I just had a look at Bruce's preview and I have to say it is pretty
amazing. What surprises me, though, is some of the posters which people
have gone to the expense of having linenbacked, and I wonder at what point
does that become a viable option. I am using EMP sales as an example here,
but I imagine it is the same across the board.
'The Big Hangover' (1950) is listed as 'good to very good' in linen, but
that is a poster which normally sells for around $20-25 in that condition,
folded. As having a poster backed and foldlines retouched by a reputable
restorer would cost at least $120, that means the poster should fetch
around $150 at least, but that is unlikely to be the case. 'Striptease'
(1996), again in very good condition maybe $25, but how much more would you
pay for one linenbacked?
Taking just one example from EMP (though it is not hard to find others) -
'Bite The Bullet' (1985), very good, folded, sold for $4 last year, and one
in similar condition, linenbacked, sold for $28, also last year. That means
the added value for restoration and backing was only $24, probably at least
one fifth of the actual cost. So at what point does the expense become
worthwhile? I appreciate that, as a matter of personal taste, someone may
wish to have a poster framed and displayed to best advantage, and so has it
backed, regardless of actual value, but do they expect that the cost will
be recouped on resale? Really, I am just curious here, as I would only ever
have higher value posters backed.
Anyway, even the prices realised for higher value ones do not necessarily
always reflect the cost of restoration, something which I have gratefully
taken advantage of in the past, and hope I may do so again! Which, I have
to say, make EMP's Signature Auctions quite exciting events (no
remuneration was made by Bruce to have me highlight his listings, but hey,
I'm open to offers!)
Tommy
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