Poster Advice in Classic Horror Movie Memorabilia Forum

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Poster Advice

Author	Comment
austex23	Poster Advice	Lead	[-]
Apr 23 12 11:05 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm looking for opinions and advice about poster restoration and preservation. My wife made an amazing find at a garage sale ...an original 1939 insert for They Made me a Criminal (see below). The poster is in great shape but a friend said I should have it professionally cleaned and mounted -- that having that done will improve its value. My own inclination is that an unrestored item is preferable to a restored one, but apparently, with movie posters, this may not be the case. I know there are some very serious poster collectors on this forum and was curious what the prevailing opinion is. I don't intend keeping this poster. Although it's beautiful, I'd rather trade it or sell it and buy something I like better, so I am interested in whatever course of action will best help me realize a good price for it. I am also interested in recommendations for a reputable service to clean and back it, if that's the best way to go. Advice will be much appreciated!
frankenstein31		#1	[-]
Apr 23 12 11:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You are right in saying, un-back and unrestored posters are much more preferred. From the photo, it looks to be in reasonable condition, is it fragile at all...? if so it maybe would benefit from backing etc, but if you are only going to sell. I think leave that decision to the next owner, as you may not recoup all of your outlay from the backing costs. I'm guessing your in the U.S. So the two companies I would recommend for backing and resto, would be Studio C, or Poster mountain, if you choose to go that root. It's worth getting a figure from them, and at least you know the costs involved. Like I say, if your not planning on keeping it don't pay the costs for backing... Do you know how much you want for it in it's present condition? You can PM me off forum.
cabmangray		#2	[-]
Apr 23 12 12:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Austex, nice find! The poster you have is called an insert; it measures 14 inches across by 36 inches down. It's folded, which many inserts often are. It's also from the film's original release, which is also a plus. Judging from the photo it looks to be in nice condition with no missing corners, no bleed-through from writing on the back. I can't tell if there are any pin holes in the corners or on the poster itself. It looks like a clean attractive poster. Linen backing the poster is totally up to you. This is done to older posters to preserve them and to keep them in one piece. The linen backing process will also neutralize the acid in the paper which causes the paper to turn brown and brittle, and might possible brighten the colors on the poster as well. Since the insert you have is on thicker paper, it has lasted longer without restoration than a larger 1-sheet which is printed on cheaper newsprint type paper. Many collectors will pay a premium for a linen backed poster because it's already backed and preserved. The backers can also touch up the foldlines on the poster, making it look like it was never folded at all. I would advise you judge it by the folds in the poster. If they are really worn and ready to fall apart, I would definitely back it. Personally, if it was rolled (unfolded), I would leave it as it is. Otherwise I would get it backed. Just my 2 cents. A reliable source for backing is Poster Mountain.
austex23		#3	[-]
Apr 23 12 12:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thank you both for the replies. The poster is in nice shape ...good paper, no brittleness, and the folds are minimal. There is a tiny, closed hole, but no missing paper. I know a fair amount about posters...collected them back in the late 60s and 70s (bought and sold some very nice items back then), but the backing and restoration business is new to me -- it wasn't common in the collecting field back when I was into it. Based on your advice, I am inclined to have it backed if only to de-acidify it. As for a selling price -- if I do sell it, I will likely consign it to an auction house, since that seems the best way to realize a good price. The only one of these that has sold at auction in recent years went rather high. However, I wouldn't be averse to trading it for something I like better. Thank you again for taking the time to reply!
cabmangray		#4	[-]
Apr 23 12 1:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	No problem! I did a little searching and yours is one of the nicer posters done for it, unlike the original 1-sheet which is in bland duo-tone. No matter which restorer you use, get a rough quote first. Inserts are not generally that expensive to back, but make sure the company you choose can do everything you want them to do for the poster. Clean it, deacidify it, back it, touch-up if necessary, tell them everything you want done first. Then make your choice! Good luck!
More In The Attic		#5	[-]
Apr 24 12 8:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Looks to be in decent enough shape. I'd just slap it in a frame and leave it as is. Nice score!

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