Movie
Poster Collecting Basics
What should I collect?
Ordering a poster
Re-issue posters vs. Reproductions
How
do you know the difference between a reissue and reproduction?
Preserving your original
collection
Standard poster sizes
Condition and Grading
What should I collect?
When deciding which
movie poster to collect, there are no set rules.
You simply go with what you like. Many collectors only purchase motion picture art
by format, such as lobby cards. While others choose to collect based
on the film's country of origin, for example, all German posters, and some
collectors prefer to collect only within a particular genre (B movies, action
etc) or certain preferred film titles. So, follow your instincts and you
can't go wrong.
Ordering a poster:
If you are uncertain about the condition of an original movie poster
as the dealer. The definition for grading conditions will vary from dealer
to dealer. Make sure you
understand what is meant by "good condition". Ask the dealer if
the poster has any tears, stains,
scratches, pin or staple holes, fading or it it has been subject any retouches or repairs. While
mounting a poster on linen-backing is a perfectly acceptable archival process,
it can also be used to hide severe condition problems. Make sure you
know the condition of the poster before it was linen-backed and how much
restoration (if any) has been done to it.
Original one sheet movie posters can be a large investment, so the dealer's/shop's
about their return policy in
the unfortunate event that item is damaged or turns out to be in lesser
condition than you imagined. The usual practice is to insure the package
for the dollar value of the item.
Re-issue vs. Reproduction:
Many people are confused by the difference between a reissue and a
reproduction movie poster. Many movies were released subsequent to the original
dates. For example,
The Wizard of Oz
was originally released in 1939, and it
was re-issued theatrically in '49 and '55. The studio produced ad campaigns for
these releases and all of the posters, lobby, window cards etc. are designated as
"re-issues". Gone
With the Wind and
Casablanca
were also reissued theatrically at some point. Although the artwork is
oftentimes completely different, they are still interesting and valuable
collectibles. A reproduction, however, is simply a
photographic copy of an original poster and has little or no value as a
collectible.
How do you know the difference between a reissue and
reproduction?
Many movie posters are in such high demand that some companies have
reproduced them. There are many ways to tell a reproduction from a
re-issue or original poster. For instance, all 1- sheets posters before
1980 are folded, with very rare exceptions. A rolled, original poster of
Gone with the Wind is
simply nonexistent. Making sure the fine print is in focus is another indication
of an original poster.
Preserving your original collection:
Original movie posters, like most art mediums, require the appropriate
preservation methods to insure its longevity. Linen-backing is just one of
the methods used in poster preservation. This method requires mounting the poster on a treated
canvas material. A sheet of rice paper is then sandwiched between the poster and
canvas and adhered to both with an archival glue. This permits the process to
be reversed at a future time, if needed. "Paper-Backing" is a similar process,
except in lieu of canvas, the poster is mounted on thick archival paper.
However, for the most part, posters are usually linen-backed.
You must never dry mount posters. Dry mounting yellows the
paper and cannot be reversed. Once dry mounted, the poster is subsequently
devalued. Like all valuable collectibles, keep your collection out of direct sunlight.
Flat file drawers are best for storing, if you have a
large collection both in size and quantity. These can be purchased in most larger art supply stores.
When displaying your original poster in frames, make sure that you are
using UV filtered glass or Plexiglas. Also, because of changes in weather,
resulting moisture and mildew from condensation can destroy your valuable
collectibles. We suggest using either a frame with "spacers" which
elevate the glass or Plexiglas off the poster, or having the poster
professionally matted. Just make sure that you choose a reputable framing store.
3 Sheet
41"x 81" (104 x 205 cm)
6 sheet
81"x 81" (205 x 205 cm
Subway: Sizes vary
Title Card
11" x 14" (28 x 36cm) The first card of a lobby card set. It usually has a more
complete list of credits and more elaborate Graphics.
Window Card
14" x 22" (36 x 56cm) It has a large white border at the top where theatres
would display dates for local showings.
Mini Window Card
8" x 14" Same as a window card only smaller dimensions
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Lobby Card |
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Jumbo Lobby Card |
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Half Sheet |
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1 Sheet |
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Insert |
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11"x 14" (28 x 36 cm) |
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14" x 17" (36 x 42cm) |
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22"x 28" horizontal |
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27 "x 41" |
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14"x 36" vertical |
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Also known as 'scene cards'. These cards were
placed in
the lobby of the theater and were originally distributed in sets of 8; they can
either be
sold separately or in a set. |
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Usually photographic and
unlike Lobby Cards, they are usually borderless. |
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Original items; printed on card stock, usually not folded |
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Printed on paper stock. Pre-1985 posters are usually
folded; post-1985 posters are usually rolled. |
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Original items; printed on card stock, usually not folded |
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All Movie Replicas uses the 6- grade system for the condition our original
movie posters:
Near Mint:
These posters may have minor blemishes in the border only. The artwork is in
excellent condition with no blemishes whatsoever. A poster that is in near
mint condition will command slightly less than a mint condition poster.
Very Good:
These posters may have blemishes in the border and up to approximately one inch
of the poster's artwork. There may be small tears in the artwork along the fold
lines only. It may also have minor fading. Posters that are in very good
condition will command slightly less than ones that are in Near mint condition.
Good:
These posters may have tears or small holes that measure no larger than a
quarter on the outer edges of the poster's artwork. Pieces of the border may be
torn or missing; there may be mild bleed-through in the outer area of the
artwork; there may be mild fading. In general, a poster in good condition will
have minor blemishes around the border and into the outer edges of the artwork.
The major area of the artwork must be clear of any blemishes. The price of a
poster in good condition generally falls in the middle to lower end of the price
range for that title.
Fair:
These posters may have major blemishes that directly affect the artwork of the
poster. The poster is recognizable and the artwork is primarily intact. The
value of a poster in fair condition will weigh heavily on its title. If it is a
rare piece, it still may command the lower end of the poster's normal price
range. A poster poster in fair condition must be professionally restored.
Poor:
These posters will have serious blemishes or in general, in
such poor shape that even the slightest handling adds to the damage. The value
of a poster in poor condition will weigh heavily on its title. If it is a rare
piece, it still may command the lower end of the poster's normal price range. A
poster in poor condition must be professionally restored.
