I think I have a By-poster disorder.
In 1973, The Exorcist drew me back to the hobby.
In 1975, Jaws reinforced it.
I am a lifelong collector. Started as a 10-year-old, inspired by Forry Ackerman.
When I hit puberty, the ladies looked a lot better than my posters and I traded and sold a lot of classics.
In 1973, The Exorcist drew me back to the hobby.
In 1975, Jaws reinforced it.
In 1977, Star Wars sealed my doom. That year-long poster campaign was the shit.
In 2000, I joined Ebay. I would've joined sooner, but I knew what was going to happen. It was going to bleed my bank account dry.
Luckily for me and my collection, my three kids love the hobby and I think they will keep everything I leave them.
The oldest already has more posters hanging than his dad. Go figger.
I have asked them to have my One Million Years BC one sheet rolled up under my pants leg when they bury me.
It was my first and still gives me wood.
rofl1
I have kind of been through the cycle on sports cards and comics. Sports cards turned their market into a lottery to try and get chase cards and everything else being worthless, so I quit that one. Comics; the CGC joke started to turn me off on the back issue market, then the way the publishers kick out trade paperbacks completely turned me off. I still buy new comics, but havent bought a back issue in years now and I will not spend a nickel on a trade.
Posters are my remaining hobby; I don't forsee a slowdown anytime soon, but who knows...
I still havent dumped a collection though. I am in the "wait till I am gone then do as you please" boat right now.
In 1973, The Exorcist drew me back to the hobby.
In 1975, Jaws reinforced it.
In 1977, Star Wars sealed my doom. That year-long poster campaign was the shit.
In 2000, I joined Ebay. I would've joined sooner, but I knew what was going to happen. It was going to bleed my bank account dry.
The Brude! I remember when I saw your first post and collection; I had my poster clock punched 6 different ways by the time I got through it; great collection. I didn't know you were collecting in the early 70s, Ted. What movie launched your collecting and what type of paper does your son collect? Gracias.
I had a long talk with Ron Borst yesterday, who arguably owns the greatest Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror poster collection in the world. He must be in his 60s, has been collecting since his twenties, and is still going strong, still buying new Sci-Fi posters, along with lobbies, stills, press books, you name it. Since he and his wife don't have kids, he plans to leave it all to charity. And we're talking here about an $8 to $10 million collection. He invited me to come and see it at his house, which I very nicely declined. That's all I need to help me with my addiction. See someone else treasures, and one of the world's, if not THE world's best poster collection. No way.
T
He [Ron Borst] invited me to come and see it at his house, which I very nicely declined.
T
Thierry, just curious, but how does one go about having a random conversation with Ron Borst out of the blue like that?
Seriously?
Not in any way to be critical but, honestly, I'd go to significant length, including a flight, to see his average stuff, much less his more historic pieces. I understand the temptation factor, but wish you would have gone; perhaps next time.
a collection has little value if no one ever sees it.Ain't that the truth.
Bruce
I've known him for years. He owns a tiny little store on Hollywood Blvd that he mainly uses for his own collecting purposes. It's only opened 3 times a week. I recently bought something from him, so I went to pick it up yesterday and hang out with him for a while.
T
I am a lifelong collector. Started as a 10-year-old, inspired by Forry Ackerman.
When I hit puberty, the ladies looked a lot better than my posters and I traded and sold a lot of classics.
In 1973, The Exorcist drew me back to the hobby.
In 1975, Jaws reinforced it.
In 1977, Star Wars sealed my doom. That year-long poster campaign was the shit.
In 2000, I joined Ebay. I would've joined sooner, but I knew what was going to happen. It was going to bleed my bank account dry.
Luckily for me and my collection, my three kids love the hobby and I think they will keep everything I leave them.
The oldest already has more posters hanging than his dad. Go figger.
I have asked them to have my One Million Years BC one sheet rolled up under my pants leg when they bury me.
It was my first and still gives me wood. rofl1
Barbarella, of course!
If you ever get tired of what you collect, don't quit collecting, just quit collecting that type, and move to something else!
I've known him for years. He owns a tiny little store on Hollywood Blvd that he mainly uses for his own collecting purposes. It's only opened 3 times a week. I recently bought something from him, so I went to pick it up yesterday and hang out with him for a while.
