Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the posters?
Poster Size Guide
US Posters
FRONT OF HOUSE CARD (FOH)
10”x8”
LOBBY CARD
11 x 14" printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22" printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970's.
MINI POSTER
12 x 16"
HALF SHEET
22 x 28" printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36" printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60" printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41" printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass "marquee" case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980's most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27" by 40" and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THE US SUBWAY OR 2-SHEET
Usually 41" x 54" approx. - The subway also known as the two sheet is larger but not exactly two times the size of the US one sheet.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81" printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970's on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as "international" versions to be used abroad.
6-SHEET
Usually 81" x 81" approx. The 6 sheet is six times the size of the US one sheet.
BRITISH Posters
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40" Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH HALF SHEET
Measure approx. 22"x28" just like the American half sheet and uses the same format. Can be rolled or folded and not as common as the British Quad.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40", printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
BRITISH DOUBLE CROWN
Measure approx. 20"x30".
BRITISH FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) STILLS
Measure approx. 8"x10".
ITALIAN Posters
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28" six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26" Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
ITALIAN DOUBLE PHOTOBUSTA
Measure 28"x40" until the late 50's when the size changed to 40"x48".
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
39 x 55" This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO (QUATTRO)
55 x 79" Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
ITALIAN ONE SHEET
Measure approx. 28"x39". Almost always issued folded. Also known as Foglio.
ITALIAN TWO SHEET
Measure approx. 39"x55". Almost always issued folded. The most common type of Italian movie poster. Also known as 2-Fogli. The standard Italian movie poster.
ITALIAN FOUR SHEET
Measure approx. 55"x78". Almost always issued folded. Also known as 4-Fogli. This size poster always makes a statement and dominates a room.
FRENCH Posters
FRENCH
47 x 63" (GRANDE) or 24 x 33" (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian's some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
FRENCH TWO PANEL
Measure approx. 63"x94". Almost always issued folded.
AUSTRALIAN DAYBILL
Measure approx. 13" x 30". Issued folded in 3. Daybills are a perfect size for framing.
Are these posters originals as issued to cinemas?
Yes.
Are they all unused?
No some are used some are not. The condition is available in the description, but any further questions on the condition of posters are always welcome. Please read the following about the Condition rating system:
Poster Grading
All Posters are graded using the scale below
Universal 10-Point Movie Poster Grading Scale
by Jon Warren
C10 - MINT - Investment Quality.
Item is "as new" or in the same condition as the day it was made. The item may or may not literally be in "perfect" condition, but it does exhibit an amazing state of preservation with virtually no perceptible flaws of any kind, other than very minor flaws that may have occurred during the printing process. Printing registration should be perfect. In many cases, an otherwise "mint" poster may have printing flaws in the registration, or alignment, of colors causing one color to stand slightly offset from the others. The folding/trimming process should not have resulted in any damage to the item of any kind. Sometimes a poster may have slight fold lines that occurred when the poster was put through the folding machine. If the fold line broke the ink, causing a faint white line, the item should not be grated C10. No edge fraying or dents/impressions are allows in this grade.
C9 - NEAR MINT - Investment Quality.
Superb. Unused or very carefully used, but with some minor storage defect, minor tear, one pinhole in each corner or some other very minor flaw on an otherwise unused poster. Item may be in "never-used" condition or may have been used in the theatre, but was carefully preserved after use. One tiny pinhole in each corner from being displayed is allowable in this grade. Slightly offset color registration is allowable in this grade. Very slight compression marks (indentations) from move theatre use (i.e. Clamped in a display) are allowable in this grade. No edge fraying. One Sheets, which were normally quarter-folded until recent times, may have very slight fold wear, if such wear does not significantly affect the eye appeal of the image. Folds haven't damaged print.
C8 – EXCELLENT - Investment Quality.
