OGposter: The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Poster CollectingCollecting vintage posters — and OGposters in particular — combines history, design appreciation, and the thrill of the hunt. This guide will walk you through what makes OGposters special, how to identify and authenticate them, best practices for buying and selling, caring for and restoring prints, and tips for building a focused, valuable collection.
What is an OGposter?
OGposter refers to original vintage posters printed during the era they were commissioned (not later reproductions). These may include advertising posters, movie posters, concert bills, propaganda prints, travel lithographs, and event posters spanning the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Collectors prize OGposters for their historical context, graphic design, and often-forgotten printing techniques such as lithography and letterpress.
Why collect OGposters?
- Historical value: OGposters capture cultural moments — from early cinema and jazz tours to wartime propaganda and travel promotion.
- Aesthetic appeal: Designers like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A.M. Cassandre, and Alphonse Mucha established poster art as a major visual medium; OGposters showcase original styles and color palettes.
- Investment potential: Rare, well-preserved OGposters can appreciate significantly.
- Tactile connection: Owning a printed artifact from another era creates a tangible link to the past.
Types & periods of collectible OGposters
- Belle Époque and Art Nouveau (1890s–1910s): Flourishing color lithographs and ornate designs.
- Art Deco and Interwar (1920s–1930s): Bold geometry, streamlined type, travel and commercial posters.
- Mid-century commercial and film posters (1940s–1960s): Early movie campaigns, show posters, and advertising with evolving printing methods.
- Concert and counterculture posters (1960s–1970s): Psychedelic prints, limited runs, and rock-poster ephemera.
How to identify an OGposter
- Printing techniques: Original lithographs often show a slight texture and registration marks. Letterpress may leave indented impressions.
- Paper & ink aging: Genuine OGposters show natural foxing, toning, and edge wear consistent with age.
- Typography and artwork: Study the artist’s known work and period-appropriate typefaces.
- Provenance: Labels, dealer stamps, or documented ownership history add credibility.
- Size & format: Compare to standard sizes for the poster’s region and era (for example, French affiche and American one-sheet formats).
Tip: Photocopies and digital prints often have flat color and uniform paper texture; magnification can reveal dot patterns indicating modern printing.
Authentication checklist
- Check for watermarks or manufacturer marks on the reverse.
- Look for archival dealer bills or auction records.
- Consult reference books/catalogues raisonnés for artists or film campaigns.
- Hire a professional appraiser or paper conservator for high-value pieces.
- Compare with verified examples in museum collections or auction archives.
Condition grading
Collectors typically grade posters using a scale considering tears, folds, crease severity, color loss, and restoration. Common terms:
- Mint / Near Mint: Original, with negligible wear.
- Fine / Very Good: Minor wear, small tears or fold lines; overall attractive.
- Good / Fair: Noticeable tears, staining, or fading; may require restoration.
- Poor: Extensive damage; often kept for reference rather than display.
Restoration affects value: professional conservation may stabilize a poster, but aggressive retouching can reduce collectibility.
Caring for and storing OGposters
- Store flat in acid-free folders or rolls in archival tubes (if rolled originally).
- Use acid-free backing boards and UV-filtering glass for framing.
- Maintain stable temperature and humidity (ideally ~18–22°C and 40–55% RH).
- Avoid adhesives directly on the poster; use photo corners or archival mounts.
- Handle with clean hands or cotton gloves; minimize exposure to light.
Restoration vs conservation
- Conservation stabilizes and preserves original materials (cleaning, deacidification, mending tears) and is preferred by museums.
- Restoration may include inpainting or paper replacement to improve appearance; it carries a risk of reducing authenticity and resale value if not disclosed.
Always document any conservation/restoration work.
Where to buy OGposters
- Auction houses (Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Heritage) — best for high-value pieces with provenance.
- Specialized dealers and galleries — expertise and certificates of authenticity.
- Poster fairs and shows — opportunity to inspect items in person.
- Online marketplaces (eBay, Invaluable, 1stDibs) — wider selection, but verify sellers carefully.
- Estate sales and flea markets — potential bargains but require knowledge to spot originals.
Pricing and market trends
Value depends on rarity, condition, artist, subject, and demand. Iconic film posters, early advertising by major brands, and rare limited-run concert posters command high prices. Watch auction results and dealer price lists to track trends.
Building a focused collection
- Choose a theme: artist, era, genre (film, travel, propaganda), or geographic origin.
- Start with attainable pieces to learn authentication and condition assessment.
- Keep records: provenance, purchase price, condition notes, and photographs.
- Network with other collectors, join clubs, and attend shows to expand knowledge.
Display ideas
- Rotating displays to limit light exposure.
- Group pieces by theme or color for visual impact.
- Use museum-grade framing with spacers to prevent contact with glass.
- For fragile items, high-resolution facsimiles can be displayed while originals are conserved.
Selling OGposters
- Get a professional appraisal for high-value items.
- Choose the right sales channel: auction for rare print runs, dealers for quicker private sales, online for broader reach.
- Disclose condition and any restoration. High-quality photographs and provenance increase buyer confidence.
Resources and further reading
- Reference catalogs and auction result archives for pricing history.
- Museums with poster collections (e.g., Victoria & Albert Museum, Musée de l’Affiche) for comparables.
- Books on lithography, poster artists, and restoration techniques.
- Professional conservators and appraisal organizations.
Collecting OGposters is part detective work, part art appreciation. With careful authentication, proper care, and a clear collecting focus, you can build a meaningful collection that preserves cultural history and, potentially, appreciates in value.
Leave a Reply