FAQ

Original movie posters were not necessarily intended for sale, but rather as promotional materials in support of the featured movie. These original movie posters were essentially limited editions, because only certain amounts were produced in conjunction with the movie. In certain instances, and especially so with more popular older films, additional posters were only produced when the movie was rereleased. The Star Wars films are an excellent example of additional runs in association with later releases of the film.

With the exception of just a few, all of our posters were used by theaters and because of this will usually show signs of wear. At Framed Films, we believe that this normal wear and tear and the fact that these movie posters were used by the theaters make them special.   This wear along with a number of other factors ultimately determines the posters value.

While there is nothing wrong with a reproduction, we feel that a reproduction can’t take you back to that time in your life when that movie moved you. Original, vintage movie posters are truly art. Like all art, different forms (in our case, different movies) move people in different ways. I’m partial to movies from the 1980’s and 1990’s myself. Some of my absolute favorite movie posters are considered terrible movies by others and even critics in some cases. Some of our customers purchase certain titles for the sheer beauty of the poster, never having seen the movie.

When you come across an older movie poster that does not carry a NSS number, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a reproduction or fake. Studio issued posters are also considered original. These posters were produced in a different run as promotional pieces or swag for industry insiders, not necessarily for use in a theater. Some of these posters did carry the same image as the NSS issued poster, but some didn’t. Sometimes these posters are considered more rare than the NSS issued poster because of the smaller run. The most obvious difference between authentic movie posters and fakes or reproductions in usually the posters size. Standard US sizes include: 27”x41” or 27”40”, US Insert 14”x36”, US Half Sheet22”x28”, US Three Sheet 41”x81”, Lobby Card 11”14”, US Window Card 14”x22”. Occasionally, US posters are produced in slightly smaller sizes, but only half an inch or less. Common reproduction and fakes (not original, theater used movie posters) are produced to fit standard US frames and can be found in the following sizes: 24”x36”, 20”x30”, 11”x17” and anything smaller than 26.5”x39”. The sizes listed above are relevant only to US released movie posters. Original, theater used movie posters come in a variety of sizes, with the primary factor determining size being it’s country of origin.

Advance – Advance release movie posters are usually issued months prior to the actual release of the film. These are often going to have very similar artwork to the regular issue poster but carry a tag line, like “Coming Soon” or “Summer 2001”.

Teaser – Teaser posters are normally issued just prior to the movie’s release to pique interest in the movie. These posters often contain a simple image of a main character or relevant text from the movie. My personal favorites are some of the Batman Returns and Batman Forever teaser posters, containing the villains in the movie 9even though the movies weren’t that great..lol). Teaser posters can often be worth more than the regular issue poster, simply because of the image it carries.

International – Movie posters labeled as “International” were produced in the US for distribution overseas. These International posters contain similar or slightly different images and text based on the movie. They do however do not carry the “Rating” because foreign countries do not use the US’s movie rating system.

Style (A-D) – Movie studios sometime issue multiple posters for the same title. These posters contain different images and are marked Style A, Style B, Style C or Style D, to differentiate them from one another.

NSS or National Screen Service – The National Screen Service produced and distributed almost all of the movie posters associated with American titles from the late 1930’s to the mid 1980’s. At it’s height, the National Screen Service operated six printing shops strategically located throughout the Unites States. Since the mid 1980’s movies studios began producing more and more of the posters themselves and now handle 100% of the production and distribution.

More Info

http://www.moviepostercollectors.com/Authentications.html

Again, please remember that these posters were used at theaters and many contain slight imperfections. We do our best to give you an accurate description of the movie poster, as well as close up images of any imperfections.

Examples of normal imperfections and wear can include:

Writing on the back of the poster – Quite often this is done in ballpoint pen or pencil and does not show through to the front of the poster. We will most definitely make you aware of any writing that would potentially affect the displaying of your poster once framed.

Pinholes – Some posters were put up with pushpins, but these tiny holes are almost always located in the very corners of the poster and can be framed out with a matte.

Folded (One Sheet) – Prior to 1985 most original movie posters were issued to the theaters already folded. Since they were sent this way from the original printer, these folds are not considered defects, but rather serve help to authenticate the poster! The exception to this is a poster that was originally rolled (like most Mylar one sheet posters and those printed on thick card stock). Should you encounter one of these posters that have been folded, it is considered a major flaw. Also, if an originally folded one sheet contains an additional fold, put in at a later time, then this is also considered a flawed poster.