T
and somehow I sense my collecting is coming to an end
Speaking of Gardening, collecting will end. When we are pushing up the Daisys.
Speaking of Gardening, collecting will end. When we are pushing up the Daisys.
Collecting does end, if only for a certain hobby. Sometimes people get bored of one hobby and transition to another. I really don't feel the collector mentality goes away, just the enjoyment of the particular hobby
i then moved onto 2000Ad comics
Brian Bolland thumbup
Yes - I stopped buying new-release Alamo prints with effect from January 1 2011. I am no longer interested in participating in the buying frenzy for each increasingly frequent release
Mark
Yes - I stopped buying new-release Alamo prints with effect from January 1 2011. I am no longer interested in participating in the buying frenzy for each increasingly frequent release and also suspect there is some sort of cartel involving some of the re-sellers on ebay. I was an early collector of these posters and have 225 different styles covering the period 2005-2010 - I need perhaps a dozen more before I consider my collection complete.
Mark
Yes - I stopped buying new-release Alamo prints with effect from January 1 2011. I am no longer interested in participating in the buying frenzy for each increasingly frequent release and also suspect there is some sort of cartel involving some of the re-sellers on ebay. I was an early collector of these posters and have 225 different styles covering the period 2005-2010 - I need perhaps a dozen more before I consider my collection complete.
Mark
Here's a philosophical statement to think about:
Aren't your memories a collection in their own right?
So it is safe to say you are a wine connoisseur, Rich?
I was for a long time, but the last 10 years not so much. I still have some great bottles to empty though.
I also have kept empty bottles for wines that were very special
I collect wines to drink them. I collect the memory of the wine.
Benny Hill was damn funny thumbup
Well I've scaled the Cliffs of Insanity: today I hit the $60,000 mark in net spending on posters and frames since I started seriously collecting in March 2009. That's chump change to a few on this board but it's most of my discretionary income. I need a new drug! I'm actually considering - gasp - going into poster hibernation and actually watching some of the films for which I own posters! Heck it would be a lot cheaper! What "drug" do y'all suggest? (Other than permanent female companionship - already working on that - bit more difficult than sniping auctions :)
1) Pack everything up
2) See how much of your $60K you recoup
3) Start all over again, using all the wisdom you gained to collect in a "better" way!
Bruce
What "drug" do y'all suggest?
Philanthropy.
Send your pre 60s horror to me, and consign the rest to Bruce. You`ll feel veeeery nice ;)
As you say Mel, watch some of those films. Nothing like a good film and a glass of wine to watch it with.... and a bit of female company to help with the wine drinking is all the better...
Or riding this:
(http://www.bacauhousemafia.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Hot_Model.jpg)
As you say Mel, watch some of those films. Nothing like a good film and a glass of wine to watch it with.... and a bit of female company to help with the wine drinking is all the better...
I find it quite amazing, really, that with all the posters I already own, my want list is getting bigger and bigger every day. What does it take to be done? 20,000 posters? 50,000? 100,000? More? I remember telling my future wife that I would collect the 80s and stop. This hobby is a mistake. An expensive mistake at that.Discipline..? reduce "want" to sensible purchasing..don't buy everything "now" (I know you`re not listening T)..hold off a bit...its that easy ;D
T
Holding off means that my want list will get bigger. Not a solution.I`ll send an e-mail off to H/wood to stop making movies..gives you a chance to at least get your 60`s collection complete..oops wait,you still got a lot of 50`s stuff to buy too.........scratch that...have you considered Poster Anon? ;)
Holding off means that my want list will get bigger. Not a solution.
Since I already own all these titles (part of the free stuff I get all the time, BTW ;)), it wouldn't do me any good. My list doesn't have titles like these. Pardon my French, but I would never spend a penny on shit like that.
And yes, Stew, there is nothing that would make me happier than Hollywood NOT printing posters anymore. I wouldn't have to get new stuff and could only concentrate on the old. Studios are ready for digital posters. They would be more than pleased to not have to print and ship 15,000 copies of each poster style they come up with. I was talking to a friend of mine who is pretty high up in distribution at Paramount and he was telling me that theater owners refuse to spend the money on digital displays. I say fuck them.
T
BTW, I wasn't complaining about what I already own or how many more posters I want to own. I was just making an observation that this hobby never seems to end and that there is always more and more to get. I'm enjoying it, I'm having fun, even if sometimes it seems a little much.
bed1
T
Ah, what the hell would we do if we didn't collect posters?
There is a life cycle to collectors. It is the same for everyone, the only issue is how gentle of a parabola it takes.
1) You discover posters and buy a few
2) You are hooked! You buy too many, and spend too much
3) You realize you can never display all you own, and you slow down buying
4) You start to sell a few items you "never look at"
Finally either
5) You get tired of it all, and sell everything
or
5) You get old and realize your kids have no interest and you sell everything
or
5) You die, and your kids sell everything
Bruce
Since I already own all these titles (part of the free stuff I get all the time, BTW ;)), it wouldn't do me any good. My list doesn't have titles like these. Pardon my French, but I would never spend a penny on shit like that.
T
It's come down to five "must haves" - everything else is optional.
- Alice in Acidland & High School Hellcats - need I explain why I need those?
- View to A Kill - the last major Bond one sheet I lack
- Help - gotta have a cool Beatles poster
- Rocky - iconic
Then I can move on to other minor life goals - wife, house, etc. :)
can I have your wife when you get bored of her?
can I have your wife when you get bored of her?
Maybe she has a secret agenda.......She does do most of the cooking... :-\
[/quote
(http://www.deanrhysmorgan.com/images/artistPrints/varona/rollover/merry-widow-poster.jpg)
;D
Or you could end up with a Wife/girlfriend like mine who actually encourages me to buy posters, and bid higher when at auctions.....Maybe she has a secret agenda.......She does do most of the cooking... :-\
There is a life cycle to collectors. It is the same for everyone, the only issue is how gentle of a parabola it takes.
1) You discover posters and buy a few
2) You are hooked! You buy too many, and spend too much
3) You realize you can never display all you own, and you slow down buying
4) You start to sell a few items you "never look at"
Finally either
5) You get tired of it all, and sell everything
or
5) You get old and realize your kids have no interest and you sell everything
or
5) You die, and your kids sell everything
Bruce
No it's public over here, I think your thinking of the U.S. with State....we don't have states...
was I right? shit wonders will never cease.
Just to be clear. If I say PUBLIC SCHOOL, I mean anyone can go free (ish)
PRIVATE means your parents are rich or rooting the priest or something.
Jay, they are only cheaper because the kidless must pay the same property taxes.
But soon, the government will likely mandate that it is unfair for some districts to have better schools than others.
We must all be made 100% equal, except our "leaders" will be more equal than the rest of us.
Bruce
We must all be made 100% equal, except our "leaders" will be more equal than the rest of us.
You are deluding yourself if you say public schools are free. They are a lot cheaper, granted, but...
1. I am in about $2k, not counting lunches for my high schooler. Various activity fees, supply fees, required "donations", bus fees, etc.
2. My property taxes were $7k on a $210k house this year. Looking at the breakdown, most went to the elementary school district, the high school district and the community college. Nearly half went to the high school.
But soon, the government will likely mandate that it is unfair for some districts to have better schools than others.
Bruce
Jay, they are only cheaper because the kidless must pay the same property taxes.
But soon, the government will likely mandate that it is unfair for some districts to have better schools than others.
We must all be made 100% equal, except our "leaders" will be more equal than the rest of us.
Bruce
Interesting...I was under the assumption Oz didn't even have schools
we have to learn how to root a platypus and how to correctly scream A DINGO GOT MY BABY, don't we?
See you didn't pay attention at all at your non-existing school - if we are talking stereotypes it should be "A Dingo ATE my baby"! ;)
Interesting...I was under the assumption Oz didn't even have schools
We don't know how to spell 8, let alone pronounce it.
Nope....now where do i put my new PSVista?
(http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx132/stewartboyle/Livinroom.jpg)
Stew
Today I hit $70,000 net spending on hobby-related purchases
add some $5,000+ posters to take my collection to the "elite" level. Is it worth it?
But the real news is that I got an email from a TV show wanting to feature my collection. If it's legit - and it appears to be - and anything comes of it, I'll let y'all know....
I couldn't stand to track mine monetarily. Would drive me insane!
Today I hit $70,000 net spending on hobby-related purchases since March 20, 2009, about $60 day/$1,800 month. 1,173 posters/prints and 80 or so high-quality frames to show for that dough.
That's either bragging O0 or a cry for help (http://www.posternirvana.com/0DNE/0-GIFS/kleenex.gif)since I've spent the great majority of my discretionary income on this hobby.
But I still have no answer to the question posed, i.e. does collecting ever end? The goal line never seems to get any closer. I'd probably have to spend $70,000 more and add some $5,000+ posters to take my collection to the "elite" level. Is it worth it?
But the real news is that I got an email from a TV show wanting to feature my collection. If it's legit - and it appears to be - and anything comes of it, I'll let y'all know....
Why did Dennis have to die?
Had a 30 minute conversation with a production assistant for the TV show. I explained my collecting history and stories about the hobby, how women generally shun the hobby, how poster fakes are harming the hobby, the online forums, etc. Even though I explained that other collectors have larger collections, they like that I have many framed posters, apparently makes for better TV. They want me to submit a test video by next Thursday, so we'll see what happens. I made very clear that I would not participate if it is a "Crazed Hoarders" kind of show, although I'm probably guilty of that ;)How did they find you Mel?
unless its in a signed contract,I would think you will have very little control on editorial content...
Even with the contract it's VERY easy to make people look however they want you to look with selective editing. Would certainly depend on the show though. If it's a "Hoarders" type thing you know how that's going to turn out (badly), if it's just something about folks and what they collect it could be OK.+1
How did they find you Mel?
Stew
It can't be a hoarders type show because Mel doesn't have any angry wife or girlfriend
Or any girlfriend at all, partly due to hanging out too much on a forum with a 25-1 male/female ratio!
Of course all those beauty posters on the wall probably hasn't helped either...
All you have to say to her is: "I just am looking for someone to fill this void in my life. For example, I've spent $70,000 on movie posters to trying to satisfy my loneliness... I imagine if I ever did find the right girl; I would spoil her like a princess..." You would most definitely get laid...
;)
You boys are wacky!Reply:" I Know you will,if you wanna get jiggy"
More like "Babe, I'll ditch this crazy collection to pay for our wedding and honeymoon!"
There's the problem, they hate to be called Babe....
All you have to say to her is: "I just am looking for someone to fill this void in my life. For example, I've spent $70,000 on movie posters to trying to satisfy my loneliness... I imagine if I ever did find the right girl; I would spoil her like a princess..." You would most definitely get laid...
;)
Married guys have all the answers 8)Every day throws up yet another unanswerable question...
Yeah, unfortunately, poster exploitation art is not true to life ;)
No? Damn, I've been living a lie :'(
But now that I'm a TV star maybe I'll let y'all join my entourage ;)
No? Damn, I've been living a lie :'(
I would like that ;D
Wise decision Mel. They would have surely tried to make you look foolish.
Well, I decided not to "audition" (whatever that means) for the show. I found out the title of the show is "My Crazy Obsession" (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-crazy-obsession) on TLC and that's just too derogatory even if it is basically true! I'm convinced everyone has a crazy obsession but many "obsessions" are accepted by society. Many men obsess about certain athletic teams and women obsess about fashion and shoes. Organized religion arguably is an "obsession." In the grand scheme of things, all "obsessions" are probably a waste of time and rather frivolous but at least many movie posters have artistic merit, so I'd say this hobby is less frivolous than most. IMHO of course....
a good friend of mine was interviewed for a trendy magazine once because of her dildo/vibrator collection. I have seen it and its IMPRESSIVE!
hahah sorry, she lives in Melbourne, maybe one of our Victorian friends can help? Ves? Rick?
a good friend of mine was interviewed for a trendy magazine once because of her dildo/vibrator collection. I have seen it and its IMPRESSIVE!
So i would say collecting never ends for certain people..If it wasn`t posters it would be something else,I admire your passion for our hobby,but perhaps try to be more focused on specific goal posters rather than accumulating what might become,the second largest collection of posters that no one else wants or cares for.
If anything I have typed sounds harsh in any way,it wasn`t meant.
Stew
Seems to me she should have a website devoted to the display, preservation and usage of these things.
Y'know, complete with pics and videos.
Not that I'd be a regular visitor or something...I mean...y'know...I'd check it out, maybe. wynk
Well, I decided not to "audition" (whatever that means) for the show. I found out the title of the show is "My Crazy Obsession" (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-crazy-obsession) on TLC and that's just too derogatory even if it is basically true! I'm convinced everyone has a crazy obsession but many "obsessions" are accepted by society. Many men obsess about certain athletic teams and women obsess about fashion and shoes. Organized religion arguably is an "obsession." In the grand scheme of things, all "obsessions" are probably a waste of time and rather frivolous but at least many movie posters have artistic merit, so I'd say this hobby is less frivolous than most. IMHO of course....
I think you did the right thing. I went to the website and the first segment that came up on video from the show was about a man who was obsessed with wearing baby diapers! I don't think THAT is the kind of impression we want to spread about our "hobby"...! bed1
I reckon that TV show sounds great and you should go on it, or at least tell them about someone else, maybe Rich.
Why did Dennis have to die?
At least I did pick up some decent 1950s first release collection (43 posters):
(http://www.posternirvana.com/0DNE/0-APF2/1950s.jpg)
Very impressive, Mel.
Many fine posters here.
Congrats on some money FINALLY well spent!
clap clap clap clap
It is quite a selection, isn't it?
OR, get all your storage space back by taking them to a flea market and charge a few bucks each (at most).
OR consign them to Bruce (now this is where Bruce says - "but I don't want posters that sell for under $15 dammit!" )
This is why I could never sell a poster even if I wanted to. I dont have very many posters that anyone but me would pay $15 for.
I am okay with this. ;D
You have a Grace Kelly I'd give $14.99 for... ;D
(http://www.posternirvana.com/0DNE/0-APF2/Pre-1950.jpg)
At least I did pick up some decent 1950s first release collection (43 posters):
(http://www.posternirvana.com/0DNE/0-APF2/1950s.jpg)
What are you using to get that layout, I'd like to keep track of my collection like that right now I'm just using an excel spreadsheet.
1) Stop all buying unless it is a "must-have" (define that rigidly)
2) Look over what you own and sell whatever you don't care about (if you take a loss, so be it)
3) Over time, you will pay off your debt. THEN, resume buying, but stop making "impulse buys", the kind that seem to make sense at the time, but by the time the package arrives you are thinking "WHY did I buy this?" If you do that, you will have funds available when the must-haves come along.
This has been a public service announcement from eMoviePoster.com, who urges everyone to collect movie posters responsibly.
I've been carrying a few thousand debt for a while, and by no means am I in a financial bind, just a matter of finding the willpower to stop buying and pay off existing debt. I don't have credit cards, fortunately. I swore those off years ago so I've got that going for me. But it's still too easy to walk downstairs and get a loan from the credit union.
Well $#@*& I've racked up about $5,000 in poster debt. If I live reasonably frugally and stop buying more posters for the next three months, I can pay it all off.
Has anybody racked up debt before, stopped buying, and diligently paid off debt instead? What's the secret? Stop looking at auctions? Avoid the Internetz?
You have to stop looking at all auctions.
Stop. Looking.
At. ALL. Auctions.
Oh and find some willpower ;D
Is a stretching halt similar to a screeching halt, but done by Mr. Fantastic?
As long as I can afford it, I will keep collecting,
"Oh my gosh. This poster will never turn up again," I think.
Invariably it does, at an even cheaper price.
Yeah, yeah, yeah... make fun of the foreigner, Bruce. I got my point across, didn't I? Rude!
Sorry, Thierry. You write English so well I forget it is not your native tongue.
Nice comeback, Bruce. You get a kiss!
T
A french kiss?
A french kiss?
That's the only kind of kiss I know.
T
He gets the tongue as far as I can reach. Down his throat if I can.
Ask my wife.
Hope she got some free books.
