Original One Sheets @ CineMasterpieces.com

Linen backing can dramatically improve the overall appearance of a poster and it can substantially increase its value. It is the preferred archival method used when conserving and/or restoring a poster. Almost any flaw can be fixed so you would never know it was there. Please see full article below for more information.

Please click here for pricing.

The vast majority (greater than 95%) of original vintage movie posters issued before the mid 1980's were issued folded. Most of these posters were used and may have slight wear like pin holes etc.. On the left is a typical folded One Sheet in its natural state, the way it was issued. On the right is how it appears after linen backing. The original folds and any minor defects are made virtually undetectable from normal viewing distance (in most cases). They can still be seen but only upon very close inspection.

Some of our posters have already been Linen Backed (please see article below). Those that haven't, we can have done.

We ONLY use world renowned paper conservation professionals that are considered to be the best in the business. They do the work for all the major movie studios and auction houses around the world.

Please keep in mind that all linen backers are NOT created equal. We have seen some horrible results from those that claimed to be professionals but obviously weren't. DO NOT LET YOUR LOCAL FRAME SHOP ATTEMPT TO DO IT!

If any restoration is done it is usually very minor and involves touching up the fold lines to make them less noticeable. This can actually increase the value.

Any extensive restoration may cost extra.

The process usually takes 2-4 weeks. Prices range from $185.00 for a one sheet, to $695.00 for a six sheet. Please contact us for further details.

Linen Backing is usually reserved for PAPER posters, not cardstock posters like inserts and half sheets. To preserve or PAPER BACK a cardstock poster, please contact us.

Linen Backing and Restoration: How Does It Affect Value?

Linen backing is NOT recommended for newer posters, double sided posters, or for older rolled posters that are still in Near Mint Condition and need no restoration.

For older folded posters: If you don't like fold lines and/or it is not in what you consider "displayable condition", and you purchased it mainly to display and enjoy, and you are not very concerned about its "investment potential", then we recommend you go ahead and have it linen backed and preserved. If you are a die hard movie poster investor/collector, you may want to think twice about having an EX C8 or better condition poster backed. There is a belief among some investor/collectors that EX C8 or better unrestored posters will command a premium over restored/linen backed posters.

If a rare poster has some unsightly flaws, linen backing and restoring it will most likely increase it's value.

If a rare poster is in EX C8 condition or better with no real major unsightly flaws, linen backing will either have almost no affect on its value or slightly decrease its value. This really depends on how rare the poster is.

There are two types of buyers of vintage movie posters: collectors and non collectors. A non collector buys just one or a few posters for a home theater, a gift, or whatever. At least 50% of our sales are to non collectors. We have found that non collectors generally prefer linen backed posters. Most true "Collectors" of vintage movie posters would prefer an unrestored poster over a restored one. Most of these collectors still collect linen backed posters however because many titles are so rare and few have survived in great condition.

The bottom line: Linen backed posters sell better than non linen backed posters because they appeal to both collectors and non collectors. In most cases, you can't go wrong if you have your poster linen backed.

If a poster is ROLLED in NM C9 condition, it probably will not need any additional restoration other than straight linen backing.

If a poster is FOLDED in NM C9 condition, it may need slight additional restoration (most likely, touching up the fold lines).

If a poster is in EX C8 condition, it may need additional restoration. Please call us for details.

Here is another example of what linen backing can do. This is a stunning Italian 39"x55" stone litho from the film "Tread Softly Stranger" starring Diana Dors.

Walt Disney's Donald Duck in "The Hockey Champ".

Here is one last example of what linen backing and restoration can do. This is a highly coveted U.S. one sheet for "Creature From The Black Lagoon". Small pieces that were missing have been completely replaced! Only an expert can tell this was done upon very close inspection.

PRICES FOR LINEN BACKING

FOLDED ONE SHEET 27" x 41"

(OR SIMILAR/SMALLER SIZE LESS THAN 31"X43")

WITH FOLD LINE TOUCH UP AND SLIGHT PAPER RESTORATION $295.00

ROLLED ONE SHEET

STRAIGHT LINEN BACKING ONLY $185.00

(OR SIMILAR/SMALLER SIZE LESS THAN 31"X43")

(OR a folded one sheet with no fold line touch up or restoration)

THREE SHEET $455.00

WITH TYPICAL MINIMAL FOLD LINE TOUCH UP

SIX SHEET $695.00 + Actual shipping (Please call)

FRENCH ONE PANEL $365.00

ITALIAN TWO SHEET $365.00

BRITISH QUAD $245.00

AUSTRALIAN DAYBILL $155.00

RESTORATION, PER HOUR $85.00

PRICES FOR PAPER BACKING

When a poster has been "paperbacked" it has been professionally mounted onto a piece of high quality Japanese rice paper, and then onto a piece of acid-free backing board. Almost all of the posters defects are corrected (or greatly minimized). THIS IS A PROCESS SIMILAR TO "LINEN BACKING", but it is usually reserved for CARD STOCK posters (inserts, half-sheets, lobby cards, and window cards) where the poster remains in a form similar to how it was when it was unbacked (this is personal choice and not a matter of right or wrong).

