Buying movie posters can be a rewarding endeavor, connecting you to cinematic history and adding a unique aesthetic to your living space. However, navigating the world of vintage and contemporary posters requires knowledge, discernment, and a keen eye to avoid pitfalls like fakes and inflated prices.
Understanding the Landscape: Authentication, Condition, and Value
The question of how to buy movie posters boils down to understanding three crucial pillars: authentication, condition, and value. Successfully navigating these areas will allow you to build a collection that is both personally fulfilling and potentially a wise investment. Authentication ensures you’re buying a genuine original, condition impacts both its aesthetic appeal and monetary worth, and understanding value helps you avoid overpaying and identify potential bargains. Ignoring any of these elements significantly increases your risk of disappointment. It’s a market ripe with opportunity, but only for the informed collector. This guide will arm you with the knowledge you need.
Research is Your Best Friend
Before spending a single dollar, immerse yourself in the world of movie posters. Start by identifying genres, directors, or actors that particularly resonate with you. This passion will fuel your research and make the collecting process more enjoyable.
Identifying Poster Types
Understanding the different types of movie posters is crucial for accurate valuation and collecting.
- Original Release Posters: These are the most sought-after by collectors. They were printed and distributed to cinemas specifically for the film’s initial release. Look for evidence of actual cinema use, such as pinholes, folds, or slight wear. These often indicate authenticity.
- Re-Release Posters: Printed for subsequent theatrical runs or special screenings, these can still be valuable, particularly for older films. Pay close attention to copyright dates and printing information to distinguish them from original releases.
- Reproduction Posters: These are modern copies of original posters. While they can be aesthetically pleasing, they hold little to no collectible value. Identifying them requires careful inspection of paper quality, printing techniques, and copyright information.
- Advance Posters: Released before the film’s premiere, often featuring minimal artwork and a teaser message, these can be highly desirable due to their rarity.
- International Posters: Printed for release in countries outside the film’s origin, these posters often feature different artwork, titles, or language, making them uniquely collectible.
- Teaser Posters: Designed to pique interest, these posters are usually released well in advance of the film and often lack significant plot details, focusing on mood or atmosphere.
Spotting the Fakes
The proliferation of reproduction posters makes authentication paramount. Key factors to consider include:
- Paper Quality: Original posters typically used thicker, higher-quality paper than reproductions. Feel the paper and compare it to known originals if possible.
- Printing Techniques: Original posters used various printing methods, including lithography, offset lithography, and screen printing. Modern reproductions often use digital printing, which can be identified by a dot matrix pattern visible under magnification.
- Copyright Information: Carefully examine the copyright information on the poster. Discrepancies in dates, studio names, or logos can indicate a fake.
- Size and Dimensions: Original posters typically adhered to standard sizes, such as one-sheets (27×41 inches), half-sheets (22×28 inches), and lobby cards (11×14 inches). Deviations from these standards can be a red flag.
- Provenance: Always ask about the poster’s history. Reliable sellers will be able to provide information about its origin and previous ownership.
Evaluating Condition: A Detailed Examination
The condition of a movie poster significantly impacts its value. Common grading scales range from mint (near perfect) to poor (significant damage).
Understanding Grading Scales
Familiarize yourself with commonly used grading terms:
- Mint (A+): Pristine condition, virtually flawless. Extremely rare, especially for older posters.
- Near Mint (A): Minor imperfections, such as slight edge wear or tiny creases, but overall excellent condition.
- Very Fine (A-): Noticeable but minor imperfections, such as small tears or slight fading.
- Fine (B+): Moderate imperfections, such as creases, tears, or staining.
- Very Good (B): More significant imperfections, but still presentable.
- Good (C): Considerable damage, but still retains its aesthetic appeal.
- Fair (D): Significant damage and wear, only suitable for very rare or inexpensive posters.
- Poor (F): Severe damage, primarily of interest for historical or research purposes.
Recognizing Common Defects
Common defects that can impact a poster’s condition include:
- Folds: Creases caused by folding the poster for storage or shipping.
- Tears: Rips or punctures in the paper.
- Pinholes: Small holes caused by pins or tacks used to display the poster.
- Staining: Discoloration caused by water damage, mold, or other substances.
- Fading: Loss of color due to exposure to light or other environmental factors.
- Creases: Permanent bends or folds in the paper.
