Boston Howard Athenaeum

Stone lithography is a craft that was invented in the late 18th century and was the printing process most often used to produce the beautiful vintage posters of the 1800s and early 1900s.

It works on the principle of oil and water not mixing, a simple concept that produced stunning results. The artist would first draw the artwork and text for the onto a limestone slab with oil based inks (many times a massive slab) and an acidic compound would be used to etch the stone. The image of course, had to be drawn in reverse to produce a proper copy. Once the image has been etched, the limestone would be inked and then dampened with water, which is repelled by the oil based ink wherever the artist has drawn. Each color needed a different slab, and the whole process was laborious and time consuming. Print runs consisted of relatively small quantities, but the results were spectacular.

Some of our posters have been preserved and archived using a method referred to as "linen backing" or "mounted on linen". This is an archival process where the poster has been professionally cleaned, de-acidified, mounted on archival paper and affixed to a high quality artist canvas using a gentle wheat paste. The materials used are reversible, and the process is recognized throughout the industry as a safe and effective way to stabilize and preserve valuable posters. 

Occasionally, restoration work is also completed to reduce wrinkles, repair tears and missing sections, or to remove stains.

Do you have any questions? Don't hesitate to reach out! 

We're happy to answer any of your questions or provide more pictures, our goal is to help you find the perfect art for your walls.  

You can reach us at: contact@authenticvintageposters.com

Text or call: (858) 224-2140‬

We us a widely recognized 6 scale system to grade our posters. 

• MINT - A poster in mint condition looks like it just came off of the press. It will have no blemishes or defects of any kind. It can be folded or rolled, depending on the original packing method (most movie posters were sent folded). 
• NEAR MINT - A poster in near mint condition may have minor imperfections in the border only. The artwork is in excellent condition with no blemishes whatsoever. 
• VERY GOOD - A poster in very good condition may have blemishes in the border and up to approximately one inch of the poster's artwork. There may be small tears in the artwork along the fold lines only. It may also have minor fading. In general, a poster in very good condition may show some wear and often will project a subtle classic vintage vibe without detracting from the artwork. 
• GOOD - A poster in good condition may have tears or small holes that measure no larger than a quarter on the outer edges of the poster's artwork. Pieces of the border may be torn or missing or have holes; there may be mild bleed-through in the outer area of the artwork; there may be mild fading. In general, a poster in good condition will have minor blemishes around the border and into the outer edges of the artwork. The major area of the artwork will be clear of any blemishes. Some people actually prefer this type of poster, which definitely shows some age and character. 
• FAIR - A poster in fair condition may have major blemishes that directly affect the artwork of the poster. The poster is recognizable and the artwork is primarily intact. A poster in fair condition can benefit from professional restoration. 
• POOR - Posters in poor condition will have serious blemishes or tears or in such poor shape that even the slightest handling might add to the damage. In many cases, a poster in this condition should be professionally restored.

Please note that many of our posters will have at least two images, a main image which highlights the graphics and a second image that will always show the entire poster. When we photograph the posters, we will often use magnets to hold the image in place, rest assured these are not pins! You can also zoom in on any image to view the condition in greater detail. We're also happy to send you additional photo close ups of any posters, just let us know.

Collecting and displaying vintage posters became popular almost as the first image was rolling off the press in the late 1800's. The earliest posters were printed using a method called stone lithography, which produced vibrant colors and bold images. Posters soon appeared everywhere in Paris and beyond; it seemed that everyone was interested in the "new media" of the day. Unfortunately, almost all of these posters were destroyed during use on city walls and other outdoor displays, pasted over when the next advertisement was ready. Posters were not meant to survive the long term, making them so valuable and desired today. 

Why Vintage Posters?

Many people use a vintage poster as a focal point in a room, or to compliment (or contrast) with a particular design style. Still others display an image that has personal meaning to them; a sport they love, a place they've been or an event that has special significance. An office, restaurant, or hotel will often use vintage posters to promote their industries, or create an unforgettable and unique atmosphere. The reasons are as varied as the people who buy them, but for each one a vintage poster provides a unique piece of history that is preserved and displayed. 

Original? Reprint? Reproduction? What's the difference?

An original vintage poster is one that was printed and used (or intended to be used) during the time period of it's original purpose. Quite often, successful advertising posters were reprinted for continued use in new campaigns, often over a period of many years and commissioned by the advertiser or the artist, sometimes using the original plates and printing methods, or with minor modifications such as logo alteration. While values will vary, both original posters and vintage reprints have collectible value.

Reproductions, on the other hand, are simply a photographic digital copy of an original poster, and have no collectible value. Authentic Vintage Posters does not sell reproductions. 

All items are carefully hand-packed and shipped in a sturdy tube within 3 business days of payment unless otherwise indicated. Some items which were previously folded or not suitable for rolling will be sent in a flat pack. Please note that an adult signature may be required upon delivery, so we are unable to ship to PO boxes. Unless otherwise noted in the product description or a special offer, shipping rates are as follows:

Posters

• Domestic shipping- USA: $15
• Canada/Mexico: $40
• Europe: $50 USD
• Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $65
  
• Israel: $60

Antique Prints

• Domestic Shipping- USA: $8.00
• Canada/Mexico: $30
• Europe: $35 USD
• Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $40
• Israel: $40

NOTE for International Shipments: Shipping rates do not include international taxes or duties which may be charged by your country's border customs control agency. 

How We Package Your Poster

Our Guarantee

All of our posters are guaranteed to be authentic and as described in the product description to the best of our knowledge and belief, and in good faith. Quite simply, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, simply contact us within 14 days of receipt and we'll gladly accept your return, providing the item is in the same condition as it was sent.

Returns

Our policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it. It must also be sent in the original packaging.

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error. Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery may also be ineligible.

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. Your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within two business days. Original shipping costs are not refundable. 

Shipping

To return your product, you should mail your product to:

Authentic Vintage Posters- RETURNS
7514 Girard Ave
STE 1615
La Jolla, CA 92037

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

If you are returning an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service and purchasing shipping insurance. We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.