1930s Movie Posters

While no one knows for sure which of the thousands of movie posters that have been produced is the rarest, certain ones have fetched high prices at auctions due to their rarity. Many are from classic horror films, such as 1931's Frankenstein, 1933's King Kong and 1934's The Black Cat. Other prized posters include those for 1933's Flying Down to Rio and 1927's Metropolis. A version of the latter sold for a record-setting $690,000 in 2005. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of movie posters.

To find old movie posters, you can attend flea markets and auctions or look at secondhand shops in your area. Some art dealers sell them and they are among the inventory of various reputable online platforms. Find a collection of vintage movie posters on 1stDibs.

To tell if a movie poster is vintage, look at it through a loupe or magnifying glass. Older posters were created through a process that applies a solid color to the paper. Reproductions are often produced by a method that uses visible pixels. The size of the poster may also be a giveaway. Research to determine the known sizes of that particular poster will help in your research. Shop a large collection of vintage movie posters from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.