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

[CSM]

Every time I see that FRENCH LINE poster I think of the after-effects of 5-Alarm Chili...
Think Jane burnt a hole through the backside of her rhinestone one-piece?
hitself

Definitely what inspired the artist!

[brude]

[erik1925]

Definitely what inspired the artist!

And Jane's expression does fit Ted's comparative, too.   ;D

[erik1925]

Another restorer/backer that I personally cannot recommend is Debi Jacobson (L'imagery Gallery) in North Hollywood, CA.

It was because of my experience with her, that I found Poster Mountain.  thumbup

[brude]

Another restorer/backer that I personally cannot recommend is Debi Jacobson (L'imagery Gallery) in North Hollywood, CA.

You mean this person?
Steve got her number...unfortunately for him.

http://www.nameandshameyou.com/

[CSM]

You mean this person?
Steve got her number...unfortunately for him.

http://www.nameandshameyou.com/

I am sure there was a whole debate about this when Steve first posted this page and issue with Debi.

But just for the sake of stirring things up - is a poster near mint when it's been restored to appearing to be in near mint condition?

Discuss and have fun...

[brude]

But just for the sake of stirring things up - is a poster near mint when it's been restored to appearing to be in near mint condition?

                                                                                               

[CSM]

                                                                                               

Yeah that's what I was hoping for ;)

[erik1925]

You mean this person?
Steve got her number...unfortunately for him.

http://www.nameandshameyou.com/

Yep Ted, that would be her (and her "mystery," unnamed restorer).

;)

[jayn_j]

I am sure there was a whole debate about this when Steve first posted this page and issue with Debi.

But just for the sake of stirring things up - is a poster near mint when it's been restored to appearing to be in near mint condition?

Discuss and have fun...

I like Bruce's solution where he posts the pre-and post restoration condition.

I got a better question/rant though.  Should the age and rarity of a poster affect its CONDITION.

I personally have no problem saying that there are no "near mint" copies of The Gold Rush or some other 191x poster.  They are all brittle, yellowed and have fold tears.  By the same token, should a poster from a 2005 romantic comedy be rated "poor" if it simply has a 2" tear in the border?

IMO, condition should be an absolute and the content of the poster should be irrelevant.

[Bruce]

Jay, here we just disagree. Not only do I grade differently based on age, but also on type of poster.

For example, most Australian daybills are in pretty nice condition, so I grade them on a very tough scale, or else you would see "very good to fine" or "fine" on just about all of them.

And Mexican posters are mostly in lousy shape, due to the paper they were printed on, with many brittle and brown. So I grade them on a more lenient scale, or else you would see "fair" or "poor" on just about all of them.

And grading one of a million BLADE RUNNER one-sheets on exactly the same scale as one of the two known THE GOLD RUSH one-sheets just doesn't make sense to me.

It seems to me that this helps collectors more than using an "absolute" scale (and of course I make it clear that this is what I do, and that is vital to doing this).

Bruce

[ozcinemagic]

I think most experienced collectors would expect grading in the context of the piece being described. A certain amount of deterioration becomes 'patina', rather than any fault. Heavy foxing on a poster only twenty years old is a bit different, imho.
I like Bruce's approach.

[Ari]

a finger print on some super high gloss modern poster is worse than a border nick in a vintage item

[CSM]

a finger print on some super high gloss modern poster is worse than a border nick in a vintage item

True dat

[erik1925]

I am sure there was a whole debate about this when Steve first posted this page and issue with Debi.

But just for the sake of stirring things up - is a poster near mint when it's been restored to appearing to be in near mint condition?

Discuss and have fun...

Good question, Chris, and IMO, no, a poster that was restored to "appear" as mint is just that. If a poster is called mint/near mint, at the time it comes off the press, then one that has had significant work should only ever be described as "appearing" near mint, what with any paper fills, fold tear mends and color retouching it may have been given, at the time of its restoration.  ;)

[Tikbalang]

Hi there! I'm planning to get some of my French large format posters linen-backed. I just came across this studio from Portland and they are cheap plus they give out bulk discounts. Here's their site:

http://www.affichestudio.com/services--prices

the owner's name is Jason Leonard. Just wondering if any of you guys have had any posters done by him and would you recommend his studio?

[CSM]

Welcome to APF!  Personally, I have not come across this particular restorer before but I am sure someone here has...

[Tikbalang]

Thanks! Glad to be here  ;D

[erik1925]

Welcome Tikbalang,

Jason's website and info are very well presented and laid out.

And his selection of Before and After images certainly show what looks to be fine work.

[Tikbalang]

Thanks! I'll be sending him a French large format just to 'test the waters',i'm before and after pics when i get back the poster.  :)

[brude]

Welcome aboard, Tikbalang.
We look forward to seeing your collection and the before and after resto pics.
cheers

[erik1925]

Not sure who did this "restore" but it would be good to know, and to most likely stay away from him/her like the plague. Whoever did this work, decided to apply paint to the ENTIRE blank background, with a coat of paint so thick, that it is now chipping and falling away, as tho it were on a plaster wall.

This is atrocious to say the least. Hopefully, the paint is water based, so that it could be washed off and original paper beneath could again be revealed.

[CSM]

Yes such a shame Jeff since it's such a rare style.  I wonder how tanned the paper is underneath to warrant that kind of paint?!

[erik1925]

And what I would like to know, too, Chris, is, even if the paper was a bit tanned with age, how did that warrant a coat of thickly applied paint?  It is a rare style, and I cant imagine the paper beneath being any more tan than that shade the "restorer" chose to slather it with.   :'(

[Charlie]

I don't think it is paint.  I think it is varnish that adhered itself and has now cracked...