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Movie Posters

Colorful and Attention Grabbing Collectibles

Collecting Movie Posters

Star Wars

Movie posters really are attention grabbing - that is their purpose, to produce one image that convinces you to go see the movie.

Movie posters are an extremely popular item for film buffs to collect.

They can be hung on the wall, stored in a filing cabinet or used as backdrops for displays of other film collectibles such as props or toys.

Home theater buffs decorate their showing room and lobby - if their house is big enough for one, with popular movie posters.

Movie posters range in price from a few dollars to thousands, depending on the type of poster, the popularity of movie and the rarity of the item. Here is a brief guide to movie poster collecting.

Types of Movie Posters

Movie posters are categorized according to their size and use.

A one sheet is generally the most prized by collectors, since they are used in the film’s official advertising and are perfectly sized for most home displays.

Modern one sheet posters are now 27” x 40”, while prior to 1985 they were 27” x 41”.

Multiple sheets, from two sheets to 24 sheet billboards, were in common use until the mid-1980s.

King Kong

Insert posters, also known as marquee posters, are 14” x 36”.

They are inserted into sandwich boards or glass cases outside the movie theater and are prized by many collectors.

Lobby cards were sets of six or more posters that each displayed a scene from the film.

They were mostly phased out in the mid-1980s in the United States.

Window cards were 14” x 22” and were displayed in local business windows. They often featured the name of the local movie theater at the top.

Retail posters, which are sold to film fans in retail stores, are usually 24” x 36”. They are common and generally hold little collectible value.

Where to Find Movie Posters

Where you acquire your movie posters depends on the posters that you want.

You can often get official posters from your local movie theater when the film ends its run. Talk to the theater manager to determine whether the poster must be returned to the distributor or is free for the taking.

Keep in mind, however, that posters from popular movies may already promised to theater employees.

If you want posters from films that are no longer playing, you will need to contact a dealer or auction house.

Casablanca

Joining a collectors’ group online or in person can help you find a reputable dealer in your local area.

Keep in mind that movie posters can be faked relatively easily, so it is worth your time to find a dealer that you trust.

Caring for Movie Posters

It is important to take care of your posters, which can be easily damaged.

Use only acid free materials when mounting and framing your posters. Never use items such as adhesives or thumb tacks to mount your posters. Keep them away from direct sunlight or shield them under UC protective glass.

Although most posters are rolled for shipping, some are folded instead. If you acquire a folded poster, decide whether you want to unfold it to display it or leave it folded.

Folds can create weak points in the poster that are prone to tearing, so do not unfold and refold the poster more than is necessary.

Movie posters range in cost from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Poster collecting can be an exciting hobby, but it is important to use caution when buying and caring for posters. Buy only from dealers that you trust and be careful when mounting and framing your posters.

A bit of caution can ensure that your posters will be enjoyable for many years to come.

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