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How can you tell if a poster is vintage?
1 Answer
To tell if a poster is vintage, first consider the paper. Due to their age, most vintage posters will show at least minor signs of wear around the edges. A poster that appears brand new could be a reproduction. Also, familiarize yourself with the type of paper used for poster printing during the time when you believe your piece may have been produced. For example, you'd expect an original poster from the early 20th century to feel like newsprint, so a glossy finish on a piece would likely indicate that it's a later reprint. Next, grab a magnifying glass and examine the image. If you can see small dots or pixels, your poster was likely produced with printers that emerged during the late 1960s. Vintage posters from the 1970s, 80s and 90s may still be authentic originals if you observe pixelation, but you wouldn't expect to see it on a piece that purported to be older. If you still feel unsure about the age of your poster, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage posters.
1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
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Shop for Posters on 1stDibs
1979 Adolphe Mouron Cassandre Normandie Vintage Poster. Print Made in Paris
Located in Turku, Finland
Adolphe Mouron (Cassandre) Normandie lithograph poster print made in Paris, France in 1979. The print shop used Cassandre's original design printed in 1935. The poster promoted the i...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Posters
Materials
Plexiglass, Paper
$1,141 Sale Price
20% Off
King Kong 1933 French Grande Style A Film Poster, Roland Coudon
Located in Bath, Somerset
One of the stand-out items of our new collection. The 1933 French Grande Style A King Kong film poster by Roland Coudon is an exceptionally rare and highly sought-after vintage collectible. Created for the movie’s first release in France, it is one of only two poster styles produced for the Grande format for that debut. What truly sets this poster apart is its unique design: instead of depicting the more familiar Empire State Building scene, Coudon’s artwork captures the dramatic sacrifice moment on Skull Island, with Kong illuminated by torches as he is introduced to the audience.
Produced as a stone lithograph, this poster is widely regarded as one of the finest images created for King Kong, skilfully conveying the intense emotions of fear and awe central to the film. Measuring approximately 46 x 62 1/2 inches, the French Grande format gives the poster a commanding visual presence that draws the eye and demands attention. Due to its extreme rarity, with very few surviving examples known to exist, this poster is an invaluable treasure for serious collectors and film historians alike.
More than just a promotional item, the French Grande Style A King Kong poster...
Category
20th Century French Posters
Materials
Linen, Paper
Alice in Wonderland 1951 US 1 Sheet Film Poster, Disney
Located in Bath, Somerset
Very rare and special country-of-origin first-year-of-release US poster for Disney's classic rabbit hole romp Alice in Wonderland. Simply charming.
This vintage movie poster is size...
Category
20th Century American Posters
Materials
Linen, Paper
Cyrk Two Growling Tigers R1979 Polish Circus Poster, Wiktor Gorka
Located in Bath, Somerset
One of our absolute favourite posters ever! Original Polish cyrk (circus) poster featuring a fabulous Two Growling Tigers design by Wiktor Gorka, one of Poland's most celebrated po...
Category
20th Century Polish Posters
Materials
Paper
The Pink Panther 1964 French Moyenne Film Poster, Clement Hurel
Located in Bath, Somerset
This original 1964 French moyenne poster for The Pink Panther showcases the distinctive artwork of Clément Hurel (1927–2008), a prolific and respected figure in French cinema and adv...
Category
20th Century French Posters
Materials
Linen, Paper
La Dolce Vita 1960 Italian 4 Foglio Film Poster, Giorgio Olivetti
Located in Bath, Somerset
One of the highlights from our new additions, the stunning first-year-of-release country-of-origin film poster for Fellini's La Dolce Vita. We adore the beautiful design by Giorgio O...
Category
20th Century Italian Posters
Materials
Linen, Paper
