Movie Poster Collecting

There is a great deal of history behind movieeditions, and special releases that are released in
posters and movie poster collecting. Jules Cheret,limited quantities and are gaining favor with the
who created 2 movie posters in the 1890's, wastheatre art collector. Other types of movie
the artist given credit for creating the first movieposters include advance posters that promote a
posters. By the end of the first decade of themovie well ahead of the movie's release. The
1900's, movies had become a great source ofaward poster, which indicates that a movie has
public entertainment. In this time period, the moviewon an Academy award. The combo poster,
poster would become a standard size known asadvertising two movies instead of just one. The
the one sheet measuring 27" x 41".popular double-sided poster that has art on both
In the early days, the names of actors did notsides, with the artwork reversed on one side of
appear on the posters, which the movie studiosthe poster. There are featurette posters
liked, because it meant paying actors less money.highlighting short films or cartoons, review posters
It was in this early period in movie history,for when a movie gets a good review, serial
however, that movie studios realized movie starsposters for movie serials, and special distribution
were as much of an attraction to the moviegoerposters.
as the movie itself. Thus, the movie star wasWith the popularity of movie posters has come
born, and movie posters began showcasingthe necessity to create various sizes of posters.
actors' names along with the title of the movie.The first and most widely used poster is the one
By the 1920's, the golden age of silent movies,sheet, which is usually 27" x 41". The subway, also
movie posters became more artistic andknown as the two sheet, is larger but not exactly
spectacular, with accomplished artists being hiredtwo times the size of the one sheet. The 3 sheet
by movie studios to paint portraits of the starsis three times the size of the one sheet
for posters. By the late 1920's, movie postermeasuring at 41" x 81". The 6 sheet is six times
images became sharper due to a new printingthe size of the one sheet measuring of 81" x 81".
process developed by the Morgan Litho Company.There is also a 12 sheet approximately twelve
In the 1930's, also known in the movie industry astimes the size of a one sheet, and the colossal
"The Golden Age of Movies", another style ofsized 24 sheet measuring 246" x by 108". Other
movie poster was created, the half sheet. Majorsizes include the mini sheet, which is usually much
movies would sometimes get more than the twosmaller than the one sheet and comes in a
styles. However, due to the depression, manyvariety of sizes, and the stock sheet issued for
movie materials were being created morecartoons or other shorts.
cheaply, causing a loss of quality in movie posters.As with all collectibles, condition is a great factor
The dawn of World War II in 1941 saw many ofwhen placing a value on posters. A movie poster's
the movie stars heading off to war and war wasvalue is determined by demand, rarity, and
the major theme of movies at that time. Thecondition. Poster collectors use the same grade
movie industry cut advertising costs and usedsystem used by comic book collectors: mint
cheaper paper for posters due to the paper(perfect), near mint, very good, good, fair, and
shortage of wartime.poor.
By the 1970's, movie posters used photography,For those who want to be serious movie poster
occasionally using drawing and painting styles.collectors, you will need to know some things
Movie posters at this time were being printed onabout taking care of your movie poster art.
a clay-coated paper, which gave them a glossyTips to retain the total collectable value of movie
finish. Star Wars and Star Trek posters were theposters
most popular posters of the time and are stillNever alter the appearance of a poster. Do not
collected by many today.fold, bend, tear, or punch holes in it even to hang
In the 1980's, the age of the special effectsit on your wall.
blockbuster, the mini sheet was invented, andNever place a movie poster in direct sunlight. UV
video stores became popular, thus the videolights can also be harmful.
store poster was created. Today, reprints ofDon't write on your poster, even on the back.
movie posters are mass-produced and sold inMarks on the back can sometimes be seen from
many stores or are just a click away on thethe other side, taking away from the poster's
Internet.There are several types of movievalue.
posters. Because of their rarity, the avid movieNever put tape on the front of a poster even to
poster collector has concentrated on movierepair tears. If you do use tape, use acid free
poster or theater art. These are the posters thattape available from an art supply shop, and place
are delivered and displayed by the movie theatersthe tape on the back. For expensive movie art
and then intended to be thrown away. Anothertake it to a professional to be restored. Posters
type of movie poster is the commercial poster,can be restored the same way rare comic books
which is mass-produced for direct sale to theare professionally restored.
public. Video posters are distributed to video rentalWhen shipping posters use thick poster tubes or
stores for advertising material. Cable and TVbubble envelopes.
posters are use as promotional material for TVFor long time storage, frame, or place the poster
stations for their programming. Like theater art,in a plastic bag or tube, and keep it in a cool dry
video posters and cable and TV posters are notclimate.
produced for the public. Although not as valuableWhen framing a poster do not dry mount it, and
as theater art, these types of posters are stilluse an acid free backing board.
popular among collectors. Special promotionNow that you know a little more about movie
posters promote a movie along with a product.posters and movie poster collecting, go ahead,
Finally, there are anniversary issues, limitedstart collecting!