User Guide: How to Authenticate Genuine Vintage Posters & Identify Forgeries

 

Collecting vintage posters is both an art and a science. With the rise of reproductions and forgeries, it’s essential to know how to distinguish genuine vintage posters from fakes. This guide provides key authentication techniques to help collectors make informed purchases.

1. Examine the Paper
Authentic vintage posters were printed on specific paper types depending on their era. Older posters (pre-1940s) were often printed on thin, high-quality paper, while mid-century posters (1940s–1970s) used slightly thicker stock. Key indicators include:
•    Aged Appearance: Genuine posters will show natural signs of aging, such as slight yellowing, edge wear, or minor creasing.
•    Texture & Weight: Vintage posters typically have a specific texture; for example, lobby cards and inserts were often printed on heavier cardstock.
•    Watermarks & Publisher Marks: Some posters may contain watermarks or markings from the original printing studio.

2. Check the Printing Techniques
Different time periods and studios used unique printing methods that can help authenticate a poster:
•    Stone Lithography (Pre-1940s): Older posters, especially from the silent film era, were printed using stone lithography, which results in rich, layered colors with visible texture.
•    Offset Printing (1940s–1980s): Most posters from this era were created using offset printing, characterized by dot matrix patterns when viewed under magnification.
•    Screen Printing (Modern Reprints): Many modern reproductions use screen printing, which lacks the crisp detail of vintage methods.

3. Inspect the Fold Lines
Most original posters were shipped folded from the studio, particularly pre-1980s releases. Signs of authenticity include:
•    Consistent Fold Patterns: Older posters often have tri-fold or quad-fold creases that align with known industry practices.
•    Aging at Fold Lines: Over time, original fold lines may show slight discoloration, whereas newer fakes often have artificially “distressed” folds.

4. Verify the Dimensions
Vintage movie posters followed standardized sizes (e.g., One-Sheet 27” x 41”, Half-Sheet 22” x 28”). Many modern reprints slightly alter the dimensions. Always measure your poster against known industry standards.

5. Research the Printer & Studio Marks
Authentic posters often include printer marks, studio logos, or copyright notices. Common elements to look for:
•    National Screen Service (NSS) Numbers: U.S. posters from the 1930s–1980s often have an NSS number printed in the lower corner.
•    Studio Logos & Date Codes: Original prints often include small copyright text and a date that matches the film’s release.
•    Edge Notations: Many authentic posters have small text or printer codes along the edge or bottom border.

6. Use Black Light Testing
A UV black light can reveal key details:
•    Vintage Paper Will Not Glow: Older paper does not contain modern optical brighteners, so it will appear dull under UV light.
•    Modern Reproductions Glow Brightly: If the poster paper fluoresces under black light, it is likely a reproduction.

7. Compare to Archival References
Compare your poster against high-resolution images of known originals. Online archives, collector forums, and auction house catalogs provide excellent reference materials.

8. Seek Expert Authentication
If in doubt, consult a professional. Reputable auction houses, appraisers, and dealers can verify authenticity. Some collectors also rely on linen-backing specialists, who handle vintage posters and can spot inconsistencies.
By following these guidelines, collectors can better protect themselves from purchasing fakes and confidently invest in authentic vintage posters. Happy collecting!

9.  Experience
About 35 years ago I was at an art gallery and was introduced to a Picasso Expert and thus asked him,  “how can you tell what’s real or fake”.   His response, “one word, .. Experience”.  After you've looked at hundreds or thousands of original works of art, you’ll begin to know what I mean.    Today, I know what that means.  As a result, I've received rare valuable posters, photos and art in the mail and immediately knew when I touched it, and got first sight of it, that it was suspicious.   In the art and high value collectibles world its often referred to by seasoned collectors as “the Eye”.     Ironically, many dealers that've been in the business for 40 years Never acquired it.   On the other hand, some relatively young dealers have an innate instinct.   And, I've had the priviledge of meeting some these rare extraordinary individuals.    

The Statue That Didn't Look Right

In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell recounts the story of the Getty kouros, a supposed ancient Greek statue that was almost instantly identified as a forgery by experts—despite passing extensive scientific tests.

In the 1980s, the J. Paul Getty Museum was offered a kouros, a statue resembling those from ancient Greece. The museum conducted thorough scientific analysis, including geological tests on the marble, and concluded that the statue was authentic. After 14 months of examination, they purchased it for nearly $10 million.

However, when several art historians and experts saw the kouros for the first time, their reactions were immediate and unsettling. Federico Zeri, an Italian art historian, noticed that the statue’s fingernails didn’t look right. Evelyn Harrison, a Greek sculpture expert, had an instant reaction that something was “off” and described the statue as looking “fresh.” Another expert, Thomas Hoving, later said that the kouros gave him a feeling of wrongness, like a fake smile.

These experts couldn't initially explain why they doubted the kouros’ authenticity, but their instinctual reactions—what Gladwell calls thin-slicing, the brain’s ability to make snap judgments based on subtle cues—proved correct. Further investigation revealed discrepancies in the statue’s provenance (its history of ownership), and later research suggested that the surface weathering on the marble had been artificially created. The kouros was likely a modern forgery.

This story illustrates how experts, through years of experience, can recognize authenticity in an instant—even when scientific tests suggest otherwise.