How we grade our posters
Being original and authentic posters, the grades will vary depending on the condition we acquired them. Our photos of the posters are good representations, but should you have any questions regarding any particular poster, especially the ones with a lot of black (they don't photograph easily due to reflected light!), then please contact us and we will reply with a hi-res pic by return.
EXCELLENT - stored flat, never been used, no real discernible marks or creases, no discolouring.
VERY GOOD - stored flat, may have subtle or very minor marks, little to no discolouring, edges may have the occasional mark, none of which impairs the overall look and feel.
GOOD - could be stored flat, folded or rolled, may have pin holes, slight creasing with some markings. Colours are overall good but with minor discolouring particularly if it had been framed for a long period.
FAIR - could be stored flat, folded or rolled, may have pin holes, creasing, tape marks, small tears with some scratches or indents. Colours are overall good but with possible discolouring particularly if it had been framed for a long period.
POOR - due to the age and how the poster had previously been stored, these will usually have some slight discolouring, damage to edges, some colour changes, tears and crease marks.
Common poster sizes
Sizes vary so please double-check the overall measurements before making your purchase. We advise waiting for delivery before sourcing a frame, just in case the frame crops any important detail.
FOLIO - 12.5" x 20" - 320mm x 510mm, this is the most common size particularly for West End productions
ONE SHEET - 27" x 40" - 690mm x 1020mm, a favourite portrait movie poster size with the collectors, this size increased after 1980 to 27" x 41".
DOUBLE CROWN - 20" x 30" - 508mm x 762mm
QUAD - 30" x 40" - 762mm x 1016mm, the typical landscape movie poster size in the UK.
WINDOW CARD - 14" x 22" - 355mm x 558mm, the typical USA theatre poster size
BUS BACK - 20" x 27.75" - 508mm x 756mm, printed on to vinyl and displayed on the front and backs of London double-decker buses.
OTHER SIZES - please check individual poster information for exact measurements, particularly promotional, touring, non-UK and special edition posters.
'Linen backing' explained
Most vintage movie posters were delivered folded by the studios, and over time the acid in the paper can sometimes break down the paper. The linen backing process will not only restore the structure, but will also flatten the folds to make the poster more visually appealing, and at the same time conserving and preserving the posters' value. The folds and minor defects become virtually undetectable at normal viewing distance, framing a linen-backed poster is much easier therefore cheaper than framing one without.