Commonly referred to as Condition A or Very Fine. Item may be in "never-used" condition or may have been used in the theater, but was carefully preserved after use. If a C9 is almost like new, then a C8 is not far behind a C9. An above-average poster exhibiting minimal signs of use. Bright and clean. 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 normal/minor creases on one sheets and larger posters is to be expected. A handful of 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 signs of wear and use, such as folds or creases (except on lobby cards), possibly a minor border tear, or pinholes in the border. Not soiled; clean and bright. No frontal tape repairs are allowed in this grade, but possibly one very minor tape repair to the back of the piece. Window cards may have written or printed banners. The image area of the poster should be undamaged. Poster should be bright, supple, and clean. May exhibit more fold wear than a C9, but without significant color loss in the fold areas. A slight amount of color loss is acceptable in this grade, but if the fold wear is such that a heavy solid white line results from loss of color due to wear, then the item would not qualify for a C8 rating. No edge wrinkling or fraying is allowed in this grade. No tape is allowed in this grade. No writing on the front of the poster is allowed in this grade, however, writing on the back of the poster that DOES NOT BLEED THROUGH is acceptable in this grade. Minor tears are allowed in this grade, but they should be MINOR, meaning less than 1" in length, and not more than two total tears on the item. Common areas for tears on posters are at the folds, especially the interior folds where the item may have been unfolded and then refolded. This kind of minor paper
separation (tear) is common and is allowable in a C8 grade notwithstanding other extenuating circumstances. Should the item have minor paper loss, such as a small piece missing from a corner or interior fold, it should not be given a C8 rating. A corner crease (1/2" or less) or two can be present, but numerous creases affecting the image are not allowed in this grade.
C7 - VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT
Often referred to as Fine condition. Still a very nicely preserved item. Typically, an item in this grade is almost a C8, but one or two unsightly flaws, or heavier than normal fold wear or pinholes, or one small piece of tape on a corner, cause the item to be assigned the C7 designation rather than C8. Heavy damp stains eliminate the item from this grade. However, a minor damp stain on an unobtrusive part of the poster could be allowed. A window card with the top 4 inch blank area trimmed away should not be rated higher than C7, even if in otherwise C9 condition.
C6 - VERY GOOD
Often referred to as "Very Good" condition or "Condition B." The typical used poster in average condition. A sound example, although with wear and defects to be expected of an item that was intended to be used and re-used. Unusual problems should be described. The poster 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 area should be good. Minor soiling could be present. Larger posters could have minor fold tears (length of which should be described); also normal folds, creases, minor fold tears, possible repaired tear (from the back). Professional major restoration is acceptable in this grade. The poster should be complete and if not, major problems should be described (such as paper replacement). In every case, paper replacement and major color touchup and restoration should be described in
detail. Tape anywhere on the poster should be mentioned and described. Small pen markings on the front can be present if noted, but not if large, heavy, or if affecting the eye appeal of the image. 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. Amateur color touchup with colored markers is allowable in this grade. Common flaws that relegate an item to this grade include heavy fold wear, unusually large number of pinholes or staple holes, taped corners or fold lines reinforced with tape, minor tears, possibly minor paper loss (pieces missing) from the edges, edge fraying and so on. Because posters were so often used and reused, the C6 grade is common.
C5 - GOOD to VERY GOOD
A heavily-worn item, showing significant signs of use such as multiple pinholes or staple holes, tape, tears, soiling, pieces missing, small markings or pen/pencil marks. Although this is an "in-between" grade and difficult to distinguish from a C6, items are relegated to this lower classification when there is a greater number of general flaws than would normally be expected in the higher grade, or when one major flaw makes the C6 grade unacceptable.
C4 - GOOD
Below average but still suitable for display. Heavily used, with significant signs of use that affect the overall eye appeal of the piece. Small pieces may be missing from the borders (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.
C3 - FAIR
Often referred to as Fair condition, or Condition D. Heavily worn, but yet still complete.
C2 - POOR to FAIR
An extremely worn, possibly even incomplete item.
C1 - POOR
The lowest grade, representing items in the lowest possible condition. Heavily damaged, possibly missing large pieces, possibly brittle and crumbling. Except for valuable rarities, items in this grade have little or no value.
Is the poster in the picture the one I will get?
Yes, but depending on the poster you require it will be sent folded or rolled, as we have duplicates of many posters, but they are all originals.
How will the posters be sent out?
The posters are sent out rolled in tubes or folded or flat in purpose made and designed cardboard envelopes, which are strong, durable and acid free.
Can I pick up and view in person?
Yes we welcome this and can be available to help you choose the posters you want and are available evenings and weekends for appointments.
Do you buy posters from members of the public?
Yes, depending on the posters some we will be happy to take, others we may already have.
Credit can be given towards posters in stock or we can buy for cash if you’re simply wishing to sell.
Please contact us with enquiries.
Can I order posters?
Yes you can, we will do our best to search for specific posters for you.
How can I pay?
Payment can be made in most forms of payment, once the payment systems are set up.
Where are you? How do I find you?
We are located in the town of Sleaford in Lincolnshire in the East Midlands.
