| Home | Collectibles | Lobby Cards |

Lobby Cards

An Older Form of Movie Advertising

Collecting Lobby Cards

If you are interested in movie memorabilia collecting, posters are likely to be high on your priority list.

Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda

However, not all movie posters are considered equal in value.

Marquee posters are more sought after than posters that were sold to the general public.

However, if you are looking for an even more unusual poster from an older film, why not consider lobby cards?

What Is a Lobby Card?

At one time, lobby cards were an exceptionally popular way of promoting a new film.

They were typically issued in sets of eight, each poster depicting a different scene from the movie. Some films had larger sets of lobby cards, often 12 but occasionally as many as 20.

Likewise, when a film faced financial difficulties, a smaller set was released.

Some films had no lobby cards at all.

A title card, as the name suggests, depicted the title of the film and was often the first poster in the display.

Robert Redford and Paul Newman

Subsequent cards showed the film’s characters in various scenes. In general, title cards are considered the most valuable, although there are numerous exceptions to this rule.

The least expensive lobby cards are so-called “dead cards.” Dead cards are those that do not feature any major stars and may depict a less-popular action scene.

These cards may sell for only a few dollars, and can help complete a full set.

Lobby cards were generally released in the United States through the mid-1980s.

They are sometimes released today in England, where they are often called Front of House cards. These posters are normally 11”x14” in size, making them perfect for collectors who wish to place them in legal-size filing cabinets.

Can I Buy a Set of Lobby Cards?

Sets are normally broken down, with each card sold separately. Consequently, accumulating a full set for a particular film is a goal of many collectors.

Nonetheless, some dealers are willing to sell a full set at a discount, especially for films that were not popular and have little interest to most collectors.

How Should I Begin My Collection?

Audrey Hepburn

Before you start buying lobby cards, it is important to choose a theme for your collection.

Some collectors focus on one film at a time, trying to complete full sets for each movie.

Others choose a star and collect all of the lobby cards that they can find for that star.

Still others focus on so-called “rookie cards,” which are cards that feature major stars in some of their earliest minor roles.

Another possibility is to choose a genre, such as horror or Westerns, and collect title cards or action cards for films in that genre.

Where Can I Find Lobby Cards?

Lobby cards can be difficult for the new collector to locate.

Joining an online collector forum is a wonderful initial resource.

Seasoned collectors can help you find a reputable dealer in your area. They can also keep you apprised of upcoming auctions and conventions, which are excellent sources for lobby cards.

If you choose to buy from an online auction site or dealer, forum members are often willing to help you decide whether a particular card is authentic and worth the price.

Collecting movie posters of any type can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby.

For many collectors, lobby cards are just the right size, design and rarity for their needs. Take your time when planning your collection and always seek the advice of more seasoned collectors, and you may find that lobby cards are right for you.

  | Top | Collectibles | Home |