Poster Restorers, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[erik1925]

What always amazes me with Chris @ posterfix is how roughly he handles brittle paper. Pieces could flake off or break away and he would never know (and likely not care, either).

There actually is another video from his series where (i think it's his mother in law) is working on a poster and actually had a 3 inch piece come off on one side. What did she do with that torn piece? She dropped it to the floor, where it likely ended up in the trash can.  

She's also the same person that infamously is seen (in another vid) using Elmer's Glue on a bullfighting poster she is "working" on.

OMG!! that same woman is there slathering that poster with the pulp mixture, with the container sitting right on the poster!!!

[Neo]

With these PosterFix videos, do y'all think that many of the viewers know what to expect, and then watch the video anyway.   

[erik1925]

I like to watch them, knowing that there is a likely "poster train wreck" somewhere in the clip. 

[Ari]

So what's he latest concensious on a GOOD restorer ?
I am considering getting something done.
(Are pigs flying?)
It needs to be stabilised and some small splits at folds etc

I have a concern though

It's the only example of any paper I have ever seen in the title. I know there will be another somewhere but in the last 20 years it's the only one I have seen and searching brings nothing on it being sold on record ( on the net)
Should I back something that might be the only one? Aaergghhhhh
And what if there is a fiasco?

So hard to decide. 

[erik1925]

So what's he latest concensious on a GOOD restorer ?
I am considering getting something done.
(Are pigs flying?)
It needs to be stabilised and some small splits at folds etc

I have a concern though

It's the only example of any paper I have ever seen in the title. I know there will be another somewhere but in the last 20 years it's the only one I have seen and searching brings nothing on it being sold on record ( on the net)
Should I back something that might be the only one? Aaergghhhhh
And what if there is a fiasco?

So hard to decide. 

I have a couple things that I have that have been the only one I have every seen online. One from 1927, the other from 1936. I had both backed to do just what you want to do, too, Ari. That was to have the 2 posters conserved and preserved. One was more brittle and would have begun to likely break apart at the cross folds, in time.

The other, I also backed simply to conserve it and help it to be in the most stable condition it could be, for its age.

I had both pieces backed, with NO retouching or color added to any fold lines etc. Each was simply washed, de-acidified and then backed. Nothing more.

What year is your poster from? And from what country?

The 2 pieces i had done--one is from France, the other, a pre war Belgian.

[Ari]

40's quad
Trouble is I don't really like backed posters so much
and while I see it's important to preserve also somehow seems a shame if it's the only one ( though despite trying to find another this seems unlikely )
Saying that, Sim says he has never seen another.
I'd like to get it framed this year
It's the TO THE PUBLIC DANGER quad I am sure I have posted before by the way.

[erik1925]

40's quad
Trouble is I don't really like backed posters so much
and while I see it's important to preserve also somehow seems a shame if it's the only one ( though despite trying to find another this seems unlikely )
Saying that, Sim says he has never seen another.
I'd like to get it framed this year
It's the TO THE PUBLIC DANGER quad I am sure I have posted before by the way.

I know what you mean about backing. I'm more that feeling now. I had both of these done about 10 years ago and if could do it again, I might hold off. But the one was getting to the point that to even handle it in the slightest could have caused more damage, so I pulled the trigger and did it and the other one.

Re your quad. Its a cool looking piece. Is it a noir film? And u did post it a while back: http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,2007.msg30945.html#msg30945 

[Ari]

It's actually more of an anti drink driving film
Not much story. Some people meet in a pub and continue to drink and drive around the countryside in England and stop for more booze and drive some more until .....
I live the film. Love the director and HATE drink drivers. So it works for me.
Lucky it also has nice artwork.

[erik1925]

Ari, this is the French poster I was talking about, that was becoming so brittle to the touch (more so along the folds). I didn't even have the upper right corner replaced. I left it all as it was.

The Man Who Lived Twice (1936)

[Ari]

Ohhh nice. And yeah those French posters are fragile with the acidity.
Good work.

[Crazy Vick]

Nice poster Jeff and a good decision on your part.  When it comes to the point where viewing your poster causes actual damage to it there's nothing wrong with backing it, which includes minor conservation like washing etc. 

