Does Writing on the Back of the Poster affect Value?

[ATLfun]

  In general how important is the back of the poster to a poster's value, and specifically the effect of writing?  

  I have bought some posters where the sellers did not disclose that there was writing on the back.  Of course, no one sees the back of the poster when framed, so I would suspect the poster value would not be diminished greatly. I will say that all of the writing has been just the poster name in pencil or ink, but with no bleed through.

  I do have one great Escape From New York that looks very minty, except for the green dot circle sticker on the back.  Is a small dot sticker something that would cause Bruce/Heritage to down grade the poster?

  Thanks for your input,

   Brian

  
 

[eatbrie]

I don't think anything written on the back of a poster has any impact on the value of the poster AS LONG as it doesn't bleed thru.

90% of older posters have some sort of writing on the back, especially larger ones, so that you don't have to unfold them to find out what they are.  Who cares about the back?  I certainly don't.

T

[50s]

I dislike ink on the back (other than the distributors movie title stamp). I collect the older, folded posters. When it comes to linen backing, the stamp can usually be sanded off (without tearing the paper) but pen ink sometimes seeps deeper, even not yet showing thru, and cant be sanded out. Then during the linen backing process the remaining ink can bleed thru and spread, which for me is very bad when it bleeds into a white area as trying to lighten a dark area (with pencils) is next to impossible, so I am as cautious as I can be when purchasing. So if I discover ink on the back that corresponds to a light area on the front I would be likely to not buy.

[holiday]

Same here, as long as it's not obnoxious.

I don't think anything written on the back of a poster has any impact on the value of the poster AS LONG as it doesn't bleed thru.

90% of older posters have some sort of writing on the back, especially larger ones, so that you don't have to unfold them to find out what they are.  Who cares about the back?  I certainly don't.

T

[CSM]

You two have been agreeing far too much lately!

[MoviePosterBid.com]

was there any writing on the front of the poster?
out of sight, out of mind!

[ATLfun]

  Cool Beans. Thanks for all the responses. I was so distraught when my "nm" Dirty Harry arrived and it had its name written twice on the back.  At least it had no pin holes......


  Brian

[eatbrie]

It's fine, Brian.  Even with pinholes, it's fine.  Personally, when it comes to pre 80s paper, I only have a problem with tears and missing pieces.  Especially on US posters.  Tears are expected on Italian posters, for example, since the paper used is more fragile.

Posters have lives.  I like to know that my poster was somewhat used.  Still in great condition, but showing a little bit of life.  A 40 year old poster should show some scars.

[Chop-Top]

My rules are: it can't bleed through (almost never), damage the paper on the back (almost never) or be over the top writing (sometimes).

[paul waines]

I'm sure Dr Harry Caul could make a graph, but new (after the early 80's ) posters have to be mint/perfect condition, but as you go back in time, you can forgive more problems. For very scarce posters, even more forgiveness maybe be needed. So writing on the back, as said, as long as there is no bleed through all is well with the world. In fact I think it adds to the poster, it's all part of the poster, and sometimes Cinemas history...   

[110x75]

90% of older posters have some sort of writing on the back, especially larger ones, so that you don't have to unfold them to find out what they are.

Like this?

[jayn_j]

I'd be happy to give him back his keys.  Heck for $100000 I'd be happy to buy him a whole new Ford pickup.

[110x75]

Well Jay, the poster is from "Altered states" so, talking in argentinean currency of the early 80s (a time with one of our most severe hyperinflations) those 100.000 would be something like 2.5 actual dollars... perhaps you could have bought a whole new Ford pickup keyring

[erik1925]

Like this?

Hey Matias, do you still have this poster? Do you have a pic of the front? Would be cool to see.   

[erik1925]

Writing on the back of older posters is an added perk, almost, imho. As has been touched on, it helps to show the "life" a poster has lived, and, as long as the writing hasn't seeped/leached/bled through to the front image, it shouldn't affect the poster's value in the least.

( Personally, I really like to see and discover writing or other marks on older, vintage posters). 

[DekeThornton]

I agree with many here.  I like writing so long as it is unobtrusive and doesn't bleed through to the front.

I feel the same way about censor stamps, too. I like them as long as they are not stuck smack dab in the middle of the image of the lead actor's face.

It's cool to have some indication that a poster was actually used, and have that extra connection to the time when it was created.

[martinc]

I agree with many here.  I like writing so long as it is unobtrusive and doesn't bleed through to the front.

I feel the same way about censor stamps, too. I like them as long as they are not stuck smack dab in the middle of the image of the lead actor's face.

It's cool to have some indication that a poster was actually used, and have that extra connection to the time when it was created.

I agree about the censor stamps, they give a flavour of the time and place the poster came from. In fact, I like those posters (Belgian posters or US window cards, for example) where there is writing in the blank space at the top for the same reason, I don't necessarily see it as a defect or something that should detract from the value of the poster. In fact, it often gives it a bit of "character".

[erik1925]

I agree about the censor stamps, they give a flavour of the time and place the poster came from. In fact, I like those posters (Belgian posters or US window cards, for example) where there is writing in the blank space at the top for the same reason, I don't necessarily see it as a defect or something that should detract from the value of the poster. In fact, it often gives it a bit of "character".

I'm also with you on this, too, martin. The writing (play dates, city, etc) that are written in the blank top border areas, that were meant to be written in  sure do add that extra historical element as well as showing that a certain WC was actually used and not just stored in a box or file somewhere. And unless the writing was down onto the artwork, I can't imagine that it would affect the value.

That's why when I've seen restored WC put up for auction with that top border airbrushed "clean" of any and all writing, it has made me think that a little bit of that item's history has also been scrubbed away, all to make it look fresh and new.

If 2 cards were in the same, good condition and one had writing and the other didnt, I would more than likely choose the one with the added, printed/written info.

[martinc]

That's why when I've seen restored WC put up for auction with that top border airbrushed "clean" of any and all writing, it has made me think that a little bit of that item's history has also been scrubbed away, all to make it look fresh and new.

Yes, exactly, and just think of all those Belgian and US window cards where the top has simply been cut off for the same reason. Having said that, there are posters where the day and date of showing has been written across the main artwork rather than the blank heading and I can understand why potential buyers could object more to that.

[erik1925]

Yes, exactly, and just think of all those Belgian and US window cards where the top has simply been cut off for the same reason. Having said that, there are posters where the day and date of showing has been written across the main artwork rather than the blank heading and I can understand why potential buyers could object more to that.

For sure. I'd equate that with "damage." And if it was written with something that couldnt be removed, that card or poster might be deemed as pretty worthless, let alone not enjoyable, with scrawl going right over actors' faces, the title, credits etc.

[guest4955]

No go for me, as amusing as the writing sometimes is.