the hallway from the lobby to the larger auditorium, No. 1. It was a project I assigned to myself, as I was the manager of the place at the time.

That collage — made up mostly from publicity materials and memorabilia for feature films, photos from magazines, etc. — was about 12 feet high, it was some 30 feet long. Taking on that large a space was fun. In 1982, for what was the Biograph’s 10th anniversary it was reworked, this time with the help of the staff.

Then, in 1985, a couple of years after I left what was surely the best job I ever had, I used up several boxes of old movie memorabilia, photos of the staff, images from handbills, and such — stuff I had saved for years — to make the collage shown above. (For those who remember its forerunner in the hallway at the theater, maybe you can see the resemblance.)

Naturally, I named the then-new piece “The Biograph.”

It was one of three large collages on plywood panels I did that same year. By the way, the 16 mm reel can be switched on so it turns by a little electric motor behind the panel on which the paper, paint, etc., were placed. The entire piece was glued together and covered with Roplex, making it quite resistant to damage. Framed with black two-by-fours, it is an extremely sturdy package. The art inside the frame is five feet wide and stands four feet tall.

“The Biograph” showed in couple of gallery settings in the late-‘80s and early-’90s. No one else has seen it in about 15 years. Now, in a time in which I need to put some money together and clear some space, for the first time it is up for sale. Sitting in storage it isn’t doing anybody any good.

To move it fast, just $1,200 will make you the owner of this unique piece — the perfect souvenir of Richmond’s storied repertory cinema, the Biograph Theatre (1972-87).

To see an enlargement of the art click here. Inquires should be sent by email (ftrea9@yahoo.com), or call (804) 359-4864.