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POSTER GRADING
MINT – Never used. Although signs of aging may be present, overall a superb piece that appears to be almost new. To receive this grade, the poster may have only the slightest traces of wear. No Pinholes, no trace of browning of brittleness may be present, very tiny amounts of wear at the border or folds. No creases of any kind is acceptable on lobby cards. Window cards may have printed theatre banners. Since it was a policy prior to ship and store posters by folding them, it is very nearly impossible to find unfolded posters prior to the 1970´s. Therefore, don´t consider a folded poster that is otherwise unused to be defective in grade.
Near Mint – Superb. Unused or very carefully used, but with minor storage defects, minor tear, one pinhole in each corner, or some other very minor flaw on an otherwise unused poster.
Excellent – An above-average poster with minimal signs of use. Bright and clear. Poster has no major defects but could have an accumulation of several minor ones, such as a small (1/8” or less) border chip. No creases on lobby cards, but minimal/minor creases on one sheets and larger posters is to be expected. A few small pinholes or border tears could be present. Aging on older pieces could be present. Paper could be slightly yellowed, but not brown. Minimal or slight restoration could be present if professionally done. There may be sighs of wear and use, such as folds or creases (except on lobby cards), possible a minor border tear, or pin-holes in the border. Not soiled; clean and bright. No frontal tape repairs allowed in this grade, but possibly tape repairs to be back of the piece. Window cards may have written or printed banners. The image area of the poster should be undamaged.
Very Good – The typical used poster in average condition. A sound example, although with wear and defects to be expected of an item that was used and re-used. Unusual problems should be described. The paper can have slight browning of paper but not brittleness or flaking: it may also have a small amount of writing in some unobtrusive portion of the poster. Minor border repair, edge tears, stains, or other signs of average use could be present. Eye appeal of the image areas should be nice. Minor soiling could be present. Larger paper could have minor fold tears (length of which should be described); also normal fold creases, minor fold tears, possible repaired tear (from the back). Professional major restoration is acceptable in this grade. A corner crease (1/2” or less) or two can be present, but numerous creases affecting the image are not allowed in this grade. The poster should be complete and if not, major problems should be described in detail. Tape anywhere in the poster should be mentioned and the eye appeal of the image. Heavy water stains eliminate the poster from this grade. However, a minor damp stain on an unobtrusive part of the poster could be allowed. Sun-fading on the poster should be described, and if significant, should prevent the example from being in this grade. Heavy insect or rodent damage is not allowable in this grade. No amateur color touchup with colored markets is allowable.
Good – Bellow average but still suitable for display. Heavily used, with significant signs of aging that affect the overall eye appeal of the piece. Small pieces may be missing from the border (should be described). Image area will usually have minor defects that may impinge upon the graphics. Could have tape, writing, or tears. Numerous pinholes and resulting tears could be present. Complete, but graphics are face-worn.
Poor – A worn, torn, damage example. Crumpled and worn corners. Tape, countless pinholes, water stains, writing, brittleness, pieces of chips missing, heavily soiled etc., to be expected in this grade. Pieces could be missing that render the example incomplete. Typically a filler-copy only.
Grading description taken from the Warren´s Movie Poster Price
Guide 1993 edition.
POSTER SIZES
One sheet (1s). 27"x 41". A poster on light paper stock.
Three Sheet (3s) 41"x 81". A large poster in twor or three sections.
Lobby Card (LC). 11"x 14". A poster printed on heavier stock featuring a scene from the film adevertised. Usually there are 8 cards to a complete lobby set, althogh sets of 10 or 12 were sometimes produced.
Lobby Card Set (SET). 11"x 14". A complete set of lobby cards usually consist of 4, 8, or 10 cards, with eight beeing the standard issue.
Mexican Lobby Cards (ML). 12 1/2" X 16 3/8". All are in Spanish
and most have the original English tittle writen in small letters below
the Spanish tittle. Mexican lobby cards don't have a release date.
ABBREVIATIONS
RL= Rolled,
FL= Folded,1-SH
(Adv) The Advance poster
(DS) Double sided poster
(SPA) In Spanish
(Int'l) International poster
(A) Style A
(B) Style B
(C) Style C
(R) Reprint Version
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