HALF SHEET 22x28

WITH FOLD LINE TOUCH UP AND SLIGHT PAPER RESTORATION $255.00

(OR SIMILAR/SMALLER SIZE LESS THAN 22"x28")

INSERT 14x36

WITH FOLD LINE TOUCH UP AND SLIGHT PAPER RESTORATION $255.00

(OR SIMILAR/SMALLER SIZE LESS THAN 14"x36")

LOBBY CARD 11x14

WITH TOUCH UP AND SLIGHT PAPER RESTORATION $155.00

WINDOW CARD 14x22

WITH FOLD LINE TOUCH UP AND SLIGHT PAPER RESTORATION $225.00

PLEASE ALLOW 3-5 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF LINEN BACKED AND PAPER BACKED POSTERS.

IF WE ARE ALSO HAVING IT FRAMED PLEASE ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS.

PLEASE CALL FOR PRICES ON ALL OTHER SIZES

RETURN POLICY

POSTERS WE HAVE LINEN BACKED/PAPER BACKED/RESTORED FOR YOU can be returned for any reason, however we will issue you FULL CREDIT ONLY towards the purchase of another poster or posters from us.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS POLICY FOR LINEN BACKED/PAPER BACKED/RESTORED POSTERS?

Once a poster has been restored, it is forever changed. Although the process is usually reversible it is almost never done. There are some collectors who will not buy a restored poster, and they believe any poster that has been restored has lost some of it's value.

Linen Backing: A Method of Poster Conservation

Linen backing can dramatically improve the overall appearance of a poster and it can substantially increase its value. It is an archival poster conservation method where the poster is de-acidified and museum mounted with wheat paste onto acid free Japanese rice paper and adhered to canvas. This process provides stability and prevents possible deterioration. It smoothes and flattens out waves and wrinkles and makes creases and folds much less noticeable (sometimes invisible). If needed, restoration can then be done. Stains can be removed, tears can be repaired, paper can be replaced, and fold lines can be touched up. Almost any flaw can be fixed so you would never know it was there. Once linen backed, a poster is easier to handle, is ready for framing, or it may be rolled for shipping. If not framing a linen backed poster, we recommend storing it flat and not rolled. Should a linen backed poster sustain physical damage in the future, removal of the poster is possible. This cannot be said for most other preservation methods. Framing a poster that has already been linen backed is cheaper than framing one that hasn't been.

When a poster has been linen backed and/or restored, grading the item can be difficult. A poster that was in poor condition could have extensive restoration and appear to be in near mint condition. Only an expert would be able to tell how much restoration was done. If a poster we have has had any restoration, we describe its condition before and after whenever possible.

The value of an expertly restored linen backed poster is enhanced because the poster looks better, will age far less, and is much EASIER TO FRAME. If a poster is linen backed by a less talented restorer, the poster's value is often lessened. The restoration is often noticeable, it often ages poorly, and can be very expensive to reverse.

Buying linen backed posters is a double-edged sword. The plus side is that the poster almost surely looks great (because the restorer almost surely corrected the poster's flaws during the linen backing process) and the poster is now far easier (and far less expensive) to frame, but the down side is that some restorers are so talented that it can be extremely difficult to tell how much restoration a poster has had.

Linen backing is not absolutely necessary for most posters, but for a valuable one it is a good idea because it helps to preserve it. Experts have different opinions on whether a double sided poster should be linen backed or not.

Mounting a poster to foam core is not the same as linen backing. It is next to impossible to reverse the process and most experts consider the poster "damaged".

For posters on cardboard stock like U.S. inserts, lobby cards, and half sheets, PAPER BACKING (see below) is the method of conservation preferred by most professionals BUT ONLY IF THE POSTER IS IN VERY BAD CONDITION. Some poster collectors would never mount a cardboard stock poster to anything at all under any condition.

We have our posters linen backed (and restored if needed) by paper conservation professionals. The people we use are world renowned and considered to be the best in the business. If any restoration is done it is usually very minor and involves touching up the fold lines to make them less noticeable. This can actually increase the value.

We can have any of our unmounted posters linen backed for you. The process usually takes 2-4 weeks. Prices range from $165.00 for a one sheet, to $695.00 for a six sheet. Any restoration may cost extra. Please contact us for further details.

WHAT IS PAPER BACKING?
A poster conservation method. When a poster has been "paperbacked" it has been professionally mounted onto a piece of high quality Japanese rice paper, and then onto a piece of acid-free backing board. During this process, almost all of the posters defects have been corrected (or greatly minimized), and if the backing was done by a talented professional, the poster looks great. THIS IS A PROCESS SIMILAR TO "LINEN BACKING", but it is usually reserved for CARD STOCK posters (inserts, half-sheets, lobby cards, and window cards) where the poster remains in a form similar to how it was when it was unbacked (this is personal choice and not a matter of right or wrong).

WHAT IS STARCH BACKING?
A poster conservation method. When a poster has been starch backed it has been flattened, cleaned and de-acidified. Minor touch up is optional as the fold lines will usually still be noticeable. It is NOT mounted to anything once completed. Recommended only for posters that are in NM condition before the process and those of a strong stock paper with fold lines that are NOT weak.

WHAT IS GEL SIZING?

A proprietary poster conservation method (patent pending). When a poster has gone through the Gel Sizing process, it has been flattened, cleaned and de-acidified. The paper is impregnated with a purified form of sea gelatin which greatly strengthens the paper and physically eliminates fold lines. It is NOT mounted to anything once completed, and the finished poster will remain dimensionally stable even after exposure to changes in atmospheric conditions. A brand new type of conservation pioneered in 2005 by John Davis.