Collecting information from The Motion Picture Arts Gallery

The Basics of Poster Collecting

What to collect

There are no set rules when it comes to deciding what to collect. Go with what you like. There are many people who will only purchase motion picture art by format, such as lobby cards.  Others opt to collect based on the country of origin, for example, all Italian posters.  Still yet, some collectors prefer to collect only within a particular genre or certain preferred film titles.  The combinations are limitless.  The best way is to go with your instincts.  

Ordering a poster

When you are ordering a poster, know with whom you are dealing.  Different dealers have different definitions of grading condition.  Make sure you understand what is meant by "good condition".  Ask about tears, stains, scratches, pin or staple holes, fading or 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.  (See below "Preserving Your Collection" for explanation about linen-backing process.)  Make sure  you  know the condition of the poster before it was linen-backed and how much restoration has been done to it.

Another concern is how your posters will be packed and shipped.  A poster may leave the shop in good condition, but due to negligent packing, arrives in worse condition.  It is recommended to ask about the dealer's/shop's return policy in the unfortunate event that item is damaged or turns out to be in lesser condition than you imagined.  Usual practice is to insure the package for the dollar value of the item.  When returning items, consideration should be taken as to repacking.  The best method is to use reinforced poster tubes, wrapping the posters in brown Kraft paper or plastic.  For flat items, use a couple of thick pieces of cardboard, cut slightly larger than the item itself, and packing tape around the edges.

Re-issue vs. Reproduction

Many people are confused by the difference between a reissue and a reproduction of a poster. Many movies were released subsequent to their original dates.  For instance, The Wizard of Oz was originally released in 1939, but it was re-released in '49, '51, '55, etc.  The studio produced ad campaigns for all of these releases.  All of the posters (lobby cards, etc.) are designated as "re-issues".  Oftentimes, the artwork is completely different, but interesting and valuable in its own right.  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?

Many of our favorite 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/original poster.  For instance, all 1- sheets posters before 1980 are folded, with very rare exception.  (To find out about 1-sheets, see below "Standard Poster Sizes".)  A rolled, original poster of Gone with the Wind is simply nonexistent.  Making sure the fine print is in focus is another indication of originality.  If you have any doubt about authenticity, contact a trusted dealer to give you his or her opinion. 

Preserving  your collection

Like most art mediums, certain materials require the appropriate preservation methods to insure their longevity.  One method in poster preservation is a process called "linen-backing".  This entails mounting the poster on a treated canvas material. A sheet of rice paper is 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.  For the most part, posters are usually linen-backed. 

One warning is clear:  Never dry mount posters!  Dry mounting yellows the paper and cannot be reversed.  Accordingly, it devalues the poster.  Another recommendation is to keep your collection out of direct sunlight.  If you have a large collection both in size and quantity, you may want to invest in flat file drawers.  They can be purchased in most larger art supply stores.

For display in frames, it is suggested to use UV filtered glass or Plexiglas.  Also because of changes in weather, resulting moisture and mildew from condensation can wreck havoc on paper.  Some solutions are to use a frame with "spacers" which elevate the glass or Plexiglas off the poster, or by having the poster matted professionally.  Although I can't recommend particular framing stores in your area, here is a website that might accommodate your framing needs: www.americanframe.com Otherwise seek out a reputable local framing store.

Most of all, use common sense when handling, storing and displaying your motion picture art collection.  

Standard poster sizes
Below, I've included some examples, but I can't guarantee that they are reliable representations of the actual items. They are pretty, though!

Lobby Card 
11"x 14" (28 x 36 cm) 
Also known as 'scene cards'. These cards were situated in the lobby of a theater and were originally distributed in sets of 8; they can be sold separately or in a set.

Jumbo Lobby Card 
14" x 17" (36 x 42cm)  
Usually photographic and unlike Lobby Cards, they are usually borderless.

Window Card 
14" x 22"  (36 x 56cm) 
Large white border at the top for theaters to display dates for local showings.

Mini Window Card 
8" x 14" 
Same as a window card only smaller dimensions

Insert 
14"x 36" vertical

Half Sheet 
22"x 28" horizontal

1 sheet 
27 "x 41"

Festival Films
6115 Chestnut Terrace
Shorewood, MN 55331
Phone or Fax: (952) 470-2172
Email: FesFilms@aol.com
Web address: www.fesfilms.com