Fold Separation – Fold separation is a tear that occurs along the fold lines of a folded one sheet movie poster. This is usually considered a very MINOR flaw and more often than not, isn’t visible once the poster has been framed.

Fold Wear – Fold Wear occurs on most original folded one sheets, due to the fact that they have been opened and closed repeatedly over the years. Again, minimal wear along the fold lines is NOT considered a major flaw and is expected in older original movie posters. More severe wear, when a poster is starting to show a lot of white along the fold lines can be considered a flaw.

Foxing – Usually a minor flaw, foxing occurs over time when small brown spots appear on the poster because of metal trapped in the paper during the print process.

Snipe – Snipes are additional information that has been added to a movie poster, usually during it’s original release.  This information is quite often an amended rating or a review and is added using a small sticker, placed towards the bottom of the poster. Snipes are considered MINOR defects, unless they CANNOT be removed or are larger stickers that distracts from the actual poster’s image.

Normal Handling Wear – Handling wear is used to describe any minor wear and tear that is not considered a major flaw.  Corner pinholes and minimal fold wear would fall into the category of normal handling wear.

Tear – These can be minor or major flaws depending on the size of the tear. The most important factor when determining the severity of a tear or any damage to the poster is it’s impact on the poster’s image. If it’s not distracting it’s usually not considered a major flaw.

Crease – Creases are very common, even amongst newer posters, because even light handling can cause them. Creases are not usually considered major flaws unless they affect the poster’s image.

Wrinkling – Like creases, wrinkling is quite common. Again, unless it affects the poster’s image, it’s usually not considered a major flaw. When framed, light wrinkling is hard to notice. 

Waviness – Waviness is usually caused when a poster is rolled too tightly and left that way for extended periods of time. Unlike creases and wrinkling, waviness can be more distracting to the poster’s overall image.

Tanning – Older posters, especially those that contain lighter (white) images sometimes start to tan or brown.  The conditions that the poster have been stored in dictate the severity of this tanning.

Fading – Fading is caused by a posters exposure to direct or indirect sunlight over extended periods of time. This is almost always considered a MAJOR flaw.

Water/Moisture Damage – Water damage usually causes the poster to stain. This staining can distract from the poster’s image and is considered a major flaw, unless it can be framed out. 

Paper Loss – Paper loss is definitely considered a flaw and usually occurs close to fold lines and the edges of the poster. If the paper loss is minimal (smaller than a dime) and can be framed out it can be considered a minor flaw.

**All of these are extremely common. In fact, coming across an original movie poster in mint condition is difficult. Older, more popular titles like Blade Runner, Star Wars, Jaws, Clockwork Orange, and Apocolypse Now in mint condition should raise a red flag. I’m not saying they don’t exist, but they are expensive and should only be bought from reputable dealers.

All of the aforementioned wear can be fixed with linen backing and some restoration. Quite often, fold wear, tears, and creases can all but disappear with linen backing.

Original Movie Poster – United States

A movie poster can only be consider authentic/original if it was distributed as a promotional/marketing piece to theaters at the time of the movies original release. These posters must have been issued by the National Screen Service (NSS), by the movie studio, or by another company authorized to produce the poster by the movie studio and must have been intended for display in a movie theater showing the movie at the time of it’s release. Any movie posters that were produced specifically for sale to the general public, in stores, or online are reproductions or worse, fakes and should not be considered original. Authentic posters produced prior to the mid 1980’s were quite often, but not always folded. Authentic posters produced after that period through present day are always issued rolled. The older the movie, the more rare it is to find it’s corresponding poster. This is because the posters were produced in limited numbers. Quite often they were not meant to be saved, but rather destroyed or returned to the studio after the title’s run at the movies. Prior to the mid 1980’s posters quite often contained a NSS issued number in the lower right corner. Some did not however and studio released posters never carried this number. The presence of a NSS number doesn’t guarantee a poster’s authenticity. Quite often fakes or reprints produced with this number on popular titles to make them appear authentic.

Original Movie Poster – Foreign

Must of the information provided above (regarding original, theater used US posters) applies to foreign posters. Foreign movie posters are usually more rare than their US counterparts, because they are usually produced in much smaller quantities. This is especially true for any title prior to 2000. Newer titles, especially big budget movies (think Harry Potter, Mission Impossible, Spiderman, etc…) are printed in much larger quantities because of their release in more theaters. Older titles in good condition are extremely rare. Foreign titles aren’t faked or reprinted quite to the volume that the US titles are, but it definitely does happen.

