How to Tell if a Vintage Movie Poster is an Original

Movie posters provide fascinating insights into cinematic nostalgia while celebrating shifts in art styles and culture. Each piece is a window into a part of cinematic history and a specific cultural genre.

As such, it’s vital to protect these posters for posterity.

For collectors, the thrill of acquiring an original movie poster is unparalleled. It might be the finishing touch to a vast collection or your first foray into the movie poster market. Either way, you want to be confident in the authenticity of what you are buying. This is important, especially considering you’ll often pay thousands for these sought-after posters.

So, how can you be sure you’re buying an authentic original? You should know these authentication techniques and some telltale signs of reproductions or fakes.

Understanding Original Movie Posters

The industry defines an original movie poster as one issued by the National Screen Service (NSS), the movie studio, or an authorized company for display in a movie theater at the time of the film's original release.

Within the umbrella of original movie posters, there are three categories:

• Theatrical posters - Issued by the NSS or the film's studio for display in movie theaters.
• Advertising posters - Utilized outside theaters, such as wildings, bus shelters, subways, and billboards.
• Studio-issued posters - Printed alongside theatrical posters but distributed within the industry, not intended for public display. These are still considered original due to their contemporaneous creation.

Fakes, reproductions, and restrikes, often found in retail or online, may mimic the appearance of originals, but they lack their historical and collectible value.

If you’re searching on eBay or stumble across an ‘original’ poster at a flea market, what can you do to check to see if the poster is a bona fide original?

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules here. However, there are some key indicators of authenticity to be aware of.

Key Factors of Authenticity

You can run through a checklist to determine if your movie poster is an authentic original. Let’s start with the dimensions:

Dimensions

Authentic movie posters have always had precise dimensions. Deviations from industry standards can indicate that the poster isn’t original.

For instance, before 1990, U.S. one-sheet movie posters typically measured 27x41 inches; after 1990, this changed to 27x40 inches. Anything significantly off these measurements, like 26"x39" or 24"x36", is likely not original.

Find more examples of standardized sizes via Film/Art Gallery’s movie poster size guide.

However, of course, reproducers are skilled at their craft.

If you measure your poster and it is precisely the right size, it is not enough to signify authenticity. This will be a running theme throughout this checklist—that those looking to replicate originals are continuously trying to find ways to mimic the real thing.

Note*: This section refers to US sizing, but dimensions vary worldwide. So, if you’re interested in Japanese or European cinema, you can expect different standardized dimensions. Check out our ltimate guide to movie posters for more information. You’ll also find information here on the unique 9-grade system Film/Ary Gallery employs to assess the condition of a poster and determine its value.

GAU Logo and NSS Number

Eagle-eyed collectors will always look for the GAU logo and the NSS number:

• GAU logo—A GAU logo (the logo of the U.S. printers' union) on U.S. posters from the 1970s and 1980s is a useful indicator.
• NSS Number - A key feature on posters distributed in the U.S. from the 1940s through the 1980s, indicating it was part of the NSS distribution system.

However, an NSS number or GAU logo doesn't guarantee authenticity. Adept forgers may include these elements to appear genuine.

Age and Condition

The movie poster’s age and condition can provide a quick sense check for casual observers. Any poster in a movie theater in the 1970s should not be in pristine ‘minty white’ condition today. It should show some typical signs of wear and tear. If the poster is immaculate, then there’s cause for concern.

Look for standard cracks, pinholes, slight tanning, and fold marks on a vintage poster.

Of course, this system is not foolproof, either. Genuine posters can be found in excellent condition after extensive preservation in private collections.

Check Film/Art Gallery’s condition guide for more information.

Supplementary Checks

Beyond these three main factors, you can get a good indication of a movie poster’s authenticity by looking at the following additional factors if they are relevant to your poster:

• Folded or rolled - Posters from before the mid-1980s were typically issued folded, while newer ones are rolled.
• Paper quality and print—Assess the paper type (matte, flat, or glossy) and the print quality (blurry or sharp). Authentic posters usually feature sharp, clear lettering and logos thanks to traditional lithographic printing methods. Originals from different years may use specific paper types not commonly available to forgers now.
• Single or double-sided - Double-sided posters, which have become more common since 1990 due to the rise of lightboxes in cinema advertising, are usually a good sign of originality. So, by extension, a single-sided poster for a post-1990 is more likely to be a fake. However, double-sided posters are not automatically genuine, as high-quality fakes exist.
• Known reproductions - Be aware of titles with known reproductions and examine the artwork for slight cropping or altered details.
• Sensory checks - Sometimes, the feel or even the smell of a poster can indicate its age and authenticity.

Collection Tips

The source of a poster significantly affects its likelihood of being authentic.

Buying your movie posters from reputable dealers or galleries significantly reduces the risk of encountering fakes. These dealers and sites have their reputations at stake when offering high-quality, authentic, original posters.

At the other end of the spectrum, platforms where sellers can remain anonymous, like eBay, can be risky. Sellers here have more incentives to fabricate elements like review histories. There is less oversight for these platforms, so it’s difficult to place trust in what they are advertising as ‘original’.

If you have obtained a vintage original, proper handling and care are vital to preserving the current condition of your poster.

Carefully frame your poster - consider getting professional help to do this. Once framed, ensure your poster isn’t in direct sunlight. Display your poster in a stable environment free from humidity and temperature fluctuations​where possible. These steps can help ensure your posters don’t degrade, and you can appreciate them for many years.

Final Thoughts

Authenticating a vintage movie poster requires a keen eye and knowledge of these crucial indicators. Consulting with experts or reputable dealers like Film/Art Gallery ensures you can confidently add to your collection knowing each piece's history and authenticity. Contact us today with any of your queries.

Explore our collection at Film/Art Gallery, where every poster tells a story of cinematic artistry and history. Discover authentic pieces that resonate with your passion for film and collectibles.