Sources & Resources
for Movie Poster Collectors
presented by
LAMP
We highly recommend our LAMP Sponsors which we have marked.
Appraisals
Unlike other hobbies, there are very few poster appraisers out there that are accepted by the hobby. Most are dealers that buy and sell so they have an interest in purchasing nice pieces. We have listed only one here, because they don't buy and sell anymore and are extremely knowledgable in the hobby.
PosterAppraisal.com - Rudy Franchi is an appraiser with the Antique Roadshow and has many years experience with movie posters.
Auctions
This is a very broad and debated area and has to be broken into several categories.
In House Auctions
This is an actual location that you can go see the posters and physically bid on them.
Christie's - This auction house dates back to 1766 and is considered one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world. The London office still handles movie posters.
Heritage
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- This auction house started handling movie posters in 2002. Heritage is the
most agressive and up to date and has become the dominant In House Auction
House for movie posters. They have a Major Quarterly auction and a separate
website dedicated just to movie posters.
Julien's
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- This auction house started in 2003. Darren Julien has created a great auction
house for celebrity, music and movie memorabilia material. They have a quarterly
auction with a wide variety of great material.
Internet Auctions
Full Service Internet Auction Service
They take your posters, appraise them, photograph them, list them for sale, collect the money, do the shipping and send you a check.... In other words... they do EVERYTHING for you.
Cinemasterpieces.com
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- Dave is fast growing and works real hard to get you top dollar for your
poster.
emovieposter.com
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- Bruce Hershenson is the largest seller of movie posters - period. He has
a tremendous reputation and a loyal following. Bruce has a tremendous amount
of information on his website of all the different categories that he offers
as well as a lot of additional information to help collectors.
Heritage
-
- Heritage also has a weekly auction (which is internet only), and a separate
website dedicated just to movie posters.
Julien's
Auctions -
- Julien's has some great auctions that encompass all types
of hollywood memorabilia including posters.
Internet Auctions
These are the actual auctions where people bid. The auction services go through these to sell their consigned material. When you use these, YOU do everything... taking photos, listing, answering, collecting, and shipping. There are numerous smaller internet auctions, but we have listed the 2 primary ones that should be of interest.
eBay.com - Everyone knows eBay.. they have a tremendous amount of traffic...... but on the other hand.... they also have a tremendous amount of problems and crooks that prey on collectors. BUYER BEWARE!!
MoviePosterBid.com
- This is owned by Richard Halugua. The auction is geared
strictly for posters and associated areas. The fees are a lot less than other
online auctions.
Email Clubs
Bruce Hershenson's Email Club -
Everyone in the hobby knows Bruce. He's the largest seller of movie posters with his weekly auctions and he's published 40 books. Bruce also has his email club with almost 3000 members. It was weekly for several years but recently has moved to a little less frequent because of his schedule. http://www.emovieposter.com/mail/clubsignup.php
Forums
MoviePosterForum.com - only started a couple of years ago but has grown very fast with over 1800 members. This forum is especially suited for young collectors and collectors of newer material. They welcome all that are just starting in the hobby.
Filmfan.com - started in 1995 and has a lot more veterans of the hobby. Called MoPo in the hobby, this is an email driven forum and has about 500 members. Scott has a great website with a lot of information about all the ins and outs.
Other Publications
Here's some recommended publications that we feel are excellent resources and would be beneficial for any level of collector.
"CINEMA RETRO"
is a full color magazine devoted to classic & cult films of the ' 60s&
'70s. It's written about and by the writers, actors, producers and directors
of the era. Every issue is a Limited Edition Collector's Item!
MCW -
- has been around for many years helping collectors with articles, contacts
and posters from all levels of poster collectors. This monthly is now available
in digital format.
Price Guides
There are always pros and cons on the use of price guides. The internet has drasticallly affected values for movie posters and made them quite erratic. Like any hobby, Collectors have to remember a few points when using a price guide.
1. They are only a GUIDE to help establish an approximate value.2. Look at the condition of the poster. This can greatly affect the price3. Notice the location of the seller. Prices vary greatly from one area of the country to the other OR one country to another4. Look at the date sold. If it's over 2 years old, the price is vary unreliable unless it's a rare poster.5. Notice if the price is of a piece actually sold or a dealer asking price.
6. You have to be sure that you have the correct STYLE
With these in mind, let's divide the availability by:
Books
LAMP Dealers Market - of course, we recommend our book. Published in 2007 with 800 pages and 60,000 prices. It is soft cover and ring bound.
Movie Poster Price Almanac - This was an annual publication by John Kisch. The last publication was in 2003. It was hard cover, about 660 pages and had approx. 55,000 prices. Kisch sold his publication to Moviegoods soon after this publication. Moviegoods didn't have the knowledge or experience to continue it.
Movie Poster Prices - This is a 2 volume set published by Jon Warren released in 2004. Volume 1 covers the years 1900-1959 and boasts 21,000 prices. Volume 2 covers 1960-2004 and boasts 12,000 prices. These are soft cover and are sold separately.
Movie
Poster Sales Results -
- This is a inexpensive newspaper type book that Bruce Hershenson
started publishing in 2004. Each year Bruce puts out a new edition and has great sales on his earlier editions.
Movie
Poster Books -
- Bruce has published about 42 different movie posters books with some gorgeous
photos. For those that love seeing old posters, these are a must.
LAMP Research Books - of course, we recommend our own books. They are specialized in a variety of areas.
Internet
emovieposter.com
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- Bruce Hershenson has an excellent internet database of his personal auction
sales. This covers from 1990 to current with over 200,000 prices. There is
no charge for this - FREE
Other Internet Sources
B Movie Studios - For the last 15 years, a group headed by C. S. Lamb has been slowly buying up old B movie studios. Monogram, AIP, PRC, Republic and lots more. If you're a B-movie buff, you'll be interested in taking a look.
ClassicMovies.org - Brad Lang has been a provider of a wide variety of articles and links to movie associated topics. Worth looking through.