The Basics — Vintage Movie Posters Forum

Looking for a Truly Professional Database Solution (Post-iCollect Disaster)

finepostervault — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:13:25 +0000

After a recent CSV import incident, I learned the hard way that my current setup is not robust enough for what has become a serious collection (386 items and growing).

I am now looking for suggestions for a professional-grade database solution to manage and secure a vintage movie poster collection properly.

What I need:

Stable local database (not purely cloud-dependent)
Full control over image storage (original high-res files, not just thumbnails)
Clear separation between metadata and image files
Reliable backup strategy (Time Machine compatible, ideally redundant)
Bulk import/export (CSV is fine, but without destructive overwrite risks)
Ideally customizable fields
Long-term sustainability (I do not want to migrate again in five years)

This is not about a casual hobby spreadsheet. I want something archival, structured, and technically sound.

Has anyone here moved beyond iCollect or similar collector apps?
FileMaker? Airtable? Custom SQL? Dedicated collection software?

I would appreciate concrete recommendations and real-world experiences.

Thanks!

Let's Wake the Sleeping Giant: Ideas for Making Vintage Movie Posters Famous

finepostervault — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:50:02 +0000

Hi everyone,

I recently re-read our big 2020 thread “What is wrong with our hobby?” started by Charlie and wanted to give an honest 2026 status update – and to share some concrete ideas on how we might finally move this hobby forward together.

Where we stand right now

The good news:

- The broader vintage poster market continues to grow steadily (recent reports show around 6% CAGR), thanks to nostalgia, streaming culture and people craving real physical film art.

- Auction houses like Heritage Auctions keep delivering important pieces and good visibility at the high end.

- Trusted dealers such as Bruce at eMoviePoster.com and a handful of other long-standing names continue to set a high standard for authenticity, provenance and customer service.

The challenges that remain:

- Our core community is still relatively small and somewhat insular.

- The constant flood of fakes and high-quality reproductions on platforms like eBay scares away many potential new collectors – too many people get burned once and walk away forever.

- The link between true scarcity and actual market prices still feels inconsistent across titles, countries and eras.

- Everyday practical issues (proper storage, professional linen-backing, safe shipping, nice display) make the hobby less approachable than it should be.

We have world-class artwork, incredible cultural stories and perfect timing. It still very much feels like a sleeping giant.

Ideas for a way forward – A possible community roadmap (“Poster Fame 2030”)

Instead of just talking about the problems again, here are some structured ideas that could significantly change the game over the next few years. These are not set in stone – they are starting points for open discussion, especially with input from experienced collectors and dealers.

1. Trust & Anti-Fake – Micro-ID / Invisible Fingerprint Technology

Use tiny Microdots (under 2 mm, completely invisible to the naked eye) that contain a unique serial number. They can be applied discreetly to the back of a poster (ideally during restoration or linen-backing).

We could build a shared, secure “VMP MicroRegistry” linking each code to provenance, photos and ownership history. Authentication would then be quick and reliable with just a simple loupe or phone macro lens.

This technology is already proven in sports memorabilia and luxury goods. Trusted dealers like Bruce could offer it as an optional premium service.

2. Community, Content & Visibility

- Set up a proper Discord server for daily interaction, Show & Tell and knowledge sharing.

- Create engaging short-form content on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube – “Poster Stories”, why certain pieces are rare, real auction histories etc.

- Run a #PosterFame campaign to reach film fans and interior-design enthusiasts outside our current bubble.

3. Professionalization & Platform Protection

- Strengthen a network of “Trusted & Micro-ID Verified” dealers.

- Work toward better grading standards and public population reports.

- Start or support a community petition directed at eBay and other major platforms, asking for stronger verification tools and tougher action against obvious fakes and reproductions being sold as originals.

What this would mean – especially for those who own originals or want to buy authentic ones

For current owners of genuine vintage posters:

- Permanent, tamper-proof proof of authenticity that clearly separates your pieces from fakes.

- Noticeable increase in market value and liquidity (verified pieces typically command substantial premiums).

- Greater peace of mind when displaying, insuring or eventually selling.

- Protection against the market being diluted by reproductions.

- Your collection gains prestige and is taken more seriously as part of a professionalized field.

For people who want to start buying originals:

- Dramatically reduced risk of getting scammed or disappointed.

- Confidence that their purchase is genuine and has solid provenance.

- A much more welcoming and trustworthy entry into the hobby.

- Stronger long-term investment potential in a more credible and growing market.

These ideas build directly on the excellent foundation that people like Bruce have been creating for years. They are meant to scale the positive aspects and fix the biggest pain points together.

I’m happy to help coordinate – researching Micro-ID suppliers, drafting the petition text, setting up the Discord etc. – but this only makes sense as a real community effort.

What do you think?

- Would a Micro-ID / invisible fingerprint system interest you (as owner or buyer)?

- Should we move forward with a petition to platforms about fakes?

- Would you join a new Discord server?

- Any other ideas or concerns?

Especially curious to hear from Bruce at eMoviePoster.com, the team at Heritage Auctions and other long-time collectors and dealers.

Let’s have an open and constructive discussion.

