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5
WHYTES
SINCE 1783
,
INTRODUCTION
We are pleased to present the largest collection of
vintage movie posters ever offered at auction in
Ireland. This collection was formed by a family
member of the present owner. He sourced them from
cinemas in Ireland, and many of the 1940s to 1960s
posters bear censorship, (see lot 317B). There are
many rare and desirable posters included, and also
many little known titles which will appeal to both
specialists and those to whom these movies have a
special significance.
All the posters in this collection were actually used in
cinemas in cities and towns in Ireland. The posters
moved with the films and thus could have been
shown in dozens of cinemas before they went into this
collection. All are folded and minor flaws that are
common include handling wear, fold wear, creases,
wrinkles, pinholes, tears, stains, writing, tape, etc.
Some of the terms used to describe poster condition
are: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine,
Near Mint, and Mint. The term “about” means almost,
e.g. “about fine” means almost or near fine.
MINT: Item is “as new” or in the same condition as the
day it was made. The item may or may not literally be
in “perfect” condition, but it does exhibit an amazing
state of preservation with virtually no perceptible
flaws of any kind, other than very minor flaws that
may have occurred during the printing process.
NEAR MINT: Superb. Unused or very carefully used, but
with some minor storage defect, one pinhole in each
corner or some other very minor flaw on an otherwise
unused poster. Item may be in “never-used” condition
or may have been used in the cinema, but was
carefully preserved after use.
VERY FINE: Used in the cinema, but carefully
preserved after use. An above-average poster
exhibiting minimal signs of use. Bright and clean, no
major defects but possible accumulation of several
minor ones, such as a small border chip, handful of
small pinholes in border or edge tears, aging on older
pieces, paper sightly yellowed but not brown, minimal
or slight restoration if professionally done, folds or
creases, not soiled, clean and bright, no frontal tape
repairs, image area undamaged, not more than two
minor tears less than 1” in length.
FINE: Still a very nicely preserved item. Same as Very
Fine but may have one or two unsightly flaws, or
heavier than normal fold wear or pinholes, or small
pieces of tape on a corner, minor stains, and small
paper loss.
VERY GOOD: The typical used poster in average
condition. A sound example, although with wear and
defects to be expected of an item that was intended
to be used and re-used. Can have slight browning of
paper but not brittleness or flaking; it may also have a
small amount of writing, edge tears, stains, or other
signs of average use, minor soiling, minor fold tears,
also normal folds, creases, professional major
restoration, tape marks, heavy fold wear, unusually
large number of pinholes or staple holes, taped
corners or fold lines reinforced with tape, minor tears,
possibly minor paper loss (pieces missing) edge
fraying and so on.
GOOD to VERY GOOD: A heavily-worn item, showing
significant signs of use such as multiple pinholes or
staple holes, tape, tears, splitting, soiling, pieces
missing, small markings or pen/pencil marks.
GOOD: Below average but still suitable for display.
Heavily used, with significant signs of use that affect
the overall eye appeal of the piece, including missing
pieces, minor defects on the graphics, tape, writing,
tears, numerous pinholes, splitting. Complete, but
graphics are face-worn.
FAIR: Heavily worn, but yet still complete.
POOR to FAIR: An extremely worn, possibly even
incomplete item.
POOR: The lowest grade, representing items in the
lowest possible condition. Heavily damaged, possibly
missing large pieces, possibly brittle and crumbling.
Except for extreme rarities, items in this grade have
little or no value.