Exploring the World of Vintage Posters

Whether you’re interested in purchasing a vintage poster for the home, searching for a thoughtful gift, or eager to begin a collection, we’ll dive into some useful tips to get started.

What Is An Orignal Print?

Essentially, an original vintage poster is defined as printed at the time specified and is part of the first printing run.

For example, a poster that says ‘1935’ would have been printed in that year.

Such posters are generally labelled original and typically show signs of ageing and usage.

Original vs. Reprint

Distinguishing between an original poster and a modern reprint can be done in several ways. First, original vintage posters are usually printed in specific sizes that are not widely available today.

Authentic posters have a matte finish and are produced on lightweight paper through a lithographic process, resulting in bold, solid colours that can sometimes be visible from the back.

Modern reproductions are often printed on heavier stock, making the image invisible from the reverse, and feature images of numerous tiny dots rather than solid hues.

The most recent reproductions are often derived from digital files, which can cause a loss of detail when enlarged. Look out for any blurring, especially around text edges, as original posters are always printed with precision.

Lastly, examine the ‘print details’ at the bottom of the poster, which provides information about the printer and may include the date and print run, all of which should be crisply printed.

Are Many Original Posters Left?

The majority of posters were put up only to be taken down or covered later on. Yet, some remained unissued at the time, and those are the ones that still exist today.

For instance, printers and publicity offices often kept copies as a record of their creations.

Poster designers usually received a few examples for their portfolios, while larger clients, such as railway companies, would send extra copies to schools or offer them for sale.

In the 1930s, London Transport even had a shop at St James’s station where you could buy the latest designs for the Underground.

Occasionally, vintage posters are discovered in surprising spots, like attics or under floorboards, where they have been hidden away for years.

How Many Copies of a Poster Were Printed?

Finding a straightforward answer to this question is quite challenging. Take London Transport, for instance; they took great pride in the originality of their advertising campaigns, often commissioning numerous unique designs each year, producing them in limited quantities of around 800 to 1,200 copies, with no plans for reprints.

In contrast, a large-scale distributor like Guinness would produce thousands of identical posters for a particular marketing initiative.

Additionally, certain government posters, especially those related to wartime efforts, were printed in massive quantities.

Companies with a consistent brand identity often reissue successful designs over several years.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that mass-produced posters are prevalent today.

The number of prints was determined by the intended reach, with most posters ultimately displayed on billboards.

The Art of Valuing Vintage Posters

The value of an original vintage poster is influenced by factors such as rarity, quality, desirability, and condition.

Generally, a piece created by a prominent designer, such as Edward McKnight Kauffer (1899-1954), will command a higher price than an unsigned work or one from an unknown artist.

The strength of the design also plays a crucial role, as certain themes resonate more with collectors.

With prices that can vary from a few pounds to several thousand, it’s wise to ensure that the seller is a trusted expert in posters, preferably affiliated with the International Vintage Poster Dealers Association (IVPDA), which is recognised as a leading organisation in the field.

What Sizes Are Original Posters?

In Britain, the dimensions of posters were established according to Imperial measurements.

In the USA, paper sizes differ slightly and are based on Imperial measurements, while continental Europe follows the Metric system. It can be tricky to picture how these sizes would work in a home setting.

A framed Quad Royal (40 x 50 inches) or Four Sheet poster requires significant space and delivers a powerful visual impact, even in spacious rooms.

Double Royal posters are excellent for tighter areas, and they can look fantastic when displayed in a linear or grid formation.

On the other hand, double-crown posters are perfect for smaller spaces.

Is The Print Quality Good On Old Prints?

There is exceptional quality in original posters, particularly noting the richness of colour and vibrancy.

This impressive outcome is a result of lithographic printing techniques employed by highly skilled technicians utilising state-of-the-art printing presses.

Renowned UK printers like the Baynard Press, Curwen Press, and Dangerfield were true artisans in their field, producing posters that would be regarded as fine art today.

Many notable artists from the twentieth century, such as Edward Bawden (1903-1989), collected these posters, recognising them as the finest reproductions of contemporary design available at the time.

Is There More Info About Vintage British Posters?

Key collections of British posters are preserved at the Imperial War Museum, London Transport Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Science Museum, each offering superb online access to their archives.

Additionally, the Visual Arts Data Service (VADS) and the University of Brighton Design Archives serve as excellent resources for delving deeper into the history of British posters.

Can I Purchase A Reprint?

If an original print is out of your budget, there are other options when it comes to reprints. Depending on the resolution, some poster reprints are a great alternative.

Our printing services include vintage poster printing and scanning.

We work with high-resolution digital files, which will be uploaded to our specialised Canon Pro large-format printer software.

If you have a hard copy that requires saving in a digital format, our scanning service is recommended.