Wait, your Wifes been kissing Bruce? :-*
Hope she got some free books.
Yeah I thought that comment from Ari was a great one too!
Got a paycheck this morning by electronic deposit. Paid off $1650 in poster debt. Now I "only" owe $4,000. Back to Ramen noodle diet and 40th straight month of poster poverty :-[
You need a wife to supplement your income...
Sometimes I find books on the side of the road, thats pretty good.
Mel - one idea to stave off the need to buy new posters...why don't you add some personal thoughts to your website for each poster about what drew you to the poster or some interesting info on the film/poster? I really enjoy it when collectors do this (e.g. Ed, Holiday and T for their new acquisitions)...by the time you get through your collection you'll be poster debt free and ready for new purchases! :D
I have a friend who works for the NYS Thruway.
He says (and I don't have any way of substantiating this) that the number one thing they find on the side of the road are sex toys.
WTF?
Mel - one idea to stave off the need to buy new posters...why don't you add some personal thoughts to your website for each poster about what drew you to the poster or some interesting info on the film/poster? I really enjoy it when collectors do this (e.g. Ed, Holiday and T for their new acquisitions)...by the time you get through your collection you'll be poster debt free and ready for new purchases! :D
Mel - one idea to stave off the need to buy new posters...why don't you add some personal thoughts to your website for each poster about what drew you to the poster or some interesting info on the film/poster? I really enjoy it when collectors do this (e.g. Ed, Holiday and T for their new acquisitions)...by the time you get through your collection you'll be poster debt free and ready for new purchases! :D
That is a great idea... I would hold Peter's site up as the gold standard in that regard. Reading through his site you can tell how much he values and appreciates each and every poster!
That is a great idea... I would hold Peter's site up as the gold standard in that regard. Reading through his site you can tell how much he values and appreciates each and every poster!
Right now I'm driven to have a substantial 30s-40s US collection and film noir collection
Good luck, I mean it, as I plan on squatting it.
Well despite my short tenure on this board, I feel I have some applicable input for this discussion.
Some people just have psychologically addictive personalities. Some have it by way of entrepreneurship; others have it in the need to play video games all day every day; and some have it in collecting stamps, coins, poster, et al. In some individuals this proclivity wrecks lives, but in others it brings immense personal happiness. Some people are naturally good at, or naturally quick to develop, self-control and self-regulation. But those people are the minority. If they were the majority, so many men and women wouldn't go broke in casinos. Knowing your limits, and knowing when to stop separates a healthy addiction from an unhealthy one.
Here is a pleasant way of viewing all of the hours lost, and money spent, in a hobby --- "What else would you have done? Where else would you have spent it?" Any money you lost wasn't truly a loss... It was a purchase of entertainment. When I purchase a 300page book for $20, what am I buying? Answer: The ~10hours it will take me to read it, the knowledge it gives me, the feeling of accomplishment when I finish, opening new pathways of thought, something to discuss with others, and a new mantle piece. I think you can use the same logic to posters. Even though in the long run, you may have sank too much perceived time and money, what you really did was *buy* an incredible amount of entertainment, purpose, and belonging.
You can only become knowledgeable in a field by sinking a tremendous amount of hours into it. And that knowledge isn't worthless. Would you really be any better off if you had, instead, spent 12 hours watching football every week like most Americans? Not that football is bad, or good. It's merely entertainment. But so is poster-collecting. ;D
I finishedblowinginvestingspending my Round 1 poster dough last month, so now have to switch from an insane spending rate of $450 DAILY to $300 month. So collecting will not "end" but will resume some semblance of normality.
What did you buy for $450 daily and how did you come up with $300 monthly? It's so precise. Most importantly, how do you plan on going from one to the other?
T
What did you buy for $450 daily and how did you come up with $300 monthly? It's so precise. Most importantly, how do you plan on going from one to the other?
T
So is the plan to sell some, like you're selling Breakfast at Tiffany's right now, replenish your coffers, buy more, sell more, and keep rotating the collection until you eventually own pieces you would never sell and call it a day?
I know you don't understand collecting and not displaying, but I don't understand the mad buying rush and the complete stop once it ends.
T
Is OPM opium sales? ;D Just kiddin!