Grading our posters

We have elected to choose 5 rating categories for our posters. It is VERY IMPORTANT to read the following categories before buying, especially novices of movie poster collecting. The most important point is the context in which poster gradings exist. We are grading original movie posters; posters that have likely been used in cinemas and handled by different hands. Many are over 30 years old. A poster rated ‘good’ therefore may still have tears and stains from when it was displayed, though for collectors the imperfections still do not equate to a below average or poor quality poster. Posters with pinholes, tears and/or tape marks are bought and sold all the time by collectors. Of course, posters in 'Mint' or 'Very Good' condition will trade at considerably higher prices. Minor flaws that occurred during the printing process and any 'centreing' issues (where there is lack of symmetry between main image and the border frame) is ignored. Please note that grading an original movie poster is subjective. If you are unsure of the condition of our posters even after viewing the image and reading the description please ask us. We also believe our gradings and their explanation are conservative compared to other leading poster sellers in the US and Europe. Here you will find many respectable dealers describing a rating of ‘good’ as a poster with ‘significant imperfections’ or ‘Excellent’ as a poster with possibly a ‘1 inch tear’. 

MINT (a subjective score of 9 or 10/10)
The poster is basically in perfect condition, or rather, exhibits a high state of preservation with virtually no perceptible flaws of any kind. This may not however include very minor flaws that may have occurred during the printing process. Very minor, largely unnoticeable, creases could exist. Note that posters that were originally factory folded are not considered flawed in any way by us or any other respectable poster dealer.  

VERY GOOD (8 to 9/10)
Very good condition, near or not far from mint condition and ready for display. Unused or very carefully used in the past. A poster with tiny pinholes may fall under the ‘very good’ category. A poster with very minor tears or tape stains may also fall under the ‘Very Good’ category, though in 90% of the cases this would need to occur in the ‘frame’ of the poster and not affecting the image or centerpiece of the poster. One Sheets with quarter folds that have very slight fold wear may also fall into this category simply because the ‘wear’ is likely unavoidable in other posters ‘for the same film’.

GOOD (6 to 7/10)

An above-average poster exhibiting some signs of use. Generally clean and ready for display. ‘Good’ quality posters may have some tape or tape marks, some minor tears, small paper loss, pinholes and/or paper wear in small places, but the centrepiece of the poster (usually anything inside the frame border if the poster has one) is in very good condition. Some posters could have minor wear around most of the edges but no tape or tears, whilst others could have a small tear or some writing on it in just one place but everything else is near mint. The poster may have lost some 'brightness' in colours, especially white. This category is probably the most subjective, so please view posters carefully. Also, if we think the defects could be repaired easily then we may mark it as ‘good’.

 FAIR (3 to 5/10)

The poster may have large and noticeable tears, large tape stains, writing, many pinholes, and/or pieces missing. Some posters may just have very poor edge ware, but the ‘guts’ of the poster is on very good condition. It really depends upon how fussy you are. I own many ‘fair’ condition posters in my private collection, whilst others would simply write the posters off. Sometimes these imperfections can give the poster a sense of authenticity as opposed to a perfect reprint. You decide.

 POOR (1 to 2/10)

 

One Sheets: