By understanding the history of vintage old movie posters, we will have a better appreciation of the collectibity and value of vintage old movie posters.

Unlike the modern days when movies are mostly promoted via electronic media, since the inception of cinema in the beginning of the century, movies were advertised using movie posters with colorful and dramatic hand painted art graphics to lure movie goers to the cinemas. Old movie posters printed in that era were prefolded in the factory prior to distributing to cinemas or movie distribution centers. A factory prefolded movie poster preserved in great condition can enhance its collectibility and value as it is a true indicator of its age and originality. Some newer movie posters or reprints are rolled.

During World War II, there was a shortage of paper, people recycled old movie posters as a drive to help paper supply and vintage old movie posters became a rarity as a result. It was then after the war that people began to realise the value of old movie posters. The number of old movie poster collectors have multiplied at an alarming rate post war until today. As the the demand for old collectible movie posters grows, the prices soar. A rare original old vintage movie poster which people were using to wrap produce in the war era can now fetch for hundreds or even thousands of dollars if it is in great condition!

Of course, not all vintage old movie posters are true movie art collectibles. Putting the condition, age, rarity and graphics of the old movie posters aside, most movie art collectors believe the major factor that determines whether an old movie poster is legitimate movie art is whether the movie poster was produced with the sole purpose of advertising and promoting a movie, and not with the intention of selling to the general public. In the old days, movie posters were produced by movie studios, printed in limited quantities by a specific assigned group of lithographers, distributed to cinemas or movie distribution centers with the sole purpose of promoting the movie. The movie posters were destroyed or returned to the movie studios after the promotion of the movie was completed. Now you can understand why these collectible movie art old movie posters are so rare, collectible and valuable!

Having said all that, the collectibility and value of an old vintage movie poster is still a very subjective and personal thing. The debate of whether an old movie poster is legitimate movie art continues. The worthiness of a movie poster is as much as what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Taking good care of your movie posters will certainly enhance the value and desirability of the posters.

To read about tips on taking care of your movie posters, please click here. To read about vintge old movie poster condition ratings, please click here.