I have to side with Evan on this one. Reproducing classic (and expensive) titles, while providing the ability for those of less-affluent means to own and display these classic images, opens up a future Pandora's box. Years later, with a bit of age on such a reproduction and possibly encased in a frame, there is the very strong potential for fraud.
How often are novice or casual collectors taken in even today by the Portal Publications reprints? And they are clearly marked as repros (that zip code should be a dead giveaway!), not to mention their non-standard size. How often have MoPo'ers warned sellers on eBay that they are selling a 1970's repro rather than the real McCoy? Imagine what will happen if these "fine art prints" start appearing on eBay in 10 years. Removing the NSS info from the bottom is a good idea--or at least printing "reproduction" on the front side of the poster... in indelible ink! :) Reducing the size of these repros from the standard would also be wise. I agree with Evan...with the advances in cheap, high quality digital printing, all a scam artist would need to do to really dupe all of us is to discover a stash of vintage PAPER. At that point the entire hobby would be in very deep doo doo! Sure I like to enjoy the art of posters I could never afford to buy (who wouldn't want a 14X36 Wolf Man hanging on their wall for $29.95??)--but producing exact copies today for such a purpose may have dire consequences for tomorrow's collectors. Scott MoPo List Owner -----Original Message----- From: MoPo List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Evan Zweifel Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 7:11 PM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Now heres something this hobby REALLY needs!! Feel free to read more into my email that was originally presented. However, I was neither confused nor frustrated. Just hoping to start a conversation. Personally, I think that every TV room in world should have a large screen set and an original movie poster on the wall. Furthermore, I think it should be an original -- and if all they have is $15, then it should be "Pan's Labyrinth" or "Brotherhood of War" or "The Host" (this weeks movie recommendations). However, I don't think that every person with photo shop, a printing press and a high speed internet connection can legally start printing up high quality copies of vintage posters. Which is why I asked the first question. If you think it will be a long time before these (or similar) show up on eBay or in your local antique mall no longer clearly marked as reproduction (or framed up nicely so its difficult to tell), you are delusional. Even if this seller has no intention to deceive, he cannot restrict or controll the actions of those who buy from him.Would it be so difficult to make these a little bit smaller or a little bit larger or remove the nss information at the bottom? Finally, If the minty white inserts were of better quality printing, and more appropriate paper, do you think you would be able to tell? I doubt I could. Furthermore, I suspect that there is technology available whereby you could reproduce a vintage 1930s 1-sheet on appropriate paper so that w/o a known original beside it, even a seasoned collector would not be able to detect the forgery. Do you really want to have to get out a magnifying glass and tape measure every time you buy a poster? Ok, so, maybe a little frustrated. Would I deprive the non-collector of the ability to purchase an exact copy for his TV room? Yes. Evan -------------- Original message -------------- From: Susan Heim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jeff and all, Well, in all fairness to Evan, he may have indeed read that they were reproductions and I understand his frustration. There will come a time when printers "perfect" a way to reproduce exactly. Those "minty white" reproduction inserts are pretty darn good and, while most of us collectors can tell the difference, there are a lot of new collectors who buy those daily thinking they are originals. I know because they are calling me for frames. I get many of them coming into my shop with their "rare" Bladerunner or some such insert. They carefully take it out of the tube admonishing me to be very careful while handling it and "it" turns out to be one of those "minty whites". I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I always let them know it is not real!. With reproductions flooding the market you do have to be careful, but as I said before, David Vaughn, who is www.morbidmonster.com, does a beautiful job with his prints and he is no way trying to defraud anyone. As they say, "there is a market for everything". ----- Original Message ----- From: JEFF POTOKAR Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Now heres something this hobby REALLY needs!! i agree, sue..and the thing that is clearly stated on the web site is the fact that he is selling fine reproductions, and nowhere on the site is he trying to "pass off" as legitimate, vintage posters, these items he is selling. that other individual didnt read carefully enough. jeff On Jun 6, 2007, at 9:05 AM, Susan Heim wrote: Hi Evan and all, You have to remember there are more people not in the hobby than in the hobby that still enjoy movies and love the advertising but since they are not collecting don't want to pay original prices. As the largest frame seller on Ebay I ship about 1500 frames a month of which at least 90% of those are going to non collectors that are just decorating a t.v or theater room. I actually know several dealers and collectors who have bought these exact posters just to decorate an office. The gentleman that makes them is a very nice guy and the quality is unbelievable. I have been meaning to order some from him for months and have just been so busy to do it. I have a ton of friends that love the movies but would never get into collecting original movie posters. In the past I have given them a framed up movie poster for a gift and it was also the most exciting gift of the party but it was usually for something current or vintage not of great expense. There would be no way any collector would ever mistake these prints for originals as they are not made on typical card stock or movie poster paper. He also clearly states they are fine art reproductions and this type of thing is common in all types of paper collecting. If you are looking for a high quality reproduction, these are the best I have ever seen. Sue www.hollywoodposterframes.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Evan Zweifel Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 8:02 PM Subject: [MOPO] Now heres something this hobby REALLY needs!! http://www.morbidmonster.com/FineArt/index.html So, is this legal now? will we be seeing these pop up for years on eBay pretending to be legit! At what point will the reproductions become indistinguishable from the originals? Just some musings on a Tuesday evening. BTW: Looking for early Cary Grant 1-sheets (preferably reasonably priced and unbacked). Thanks, Evan Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
