The Magic of Discovering Cinematic Masterpeices

When collecting vintage poster art begins to feel like stepping into a dream.

When the hobby of collecting goes to another “level”.  

As a collector of vintage posters since about 1980, I’ve come to appreciate “Original Authenticity”.  What do I mean by “Original Authenticity”?   Basically a vintage piece that has not been altered, enhanced or restored and remains is its original released condition when it came off the printing press and sent to the movie studios 60-70-80-90 years ago.   

Today I was looking at an extremely Rare 1935 “Bride of Frankenstein” title lobby card movie poster actually used to promote the horror masterpiece 90 years ago.  When I first saw it, my immediate impulse was to assume the borders and most of the card was Restored.  But when I began to inspect the borders I soon noticed it only had minor pinholes, light smudging, very light scuffs and all the authentic aging you’d,  at minimum, expect to see in a 90 year old poster.    I call these age related markings, collectible assets Signs of true provenance, Museum-worthy imperfections or Archival authenticity.   But the astonishment was, that was it!    

As a matter of fact,  it was these slight age related touches like the sepia patina toning along the border,  the very subtle scuff mark on the left border and what is most exciting,  the original studio/theater stamp on bottom border, “Suitable Only For Adults”, which to me makes this card Priceless!!  Not even Michael Angelo could have recreated that incredible magic. 

Finding a 90 year old movie poster that has miraculously survive in such remarkable condition, is like finding a perfectly preserved fossil in your own backyard.     Yes, this miraculous gem will most likely sell at auction for about $50,000, but how I would Love to hold this incredible piece of history in my hands for a just minute.