Woodstock "Style C" US 1S (2017 rehash/update)
This is the toughest/most controversial authentication I ever attempted. The authentication is here:
http://moviepostercollectors.guide/MPC_Authentication_Woodstock_Style_C.htmlThe basic story - as you'll learn if you read this thread and the authentication - is that I bought this rolled poster and it appeared to be a stone-cold 1970s original - with perfect artwork, perfect tiny union 1970s logo, serial number on back, exactly 27"x41":
The "c" inexplicably was handwritten:
I interviewed the original source of these posters (this thread contains more details on my interviews):
Brian P., a former usher and theater manager, says that he and his father worked together in a theater in Lima Ohio. His theater received over a thousand Woodstock Style Cs. Brian can’t recall the exact date but believes it was in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Apparently, these were supposed to be distributed to other theaters in the same chain but never were. The posters were supposed to be given away to patrons but no one took them. The theater manager told his father to throw them away but the father kept them and Brian later inherited them. Brian says he has been giving copies of these away for years. Brian moved to Nashville and has been a theater manager and union stage hand. Three years ago he sold 400 of the “best copies” to a Nashville collector, who resold them to various movie posters dealers. Brian says he still has 700 of these posters.I interviewed two reputable dealers who had purchased stock from Brian. They were convinced the posters were original and that Brian's story was true. They had actually seen the original source rolls.
I took a "long-shot in the dark and searched the 'net for more info. Remarkably, I found an ad from the May 23, 1972 version of the Lima Ohio newspaper proving that local theaters in Lima were giving away original Woodstock posters:
Based on all the foregoing, I was convinced the "Style C" posters were 1970s originals.
But along came a spider.
In September 2011, MPGrading.com reported that the "Style C" suspected bootleg was printed on paper used beginning in the late 1980s. Accordingly, it was "most likely a bootleg or a commercial poster."
Table 1. Fiber Identification of B-Style
Softwood bleached kraft – Hard Pine (Except Red & Scotch)
Hardwood bleached kraft – Redgum, Sycamore, Yellow-poplar, Blackgum, Maple
Coating flakes are yellowish
Appears to be a Southern Mix
Spot test implies this sample is most consistent with paper from before the late 1980’s.
Table 2. Fiber Identification of C-Style
Softwood bleached kraft – [Spruce and/or Hemlock], Hard Pine (Except Red & Scotch)
Hardwood bleached kraft – Populus spp., Birch
Hardwood bleached sulfite – Populus spp.
Coating flakes are yellowish
Appears to be a Northern Mix
Spot test implies this sample is most consistent with paper from the late 1980’s and after.*****
As reported on NS4 in 2011: "Here is a side by side visual comparison to show there is absolutely color differences in the two posters. Under a loop there is nothing detectible. However, the ink used in the style C is very different especially when we placed both posters on a light table. The Colors of the style B stay bold, but when the style C is placed the the light table the colors wash out almost completely. Picture of the light table colors will also be posted shortly."
In that thread I pointed out the LPIU logo only was used from 1972-1974 and in 2005 Ha.com had sold a machine-folded Style C (with handwritten C), indicating the Style C posters were also distributed to theaters for lobby use.
So that's where I left it when I exited the hobby in 2014.
*****
In 2017 it appears that MPgrading is out of business. I remain convinced that the Style C posters are 1970 originals based on all the evidence. I note that
at least one current seller on eBay is selling another folded Style C:
*****
So what do y'all think?
