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Finding the Right posters for You
Add a welcome personal touch to your space and tie your distinctive interior scheme together by introducing antique and vintage posters to any and every room of your home.
In the late 19th century, following the advent of text-heavy posters printed from woodblocks for use in taverns and shop windows, hand-drawn poster art had become commonplace in regions such as France, England and the United States. Well-known illustrators were commissioned to produce decorative posters to advertise political campaigns, theatrical events, books, household goods and other items. Early poster artists used a printmaking technique called lithography, which sees drawings or paintings created on a stone (or metal) surface with an oil-based substance, such as a greasy crayon or tusche (an oily wash). The image is eventually affixed to the surface by means of a chemical reaction, and ink adheres to certain sections of the surface while non–image areas are made to repel the ink.
If you wanted a color lithograph in the early days, the number of stones prepared had to match the number of colors you commissioned for the poster. French painter Jules Chéret, widely known as the father of the modern poster, designed some of history's most popular lithographic posters that featured color. Today, Chéret’s art is highly collectible, along with original works by Czech painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha, whose posters advertising theatrical productions helped define Art Nouveau.
Over time, poster artists transitioned to more advanced techniques. Using silkscreens, woodblocks and photolithography, painters and illustrators printed larger quantities at a faster rate.
If you’ve finally tracked down that vintage movie poster, mid-century modern promotional travel poster or other work and you’re looking to find out if it is valuable, distinguishing between an original poster and a reproduction can be complicated. A professional appraiser can work with you on factors such as rarity, assessing the physical condition of your poster and authenticating your piece. For now, take care of your new acquisition because conserving posters is essential in helping them retain their value. A practical conservation method is to have the work mounted on archival, acid-free paper and thin artist’s canvas, then enclosing it in a sturdy frame. (And here is a primer on how to hang wall art, be it arranged gallery-style or otherwise.)
On 1stDibs, find all kinds of posters for your home today.
- What are Mondo posters?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Mondo posters are posters the American company Mondo produces. They typically advertise films, comics and television shows and feature a distinctive retro style. Each Mondo poster is part of a limited series of prints produced with screen printing techniques. Explore a variety of Mondo posters from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a propaganda poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Propaganda posters were designed to present the public with a concept or idea in a single image with a brief slogan. The word propaganda is defined as information that’s biased or misleading but it isn’t always that negative, sometimes propaganda is used to rally people around a cause. On 1stDibs, find vintage propaganda posters from top sellers around the world.
- What is a graphic poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A graphic poster is a printed poster that might include a range of graphic elements such as charts, illustrations or photography accompanying text. Graphic posters are great at catching the attention of passers-by and will likely help better convey your message. Shop vintage posters from top sellers and makers around the world on 1stDibs.
- What are Mucha posters?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Using lithography to create his art, Alphonse Mucha’s posters stylized Art Nouveau theatrical posters. Commissioned by Sarah Bernhardt, she had offered him a contract to create stage and clothing designs, as well as these posters, now lovingly referred to as Mucha posters. You’ll find a collection of Alphonse Mucha’s pieces from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a theatrical poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A theatrical poster is a sign or a placard advertising a show or a play. It usually advertises coming attractions and is displayed in front of the theater or the lobby. Find a collection of antique and vintage theatrical posters on 1stDibs today.
- What is a vintage poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A vintage poster is a collector’s item — it usually refers to a piece of poster art that is at least 20 years old. These posters may range from $500 to $2,000 per item and can even be more expensive depending on subject matter, artist and other attributes. Shop a wide collection of unique vintage posters on 1stDibs today.
- What is an advertising poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021An advertising poster is a visual printed work that is commonly used by small businesses as a promotional technique. The message on an advertising poster might pertain to promoting brand awareness or calling action to a new product. Find a variety of antique and vintage advertising poster designs on 1stDibs.
- What is a lithograph poster?1 AnswerInternational Fine Arts Consortium - IFAC ArtsMarch 22, 2021It's a print using an offset lithograph press. Although still used today it has been primarily replaced with digital printing.
- What is a travel poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A travel poster is a poster that highlights points of interest, depicts the mode of transportation used to get to a specific location, or features activities available at the destination. Travel posters were used by hotels, airlines, railroads, and tourism companies to graphically promote their services to the public as well as advertise travel destinations. Find a collection of antique and vintage travel posters on 1stDibs today.
- What is a WPA poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022WPA, or Work Projects Administration posters were a government program from 1936 to 1943 that supported the arts, health and educational programs. More than 2000 posters are said to exist. You can shop a collection of WPA posters from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is the rarest movie poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024While 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.
- What is Swiss style poster?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Swiss style poster is a poster created with a type of graphic design inspired by collage and contrasting texture. This style of graphic design was not created in Switzerland, but rose to popularity as designers further its development there. Shop a collection of Swiss style posters from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To identify a vintage poster, feel the texture. Authentic vintage posters will usually feel similar to a newspaper, while reprints of originals will usually be on glossy paper with a smooth surface. An experienced art dealer or certified appraiser can aid you in dating posters. Shop a range of posters from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Alphonse Mucha made his posters using a printmaking technique known as lithography. The process involves first using a greasy crayon or a black wash called tusche to draw an image onto a stone. Then, the artist treats the stone with chemicals before finally applying ink and pressing the stone against paper to produce an image. Explore a collection of Alphonse Mucha art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023The art style of antique and vintage posters varies greatly. During the first decades of the 20th century, posters reflected the Art Nouveau style. After World War II, the mid-century modern style influenced designs, and by the 1960s, Op Art and Surrealism provided inspiration for posters. Shop a selection of posters from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022James Montgomery Flagg made the WWI propaganda posters. He designed more than 45 for the U.S. government. The most well-known is I Want You for U.S. Army, which shows Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of James Montgomery Flagg art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made the famous posters for the Moulin Rouge. In December 1891, he produced more than 3,000 copies to distribute on the streets of Paris. You can find a collection of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Whether vintage posters are worth anything depends on the piece in question. The age, number of pieces produced, the maker, the subject or theme of the poster and its condition all play a role in determining the value. Because rarity and current demand also influence price, you may wish to work with a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer to determine whether a particular poster is valuable. The former is a big factor, as collectors are said to gravitate toward purchasing a rare poster even if its condition is less than mint. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of posters from some of the world's top galleries.
- How do I find old movie posters?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To 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.
- Are war posters public domain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Whether war posters are in the public domain depends on their age. If a poster is more than 95 years old, it is usually in the public domain. Shop a selection of war posters from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
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