Estimation Antique posters

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Antique posters

Do you own any antique posters? Are you curious to know what they are worth? Our Experts can provide an appraisal to give you an estimate of the market price, then help you to ensure the best possible price should you decide to sell.

A work that bears witness to its time

Posters are mainly paper supports intended to inform and express oneself. They are therefore often a medium for advertising, sometimes for propaganda, especially nowadays, they are the fruit of artistic expression. They serve a cause, a government, a company. In all cases the poster is intended to be seen.

Until the 19th century, the poster was mainly intended to inform. Often they communicated the texts of law, and were ordered and produced for a power in place. From the end of the nineteenth century onwards, it also became a means of expression for artists, groups, companies, political and/or protest movements, etc. This is the golden age of the poster.

A poster, if it can be qualified as a work, is temporary: it is part of a context, and quickly becomes “périmée”. All the interest of old posters therefore lies in the particularity of the poster itself: it embodies, years or even centuries later, a state of mind from another time, it is the memory of a bygone era, like an archive. Ancient posters are nowadays prized, considered as “vintage”, they can arouse emotions, sometimes nostalgia, and are a trace of the past.

From an informative function to a means of artistic expression

A poster can be made using several methods: lithography, typography, printing or sometimes drawing and ink. The medium is almost exclusively paper, although its thickness may vary. Several famous artists have devoted themselves to this, such as Toulouse-Lautrec.

Ancient posters can thus have as subject texts of law, propaganda posters (especially during the two world wars), advertising for a sign, an event (such as a world exhibition), sometimes an ancient poster is also a poster of a cinema film. A poster often has drafts or sketches before appearing in its final state. The purpose of the poster is to be effective and to strike the spirits, the goal being most of the time, to convince the public.

Posters began to arouse interest as early as the 20th century among museums and archives, which began to collect and exhibit them. Museums were even created especially for this purpose, such as the Musée de l’Affiche et de la Publicité in Paris, created in 1978.

Old posters are very popular nowadays because of their originality

Interest in old posters is now particularly strong among the general public, and many shops specialising in the sale of these have emerged.

In line with this interest in antique posters, they are increasingly prized and sold on the art market. Prices vary widely, as some can be sold in shops for a few dozen euros, but very historic original posters can reach considerable prices, often several thousand euros. For example, the price of a poster from the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition in Paris exceeds 3,000euros. Records can be reached, for example a poster created at the end of the 19th century by Toulouse-Lautrec Moulin Rouge – La Goulue, which was acquired for more than 300,000euros in 2014 at Christie’s in London.

How do we appraise your antique posters?

Requesting an online valuation of your drawing is simple. You just need to complete our appraisal form with a brief description and some photos. This information will be sent directly to one of our experts who will provide you with a price range and sales advice.

A team of experts and auctioneers

If you own an antique poster, use our online form for an appraisal.

You will then be contacted by a member of our team of experts and auctioneers to give you an independent opinion of the market price. Should you wish to sell your poster, our specialists will also advise you on the various options available for selling at the best price.

Get an online appraisal >