rearwindowposters

We normally use Canada Post, UPS or Fedex as shipping methods; depending on the destination of the package we will compare their rates and choose the most competitive one.
Once the poster(s) is ready to ship, I will refund the difference ,in case the total is less than the shipping fee you paid.
If you have any preference on the shipping method please let me know.

PLEASE NOTE: Buyers Outside Canada are responsible for duties and taxes.

Grading of the Posters

Like in any object that has aged over time, grading and relative conditions of a poster are essential to consider prior to purchase. Having said that, the conventional grading system (good, very good, fine...) for posters can often be confusing as a poster never really sits fixed in a particular state over a long period of time. Variables such as how a poster is stored, the environment in which it is stored in and how the poster is treated; linen-back vs non linen back can greatly affect the value of a poster.

The grading system we have chosen to use is an Alphabetical system widely used by major auction houses to describe the condition of our posters.

A Posters are in excellent condition. Artwork is undamaged, posters may present minor separations and/or restoration along fold lines. The poster may also (but not always) show tiny tears or pinholes along the border.

B Posters may present minor paper loss, not only along the folds. When mounted on linen all those areas may have had restoration work done.

C Posters may present noticeable paper loss. Artwork may show fading and/or restoration.

Sometimes a plus (+) or a minus (-) sign is placed near the grade in order to emphasize the specific aspects of that particular value.

i.e. A+ indicates that you should expect a poster with totally undamaged artwork, no separation along the folds and no signs of restoration work.


Sizes and other terms.

Vintage movie posters come in many different sizes and this is primarily dependant on the poster's country of origin. For instance, the U.S. used to release movie promo material in a great variety of sizes anywhere from a small window card to a 24 sheet poster, whereas countries such as France only used 4 or 5 different sizes.


The ones are the most common:

United States

Lobby Card 14"x11" (approx. 35x28 cm). Generally printed on light card stock. They were produced in sets of 8; the first card of the set is called "Title Card" where is common to see a design carried on all the rest of sizes. A card tend to be more valuable when they portrait one of the main actors or scenes. Lobby cards are no longer produced.

Window Card 14"x22" (approx.35x56 cm). Normally rolled or flat, windows cards are printed in card stock. Sometimes a blank space is left on the top or the bottom for the exhibitor to fill it with details regarding the movie.

U.S Insert 14"x36" (approx.35x92cm) Normally rolled, although some might have a fold in the middle. They were printed in light card stock, although there were cases where they used heavier stock.

U.S Half Sheet 28"x22" (approx.71x56cm) Normally rolled. They usually present the same art as the title lobby card.

U.S One Sheet The most common format, up to the early 80's its size was 27"x41" (approx. 69x104cm) .Nowadays the size is 27"x40". Issued folded but also could be find rolled.

U.S Three Sheet (81"x41") (approx. 205x104cm). It usually comes separated in 3 pieces. Usually issued folder.

U.S Six Sheet (81"x81") (205x205cm). Like the 3-sheet, it was printed and distributed separated in 6 pieces. Usually issued folded

United Kingdom

British Quad (30"x40")

France

French Grande (120x160cm) (approx.47"x63") Issued folded.
French Small (61x84cm) (approx.24"x33") Issued folded
French Pantalon (61x160cm) (approx. 24"x63")


Italy

Italy 2-Foglio (100x140cm) (approx.39"x55") Most of the times they were distributed folded.
Italy 4-Foglio (140x200cm) (approx.55"x78")Also distributed folded and separated in 2 pieces.
Italy Locandina (33x71cm) (approx. 13"x28") They were normally issued folded in half although some pieces might have been rolled.
Italy Photobusta (35x51cm until the late 50's, then 48x69cm) ( 35x51cm= approx.14"x20") , ( 48x69cm= approx 19"x27")

Germany

Germany A1( 58x84cm) (approx.23"x33")
Germany A0 (33"x46") (approx. 84x117cm)

Spain

Spain One Sheet 70x100cm. (aprox.27"x39")

Other Terms

Re-Release: A poster issued for second or third release of a movie in theatres. These posters might have the same artwork as the original or a totally different one. Normally represented as R-xxxx (where xxxx is a year).