- Edge Wear: Damage to the edges of the poster, such as fraying or chipping.
Where to Buy: Navigating the Market
The market for movie posters is diverse, offering various avenues for acquisition. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Auctions
Reputable auction houses specializing in movie memorabilia offer a curated selection of high-quality posters. Benefits include expert authentication and detailed condition reports. Be prepared for competitive bidding and buyer’s premiums.
Online Marketplaces
Platforms like eBay, Etsy, and specialized poster websites provide a wide range of options. Exercise caution and carefully evaluate sellers’ reputations, return policies, and authentication practices.
Dealers and Galleries
Working with established dealers and galleries offers the benefit of expertise and guaranteed authenticity. These sources may be more expensive than online marketplaces, but the peace of mind is often worth the premium.
Consignment Shops and Estate Sales
These can be treasure troves for discovering hidden gems at bargain prices. However, authentication and condition assessment become your sole responsibility.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q1: What is a “one-sheet” movie poster, and why is it so common?
A: A “one-sheet” is a standard-sized movie poster measuring approximately 27×41 inches. It’s common because it was the standard size distributed to movie theaters for decades, making it the most frequently encountered type of movie poster on the market. Its ubiquity doesn’t necessarily make it inexpensive, though; rarity and condition are still key factors.
Q2: How can I tell if a poster has been linen-backed? Does linen-backing affect value?
A: Linen-backing is a conservation technique where a poster is mounted onto linen canvas to stabilize and preserve it. It’s identifiable by the visible texture of the linen on the back of the poster. Whether it affects value depends on the poster and the quality of the backing. While it can enhance structural integrity and display appeal (potentially increasing value), an poorly executed linen-backing job can detract from the original’s aesthetics and decrease value. Always inspect a linen-backed poster carefully.
Q3: Are rolled posters always more valuable than folded posters?
A: Generally, yes, rolled posters are often considered more desirable than folded posters, especially for collectors seeking pristine condition. Folds create creases and weaken the paper, potentially diminishing the poster’s value and visual appeal. However, this isn’t always a hard and fast rule. A very rare folded poster might still be worth more than a common rolled one.
Q4: What does “double-sided” mean when describing a movie poster?
A: A double-sided poster has the image printed on both sides. This printing technique became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Double-sided posters are designed to be displayed in light boxes in movie theaters, where the light shining through the back enhances the image.
Q5: Is it better to buy a poster framed or unframed?
A: It’s a matter of personal preference. Framing protects the poster from damage and enhances its display, but it can also be costly. Buying unframed allows you to choose your own framing style and potentially save money, but you need to handle the poster carefully to avoid damage.
Q6: What are lobby cards, and are they considered collectible?
A: Lobby cards are sets of small posters, typically 11×14 inches, displayed in theater lobbies to promote a film. They are definitely collectible, especially if they feature key scenes, star actors, or unique artwork. A complete set of lobby cards is usually more valuable than individual cards.
Q7: How important is the provenance of a movie poster?
A: Provenance, the history of ownership and origin of a poster, is extremely important. A well-documented provenance can significantly increase a poster’s value and authenticity, as it provides evidence of its origin and confirms its legitimacy.
Q8: What are some red flags to watch out for when buying online?
A: Red flags include: sellers with no return policy, excessively low prices, poor quality images, vague descriptions, lack of information about provenance, and negative reviews. Always do your research and buy from reputable sources.
Q9: Where can I find reliable price guides for movie posters?
A: While no single price guide is definitive, resources like Heritage Auctions archives, dealer websites, and online forums can provide insights into current market values. Remember that prices can fluctuate based on rarity, condition, and demand.
Q10: What’s the best way to store movie posters to prevent damage?
A: Store posters flat in acid-free folders or sleeves within a cool, dry, and dark environment. Avoid direct sunlight, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. If rolled, use archival-quality tubes.
Q11: How can I protect my posters from fading?
A: Display posters away from direct sunlight. Use UV-filtering glass or acrylic when framing. Rotate posters periodically to minimize exposure to light.
Q12: What are “teaser” or “advance” posters, and are they worth collecting?
A: Teaser or advance posters are released before a film’s official release, often featuring minimal artwork and a tag line. They can be quite collectible, particularly if they are rare or feature iconic imagery. Their value depends on the film’s popularity and the poster’s condition and design.