Based on the information you provide (see below), we will prepare an analysis of the poster's market and replacement values and other relevant information. Once we acknowledge the receipt of the submission of your item for appraisal, we will complete your appraisal within 1 - 2 business days. If we are unable to appraise your item, we will contact you and discuss the problem at hand. Take a look at a sample of a Poster Appraisal Certificate.

What determines the value of a poster?
Rarity: Posters were not meant to last. They were produced in small editions (100 - 5000) and often printed on inexpensive paper. They were used as announcements and thus were posted to walls or billboards to attract attention. Once a poster had served its purpose, the next poster was glued right over it. As a result, few copies survived and those that did were usually saved by the printer, the client, or a museum. The rarity of an item is normally determined by its visibility (or lack thereof) in the marketplace. It is nearly impossible to determine the exact number of existing copies of a specific poster. Some posters are more commonly available than others. Auctions are often a good measuring tool as to the rarity and availability of an item.

Condition: The condition of a poster is important. We generally grade posters from (A) to (D). The higher the grade, the more desirable and valuable a poster is. Yet, a poster in (A) condition might not necessarily be worth much more than the same poster in (B+) condition. Tiny tears or creases are not always very significant. On the other hand, a poster with significant damage (C) or major restorations will be significantly less valuable than the same poster in a flawless state.

Rarity can often be more important than condition when it comes to determining value. A rare poster in poor condition might easily be more valuable than a common poster in very good condition. A collector would likely buy a rare poster in any condition than not have it at all.

Artist: A poster designed by a renowned artist generally attracts a higher price than a poster with a similar image by a lesser known designer.

Design and Subject Matter: A strong ski poster or a beautiful image of the French Rivera will have a greater appeal to the majority of the public than a poster promoting agricultural equipment or phone directories. Similarly, the strong graphic design of a train image will attract more attention than a mere text poster for the same railway company. The importance of subject matter, however, changes all the time. Travel posters are currently hot in demand; chocolate or cigarette advertisements were much more popular just a few years ago.

Economy: Values are determined by market supply and demand. Any given state of the economy will have a significant impact on the collectability and therefore the value of an item. If nobody buys posters, dealers will drop their prices and auction houses will fetch lower results. The value of a poster is directly related to this. 

Age: While w take the date / era in which a poster was made into account when determining value, in and of itself, age does not necessarily make an item rare or desirable. There are posters from the 1910s and 1920s that you can buy for $150-200 while some modern graphic designs from the 1980s can command $1000 and more.

Provenance: Many posters are well documented through past auctions as well as private and gallery sales. This is one of the best and most efficient ways of tracing the value of a poster.

Limitations
Our online appraisal (non-physical inspection) is based on the information submitted by you, the customer. Since this information is hypothetical (digital or photographic images, item description), we will not guarantee the authenticity or genuineness of the poster to be appraised, but merely offer an opinion based on the description and the images. We do offer professional appraisals (Physical Appraisal) to determine the authenticity and value of a poster artwork.Please call us at (925) 673-3343 to discuss the details of a professional Physical Appraisal.

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