By Arjan den Boer - Poster Expert
Posters have been popular among history collectors for a long time. These collectors search the internet and collectors fairs for that special poster that they are looking for, but how do you know if a poster is truly valuable to your own collection? and perhaps even to other collectors? We asked Arjan den Boer, poster expert at Catawiki, for advice on which aspects of posters you need to examine as a collector or future collector to estimate their true value.
1. Age
It is very easy to say: the older the poster, the higher its value. This can be said with absolute certainty about posters from the Belle Époque (late 19th and early 20th century) and the period between the first and second world wars. Posters from this period are highly sought after collector’s items and often have high values. These periods are therefore seen as the 'Golden Age' of poster art. Over the past few years, the ‘mid-century’ posters (1950s/1960s) have also gained in popularity and value. Even though recent posters by well-known designers can yield high revenues, these are only exceptions.
Raoul Vion: Art Deco Poster (1918)
2. Printing Technique and Condition
'Real' posters are lithographs. This skilful printing technique ensures sharp lines, level planes and vibrant colours. For each colour a different ink is used. The more recent, cheaper offset printing techniques can also yield good results, but if a four colour grid is used, the result is often not as sharp as the lithograph. Even if a poster is old or special, if it is heavily foxed, folded or damaged, its value will decrease significantly. This is certainly the case when parts are missing, the poster is torn or if it contains large stains. If a poster is still fully intact, it will be deemed in mint condition or condition A. When a poster is damaged, it will be deemed condition B, and condition C if the damage is major. This may result in a decreased value of up to 50%.
3. Originality
Even though posters are mass products, of which multiple exist or have existed, we do speak of originals: the first edition of the production. Later reprints in authentic printing techniques (lithographs or screen prints) by the original printer or publisher, or by a renowned institute such as a museum, are also valued, but much less than the original posters. Cheap reproductions from a recent date, which have been mass produced, such as a digital print, don’t have any value for a collector.
Poster by Salvador Dalí
4. Designer
Although posters from unknown designers can yield high revenues, a famous designer is very important. Original posters by the French grandmaster Cassandre for instance yield thousands of euros in revenue. Apart from renowned graphic designers, posters from well-known painters and artists, e.g. Salvador Dalì or Andy Warhol, or photos from famous photographers are also popular.
Poster by Cassandre
5. Attraction
The last and most important factor is whether collectors find a poster attractive. Tastes differ and it is hard to determine what is deemed ‘beautiful’, but there are some things that can be said about it. Posters with elegant women are for instance highly sought after, but also touristic posters and ads for ships and (classic) cars. Fresh and bright colours are often more popular than gloomy monochromatic posters. Posters with a large amount of text, or only text, are worth collecting only if the typography is very special and rare.
Touristic poster: Grand Prix Monaco (1937)
Now that you know how to evaluate posters, you probably want to add posters to your collection straight away. At Catawiki, you will find a great variety of posters, evaluated by real experts. Find your greatly desired poster in our weekly poster auction. Or if you have a poster that might be worth something, become a seller at Catawiki by registering here.