The Real Thing
100% original or nothing — here’s what that promise actually means, and how to tell for yourself.
An original vintage poster isn’t just old — it’s the real, period-printed artifact, produced at the time the film, event, or campaign it advertises actually happened. No reproductions, no reprints, no exceptions. Here’s how we verify that for every poster we sell, and what to look for yourself.
What “original” actually means
A genuine vintage poster was printed in the same era it advertises, using the printing methods of that period — stone lithography for most posters before the 1950s, offset lithography for many after, and silkscreen for some later editions. A reproduction or reprint, by contrast, is a later copy — sometimes printed decades afterward, sometimes with modern digital methods — made to look old but produced with no connection to the original print run.
Neither is inherently worthless, but they’re not the same thing, and the price difference reflects that. Everything we sell is the former.
How to spot an authentic original — a practical checklist
- Paper and printing technique — Under magnification, period lithographs show characteristic ink texture and slight registration imperfections that digital reprints don’t replicate. Modern reprints often show a uniform dot pattern (halftone) that period lithography doesn’t have.
- Size — Original posters were printed to the standard sizes of their era and country (French Grande, US One-Sheet, UK Quad, etc.). Reprints are frequently resized slightly off these standards.
- Fold lines and wear — Many original posters were distributed folded, not rolled — genuine, consistent fold lines (rather than fresh, sharp creases) are a good sign, alongside age-appropriate wear: foxing, minor toning, edge wear consistent with decades of age.
- Printer and publisher credits — Most originals carry small printer or studio credit lines in the margin, consistent with the printer active at that time and place.
- Colour and registration — Period printing rarely achieves perfect registration — slight colour misalignment under close inspection is often a good sign, not a flaw.
None of these signs alone is definitive — authentication is a combination of all of them, plus experience. That’s why every poster we sell goes through our own verification process before listing.
Our authentication process
Every poster we source is inspected on arrival for print method, paper stock, size, and condition against what’s expected for its stated year and origin. Posters with uncertain provenance are researched further before listing, and we disclose condition and any restoration honestly in every listing. If a poster is a later official reprint or restrike rather than an original, we say so clearly — we don’t sell them as vintage originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
An original was printed during the era it advertises; a reprint or reproduction was printed later, sometimes decades afterward, to resemble the original.
Every poster listing includes our assessment of its era, printing method, and condition as part of the verification process above. If you’d like a separate written note of authenticity for insurance, gifting, or resale purposes, just let us know when you order and we’re happy to include one.
If you have any concerns about a poster you’ve received, get in touch as soon as possible so we can help.
Have a Question About a Specific Piece?
Get in touch — we’re happy to talk through provenance on any poster before you buy.