US One Sheet (1sh) – The US one sheet movie poster is considered the “standard” US size and is widely consider to be the most collectible of the US movie posters. Prior to the mid 1980’s all US one sheets were 27”x41” and were distributed folded, with one vertical fold and three horizontal folds. Some posters were only folded three times horizontally or tri folded. Since then US one sheets are more often 27”x40”. Since the mid 1980’s US one sheets can be found in a number of sizes close the sizes listed above. The US one sheet is however always printed vertically. US one sheets are always distributed rolled these days.

US Insert – This movie poster is again always printed vertically and measures 14”x36”. Unlike the US one sheet, the US insert does not vary in size. This size is more rare than the US one sheet because of the smaller production runs. In the mid 1980’s studios stopped producing this size movie poster. 

US Half Sheet – The US half sheet is a horizontally printed poster, measuring 22”x28”. It is also usually printed on a thicker stock of paper (sometimes card stock). These are more rare than the US insert and production of this size also stopped in the mid 1980’s. 

US 30”x40” – The US 30”x40” movie poster is printed vertically and always printed on very heavy card stock paper. The NSS number is usually found on the side of this size movie poster as opposed to the bottom right corner (US one sheet). The production runs on the US 30”x40” were very small, sometimes only numbering in the hundreds. This makes the US 30”x40” one of the most rare US poster sizes.

US 40”x60” – The US 40”x60” movie poster is printed vertically and always printed on a heavier card stock. This size usually features the same images as the US one sheet (1sh) and they were always issued rolled. With print runs only in the hundreds these are very rare and desirable posters for collectors. This size is particularly difficult to find in VG to NM condition because the heavy card stock creases easily. Movie studios no longer print posters in this size.

Lobby Cards/Sets – These smaller posters are printed on card stock and usually measure 11”x14”. They are fairly rare as complete sets and are one of the few US posters printed in a horizontal format. A complete US Lobby Car Set usually consists of a Title Card (carrying the cast and title credits) and seven additional “scene” cards.

Near Mint (NM): Movie posters containing only the slightest of imperfections and wear.

Fine: Movie posters containing minimal wear, including fold lines and few pinholes. Additionally, very small tears around the edges, minor tape on the back of the poster and slight fading that does not affect the overall image are also allowed in this category of grading.

Very Good-Fine: Only slightly more worn/used than Fine but still very presentable.

Very Good: Posters graded Very Good can contain some minor fold separation, edge wear, creasing throughout the poster and minimal staining, but the main poster image is still in good viewing condition.

Good: Posters graded as Good are in slightly below average condition and can contain larger tears (larger than 1 inch), darker staining, significant paper loss (larger than a dime) and heavy creasing. This is a good category for restoration.

**The overriding consideration in the grading of a movie poster is the condition of the primary image. Edge wear (creasing and minor tears/minor paper loss) that can be framed out are not considered major issues, especially for the non-collector. The goal should be to identify posters that you LOVE and that will present well when framed.

If you can’t find the movie or right size poster for a particular movie, please let us find it for you. We source our movie posters from reputable dealers from around the world. We can almost assuredly find whatever poster you’re looking for and it usually only takes a couple of weeks. For rare movies or sizes, it can take longer, but again, we can definitely find it for you.

Please email us at support@framedfilms.com, with the movie or particular size you’re looking for and we’ll work with you to acquire one. We take these inquires very seriously, so please do NOT engage us to acquire a specific movie poster unless you intend to purchase it. We can give you a sense of the cost prior to getting the process started, so there won’t be any surprises once we’ve found it.

Special orders are not immediate and can take several weeks. We will find the poster, give you a detailed description of its condition and send you an actual picture of the poster in question. We will also give you a firm price for the poster. If all are agreeable to you, we will ask you to pay for the poster and which point we’ll acquire it. Once we’ve received the poster and confirmed it’s authenticity and condition, we will forward along to you. If for whatever reason, you are not satisfied we will issue you a credit with Framed Films. We cannot offer cash refunds on special orders.

We’ve established wonderful relationships with interior designers in several major cities, finding original, theater used movie posters that are truly works of art. An original movie poster can compliment most rooms and are particularly striking in home theaters (obviously…lol). Why spend $10,000-$100,000 on a home theater and then litter it with cheap movie poster reproductions. Let us work with you and your client to furnish their home or theater with movie posters that are beautiful, represent special times in their lives, are rare collectibles, or all of the above.

Please email us at support@framedfilms.com, with the details of the project you are working on and we will work with you to create the package you need.

We’re not claiming that any business selling posters on ebay is shady (we sell on ebay), but most that are use ebay because it affords them several layers of cover.