I don't mind linen at all.  My bed sheets at home at 10 oz cotton duck and I sleep like a baby!

[erik1925]

Nice poster Jeff and a good decision on your part.  When it comes to the point where viewing your poster causes actual damage to it there's nothing wrong with backing it, which includes minor conservation like washing etc.  

I don't mind linen at all.  My bed sheets at home at 10 oz cotton duck and I sleep like a baby!

Thanks, Vick.

And washing and de-acidifying will not only make it look better, but will add longevity to the paper itself. If even the most delicate and careful of handling a poster is going to cause flakes or pieces to fall off (and then be gone forever), I think it is safe to say that that kind of piece would be a great candidate for backing of some kind, in order to save and stabilize it.

[Chris9000]

Has anybody used or heard good/bad about 'Backing to the Future?' They've got a long list of testimonials, but without knowing the knowledge base of those folks it's hard to put much faith in them.

http://www.backingtothefuture.com/

[erik1925]

Has anybody used or heard good/bad about 'Backing to the Future?' They've got a long list of testimonials, but without knowing the knowledge base of those folks it's hard to put much faith in them.

http://www.backingtothefuture.com/

Hey Chris,

One member here, Mike (bigmike) has used them: http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,10451.msg197593.html#msg197593

[Chris9000]

Hey Chris,

One member here, Mike (bigmike) has used them: http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,10451.msg197593.html#msg197593

Thanks, Jeff. I'll check it out.

[paul waines]

40's quad
Trouble is I don't really like backed posters so much
and while I see it's important to preserve also somehow seems a shame if it's the only one ( though despite trying to find another this seems unlikely )
Saying that, Sim says he has never seen another.
I'd like to get it framed this year
It's the TO THE PUBLIC DANGER quad I am sure I have posted before by the way.

I don't back anything I think there may only be one of, I put them in a sleeve, which is as good as it gets for protection.

Buy a sleeve Ari, and put it in until another turns up...  it will be cheaper anyway.

[Ari]

Hmmm thanks
Yeah it really bothered me I might ruin the only one
Thanks. You find another please.

[paul waines]

Not much chance, you pipped me to the one that was for sale..

I kept thinking, next month I'll get it..  and never did.
Glad it went to a good home in the end.

To be honest, I only wanted it for the Terry fisher connection.

[erik1925]

A big vote for Sylvia at Precision Restoration and Dario up in Canadia.  You can get a great combo deal from Sylvia if you're having your poster framed by Sue at Hollywood Poster Frames as well. 

--Peter

Peter, I just went to look at Sylvia's site - Precision Restoration (http://www.precisionrestoration.net) and the site looks down.

Is she still in business in Oceanside, CA?

[Harry Caul]

Last I heard she retired a few years ago.

[erik1925]

Thanks, Matt.

I found a couple other listings for the company when i did a further search. They basically gave the address and phone number, but nothing more.

[oldposterho]

Peter, I just went to look at Sylvia's site - Precision Restoration (http://www.precisionrestoration.net) and the site looks down.

Is she still in business in Oceanside, CA?

Honestly, I don't know.  She was the house backer for Sue at Hollywood Frames and I always just went through her.  Hope everything is OK.

[erik1925]

Honestly, I don't know.  She was the house backer for Sue at Hollywood Frames and I always just went through her.  Hope everything is OK.

Hi Peter.

I wrote to Sue and she said that Sylvia retired about 3 years ago. Other than that, it seems Sylvia is well. 

[Chris9000]

I'd like to give another +1 to the ladies at 4th Cone.

Their work backing and performing slight restorations on my Taxi Driver B2 was top notch and at an affordable price, but it was their customer service that I really found impeccable.

I tend to be very type-A and detailed oriented and they worked with me through all of my direction. I also asked, if it wasn't too much of a hassle if they would take pictures of the work being done throughout the backing and restoration process. They provided me with a number of photos of all work being done without question.

Again, couldn't be happier... my  two cents.

[lalatin]

Anyone in the Los Angles area ever had a poster restored and/or linen backed by Fourth Cone Restoration? Just curious about their quality of work. Thanks!