What is a vintage poster?

A 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.

How do I identify a vintage poster?

To 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.

How can you tell if a poster is vintage?

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.

What art style are vintage posters?

The 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.

Are vintage posters worth anything?

Whether 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 can I tell if a vintage movie poster is real?

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.

Vintage Foreign Posters

Pelican Painting

Kawase Hasui Japanese Woodblock Print

Ornithological Watercolors

Original Vintage Recruitment Poster Product Design Japan Foreign Export Industry

$1,150

H 15.16 in W 21.66 in D 0.04 in

Original Vintage Recruitment Poster Product Design Japan Foreign Export Industry

Located in London, GB

Original vintage recruitment poster featuring artwork of funnels and a crane moving a wooden crate

Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Poster Glory Of The African Army French Foreign Legion Benigni

$3,044

H 47.25 in W 31.5 in D 0.04 in

Original Vintage Poster Glory Of The African Army French Foreign Legion Benigni

Located in London, GB

Original vintage advertising poster for an Exhibition To The Glory of the African Army since 1830

Category

1950s French Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Yves BonnatOriginal poster by Yves Bonnat 3rd Foreign Press Gala - Mi-Carême, 1953

$824

H 18.9 in W 11.82 in

Original poster by Yves Bonnat 3rd Foreign Press Gala - Mi-Carême

Located in PARIS, FR

Original poster designed by Yves Bonnat in 1953 to promote the 3rd Gala of the foreign press, held

Category

1950s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

Circa 1970 Soviet propaganda poster - Political Satire Cold War, Circa 1970

$1,177

H 17.33 in W 13 in

Circa 1970 Soviet propaganda poster - Political Satire Cold War

Located in PARIS, FR

This Soviet propaganda poster from around 1970 uses dark humor and sequential storytelling to

Category

1970s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

Axelle1949 original poster by Axelle at the Hanover Export Fair, 1949

$1,766

H 33.47 in W 23.63 in

1949 original poster by Axelle at the Hanover Export Fair

Located in PARIS, FR

generate much-needed foreign currency. The poster, designed by Axelle, features a commanding figure that

Category

1940s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

EigstlerOriginal travel poster Beauty of Lake Thun Oberland Bernois Swiss region, Circa 1960

$1,059

H 40.16 in W 25.2 in

Original travel poster Beauty of Lake Thun Oberland Bernois Swiss region

Located in PARIS, FR

travel and foreign tourism, this poster would have adorned travel agency walls, train stations, and hotel

Category

1960s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Recent Sales

Foreign Affair '1948' Poster

Unavailable

H 79 in W 55 in D 0.1 in

Foreign Affair '1948' Poster

Located in London, GB

Idealistic Iowa congresswoman Phoebe Frost (Jean Arthur) touches down in post-war Berlin on a fact-finding mission about legendary cabaret singer Erika von Schlütow (Marlene Dietrich...

Category

1940s Italian Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Recruitment Poster Product Design Japan Foreign Export Industry, 1949

Unavailable

H 15.16 in W 21.66 in

Original Vintage Recruitment Poster Product Design Japan Foreign Export Industry

Located in London, GB

Original vintage recruitment poster featuring artwork of funnels and a crane moving a wooden crate

Category

1940s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Kenneth BromfieldOriginal Vintage General Post Office Poster Foreign Letter Postage Rate GPO, 1950s

Unavailable

H 0.04 in W 9.85 in D 14.57 in

Original Vintage General Post Office Poster Foreign Letter Postage Rate GPO

Located in London, GB

Original vintage advertising poster for the GPO General Post Office - 4d Minimum Foreign Letter

Category

1950s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Poster Glory Of The African Army French Foreign Legion Benigni, 1955

Unavailable

H 47.25 in W 31.5 in

Original Vintage Poster Glory Of The African Army French Foreign Legion Benigni

Located in London, GB

Original vintage advertising poster for an Exhibition To The Glory of the African Army since 1830

Category

1950s Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage General Post Office Poster Foreign Letter Postage Rate GPO

Sold

H 14.57 in W 9.85 in D 0.04 in

Original Vintage General Post Office Poster Foreign Letter Postage Rate GPO

Located in London, GB

Original vintage advertising poster for the GPO General Post Office - 4d Minimum Foreign Letter

Category

1950s British Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

Louis "Luis" Armstrong Satchmo the Great Movie Poster, 1957

Sold

H 30 in W 22.5 in D 1.25 in

Louis "Luis" Armstrong Satchmo the Great Movie Poster, 1957

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Blues." This is a foreign language movie poster which is presented using the finest archival

Category

1950s Vintage Foreign Posters

Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Vintage Ciao Manhattan Movie Poster, c. 1981

Sold

H 30 in W 20 in

Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Vintage Ciao Manhattan Movie Poster

Located in NEW YORK, NY

Early 1980's foreign theatrical poster for “Ciao Manhattan,” a semi-biographical documentary film

Category

1970s Pop Art Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Archival Paper

Dan GoadBrown Pelicans, 1984

Sold

H 30 in W 23 in

Brown Pelicans

By Dan Goad

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

. Represented throughout the United States and fifteen foreign countries his prints, posters, and original

Category

1980s Contemporary Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Watercolor

Dan GoadSnowy Egret /// Contemporary Wildlife Bird Shorebird Ornithology Animal Grass, 1985

Sold

H 29.75 in W 22.5 in

Snowy Egret /// Contemporary Wildlife Bird Shorebird Ornithology Animal Grass

By Dan Goad

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

, and a stylized flatness in his work. Represented throughout the United States and fifteen foreign

Category

1980s Contemporary Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Watercolor

"Foreign Correspondent" 1976 Japanese B2 Film Poster

Sold

H 29 in W 20 in D 1 in

"Foreign Correspondent" 1976 Japanese B2 Film Poster

Located in New York, NY

Original 1976 Japanese B2 poster for the first Japanese theatrical release of the 1940 film

Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Foreign Posters

Materials

Paper

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Vintage Foreign Posters For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of vintage foreign posters is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique vintage foreign posters was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and glass. Vintage foreign posters have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Vintage foreign posters are generally popular furniture pieces, but Art Deco, modern and mid-century modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. André Derain, Nikolai Zhukov and Maurice de Vlaminck each produced beautiful vintage foreign posters that are worth considering.

How Much are Vintage Foreign Posters?

Prices for vintage foreign posters can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, vintage foreign posters begin at $145 and can go as high as $360,000, while the average can fetch as much as $5,093.

Questions About Vintage Foreign Posters

What is a vintage poster?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
A 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.
How do I identify a vintage poster?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To 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.
How can you tell if a poster is vintage?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
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.
What art style are vintage posters?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
The 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.
Are vintage posters worth anything?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
Whether 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 can I tell if a vintage movie poster is real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.