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[Jaws]

Hi there, everyone,

I'm new to the hobby of poster collecting and displaying and have a few questions. If this is the wrong place for these questions, feel free to tell me to go strait to hell...or another forum.

Also, sorry if these questions are addressed elswhere (I'm sure they are); I haven't done much reasearch yet (I will, though)...again, you can tell me where to go.

1. I don't have any originals yet, but I have two reprints, one signed by the director, and I'd like to get them up as soon as possible in a home theater area and not wait 'til I get vintage ones. What's the best way to frame them? A local framer said he would dry-mount them for me.

I'd like to treat the signed one as a keeper, as I would a vintage one.

And if I want to swap out the other reprint with a vintage replacement eventually, is there a display option--frame and glass that you would recommend for that? (I don't want to throw away money on a frame, etc. I'm not going to use again.)

2. How should I frame/display a vintage poster?

3. Out of curiosity, because I'm new to this: what is considered a vintage/original poster...one that is from the first printing?...ones that were displayed in theaters? And what about new releases...what's considered an original and not a replacement?

4. What are some good places to get vintage posters?

This looks like a great site you've got here. Thanks for any help.

[kovacs01]

1. dry mounting is bad. if the framer dry mounts it, it has lost any value it might have had as a collectible. and if the framer suggested it, then id go to another framer, because he doesnt know much about collectible paper.

2. search for snap frames on google. they allow you to switch out posters.

3. the concensus method for displaying vintage posters is in the frame of your choice with some kind of UV filtered glass or plexiglass (most people use plexi). Plexi glass wont trap moisture as much and is lighter. There is also a case made that ink can transfer to glass in the long term. However, plexi is more expensive and scratches more easily. Either way, get UV filtered, and ensure that it is not touching the glass. This can be accumplished fairly simply with a few spacers between the paper and whatever you use. Also, if you are in a humid climate, I would recommend putting a few silica beads inside the frame assembly to help prevent any kind of moisture rippling.

4. an original poster is (by most collectors) considered to be one that was printed for display in a theater. that can be from the first printing, or it could be from a film's rerelease. most collectors consider rerelease posters to be originals as well, and they can usually be had for much cheaper than their first run counterparts. They will be 27x40 or 27x41 (or very close to those) depending on the age for US posters. Those sizes are for one sheets only. Any other size, with very few exceptions, and you are looking at either a straight out bootleg or a commercial print that is not considered an original film poster. There are other sizes such as half sheets, bus shelters, 40x60, 3 sheets, etc. www.learnaboutmovieposters.com is a great place to get info on sizing.

5. The links and sponsors on this page are a great place to start your search for posters. Also, check the good sellers thread in here. It will give you some of the good ones, and a few to avoid as well.

Welcome to the forum. I hope I answered your questions, and best of luck in this fun, but sometimes frustrating hobby.

Schan

[Supraman079]

Good job Schan - very thorough explanation.

Here is a website you can check out as well.

Conservation Framing

[fallenangel1]

AS stated Schan has cover the basics rather well and Supra gave you a great link to hollywoodposterframes.com .. Which I feel a great source for frames !!

One question that I feel wasnt really hit upon .. It was sort of implied and not directly asked .. If you plan on framing your reprints .. Just know that those frames will most likley not be usable for any original pieces because of the size differences .. Unless you didnt get commercial reprints which are typically 24"x36" but you got fakes.. which can be similar in size to originals .. It gets rather tricky .. But you will want to watch out for sizes.. and correctly measure each poster you plan to frame to ensure you get the proper size frame ..

[Jaws]

thanks for the fantastic information schan

thanks for the frame site, supraman

and thanks for that tip on frame size, fallen angel. i think both the reprints are about 27 x 41, but i guess i will have to watch that.

one point that i'm not clear on, though, and forgive me for being new to this, is:

how do you attach the actual poster to the frame? do you add a backing, or attach it to the back of the frame somehow?

hopefully i'll work up my knowledge in this and be able to eventually have intelligent conversations with everyone!

And Happy Fourth, everybody. Have a great holiday.

This post has been edited by Jaws: 03 July 2009 - 4:08 PM

[Jaws]

i checked out hollywoodposterframes.com. very nice and informative.

so, if i got the archival frame, e.g., from that site (which includes the acid-free backing), would that be all i needed to frame a poster, be it vintage or reprint? is the poster just held in place with pressure?

or is there any reason to take a vintage poster to an actual framer instead of doing it yourself.

also, i was going to get anti-glare. any suggestions against doing that?

thanks again.

This post has been edited by Jaws: 03 July 2009 - 5:47 PM

[fallenangel1]

Archival is good for anything but a little pricey for a commercial print or fake poster and yes the poster is held in place by the pressure of the backing holding it against the plexi.

Id say doing the framing yourself is the way to go. Not only are you saving a lot of $$ but you know exactly whats going on in the process. There may be an occasion you drop a poster off to be framed and an employee does the work and could ruin it by dry mounting/taping/trimming whatever.


As for non-glare id suggest that above all if its in your price range.

[Supraman079]

Jaws, on 03 July 2009 - 12:45 PM, said:

so, if i got the archival frame, e.g., from that site (which includes the acid-free backing), would that be all i needed to frame a poster, be it vintage or reprint? is the poster just held in place with pressure?

yes this is all you will need. One side will be the acid free backing an the other side of the poster will be the plexi. It is fine for the poster to touch plexi and the backing. The actual frame will hold the two pieces together with the poster in the middle.

Jaws, on 03 July 2009 - 12:45 PM, said:

or is there any reason to take a vintage poster to an actual framer instead of doing it yourself.

personal preference really. But as mentioned before, beware of framers who know how to frame but know nothing about keeping the value of the collectable.

Jaws, on 03 July 2009 - 12:45 PM, said:

also, i was going to get anti-glare. any suggestions against doing that?

Once again it is personal preference. If I was you I would call Sue at hollywoodposterframes and discuss all your concerns. She will be more than happy to explain to you any concerns you have. The number should be on the website.

Here is another site you can check out but I would do my own research before buying from anyone so that you can fully address all your needs with your purchase. Poster Frames and Snap Frames

Also, just another tip: be careful with wood frames. There have been some cases with wood frames staining the edges of posters due to the tree sap seeping out overtime into the poster. Not usual but can happen. I have a picture of this but I can't find it on my harddrive due to the fact that I have WAY too many pictures to go through that aren't all labeled. I stick to metal frames to keep this from happening as most people do. I would hate to have this happen on a poster that is in great condition and survived from the 60's, 50's or before.

Hope this helps and I'm sure there are other members who can add to what has been posted so far. Plus you can alway do a search on the forum for other similar topics in "Framing" or "Lightboxes" when you get to that point. Happy poster hunting!

Chad