I've been collecting for a very long time. Bought my first comic in 1962 and my first movie posters in 1966 (I still have a Universal 6sh for Dead Man's Eyes I got when I was 9 or 10!).
Of course we all know I'm a dealer also, but I'm a dealer BECAUSE I'm a collector. I have always maintained various collections and moved back and forth between them. Some, like my newspaper comics sections (complete color sections, not cut) I have maintained for decades, while things like my comic art collection and comic books have been distributed to the 4 winds and my 3rd go-round with a photoplay collection is about to go on the auction block at profiles soon..
One of the things that is always a consideration is condition, though I will admit it's less important in posters usually than it was with comic books, but there are some basics to me.
first of all.. when you collect something, there are a number of factors that are considered.
In general, I do NOT collect material that has been restored, or just backed without restoration.
I don't collect linen, I collect paper. Most of the linenbacked (or other backing) posters I have had in 1sh or smaller sizes I have replaced, or will for ones that I have not when I can find them. To me, being linenbacked is a defect, especially for posters that did not need any restoration. I think it's a crime to back a sharp condition poster, for any reason.
Also, unless a poster is rare and very difficult to find, I generally won't buy a low grade poster with lots of damage and I will wait until I can get a satisfactory copy. Of course if I need a poster and it's really really cheap, I will fill that hole until I get a better copy.
I do not for instance, buy a low grade poster with the idea that I will back it to make it satisfactory.
In this instance I will just wait and I usually try not to buy posters I plan on replacing later anyway, because it is an added expense and I can just buy other posters I'm looking for
No doubt about it, that as posters are newer, I won't even consider buying a linenbacked copy or lower grade poster. Sure I still need a Long Goodbye style-B and it's tough to find, but I'm just going to wait - however many years it takes - to get a copy I'll be happy with.
how do the rest of you feel abut waiting, not waiting, buying whatever, etc..