Best regards,

Finepostervault

(wrote this with the Help of Grok)

Hard Stop - Bleaching and Paperbacking

CQ_Link — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:09:21 +0000

After mixed results with bleaching and paperbacking, I'll need to regroup and ask the experts here to chime in to where my approach went sideways.

First off, bleaching/ lightening went fairly well. As for trying Charlie's Holytex/ Masa (or Mulberry in my case) and poster paperbacking where each medium is wheat pasted in sequence to a flat surface (in my case a large, flat formica table) - I struggled with the process a bit. I tried paper backing a movie insert and a lobby card (LC). The insert ended up with a number of small bubbles in the paper back. The LC had no bubbles but I somewhat ruined the ink when I tried to clean some of the excess wheat pasted off the card.

Bleaching summary:

Searched the web and figured out how to mix up a 0.35 Calcium Hypochlorite solution (found a formula on one the conservation sites). I measured out 3.0 grams of the powder and mixed it with approx. 700ml distilled water (I think I used distilled water - can't recall. I'll take better notes next time).
AFTER deacidifying (which really helped getting the dirt off the poster and lightened it), I sprayed the solution on both sides of the poster and sandwiched it between Mylar for five minutes.
Rinsed with our somewhat hard tap water
Final rinse with distilled water (heavy spray with distilled water

As mentioned, both the insert poster and the LC came out great. The deacidifaction worked wonders and the bleaching really added to the imporved appearance. I'll post before and after pictures on my next attept.

If I were to do it over, I'd likely go with a 0.50 solution, instead of the 0.35 solution. For my first bleaching I wanted to be somewhat conservative.

Paperbacking summary (here's where I struggled):

Pasted Holytex to a large, flat formica tabletop (Charlie posted videos of him removing his paperbacked piece using this method)
Applied wheat paste to the Holytex
Placed 30g mulberry (same thickness used for my first paperbacking attempt with an old Doors concert poster) to the Holytex
Had difficulty laying the mulberry. Numerous folds which required lifting and replacing the Mulberry down several times to get it flat. Used a squeegee to get it flat but after working with it for a while, I got it flat. the lightweight Mulberry ripped a few times. While the Mulberry is 30g, it did provide a fairly still backing for the Doors poster. Others can chime in as to whether 30g is thick enough for an insert, 1/2 sheet or one sheet.
Applied wheat paste to the Mulberry
Lightly sprayed the backs of the insert and the LC with tap water
Struggled again laying the insert onto the Mulberry. Lots of air pockets and wrinkles on the insert and the LC. Maybe I shouldn't have sprayed the insert and the LC with water before laying it down???
Forgot Charlie's advice NOT to use a sponge to remove anything off a wet poster. I tried to remove excess wheat paste off the LC and the sponge removed the ink in places. As Charlie mentioned, while the Posterfix guy can be seen doing it, my limited experience says "don't do it."
I noted a number of air pockets between the insert and LC and the Mulberry
Used a squeegee, working inside out, to remove the air pockets I could see. As it turned out, I couldn't see many of them.
Noted some small wrinkles on the LC
Let everything dry for two days
Using a cake pallet knife (bought a cheap set off Amazon), removed the Holytex/ Mulberry/ poster sandwich off the table
Easily peeled the Holytex off the paperbacked poster (can the Holytex be used again?)
LOTS of small air pockets between the insert and Mulberry. LC was OK. I'm guessing I did not apply enough wheat paste? Not sure why there were so many small air pockets on the insert. I had no air pockets on the LC and the old Doors poster
After they were dry, as I did with the Doors poster, I placed them in my Seal Dry Press at approx. 175(F)
Both flattened nicely. Just like the Doors poster
Paperbacking peeled off one corner of the insert. No peeling on the LC.

As mentioned, I struggled to lay the Mulberry and the insert and LC flat. I encountered Mulberry folds and overlapping which took a fair bot of time to straighten out. Again, not sure if 30g Mulberry is thick enough.

Encountered wrinkles and air pockets when trying to lay the posters down. Not sure if I used enough wheat paste on the Mulberry when I laid the posters down. Not sure if I should have sprayed the backs of the posters with water before laying them down. This seemed to add to the wrinkling problem.

Using a dry press at low heat WILL remove air pockets but may have contributed to the paperbacking peeling off the insert. Again, I may have not used enough wheat paste. I'll need to review guidance on this site and watch the Posterfix videos to get a better feel on how much wheat paste to use (if that's the problem with the peeling).

Don't use a sponge on a wet poster!

I would be concerned about using a 0.50 bleach solution, however, as others have noted, the deacidifaction process does a great job of cleaning.

I'll take pics and try to create a video or two on my next attempt.

PLEASE chime in if you have any insight as to how I can improve.

Bleach Solution Formula for Posters Needed

CQ_Link — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 20:31:46 +0000

If anyone could share what bleach chemicals they're using, along with concentrations, bath/ immersion times and wash intervals, I'd be interested. I've ChloramineT and Calcium Hypochlorite.

I'm guessing Charlie and a few other veterans provided the mix/ related info in PMs somewhere along the line. I see bits and pieces of what what I'm looking for but that's it.

My "test case" doesn't really need a bleaching. The deacidification advice offered here worked very well. I likely just need to spot treat a few areas of the Lobby Card (LC) I'm working on, however, I'd like to try a very conservative bleach job on the whole thing.

Cheers!

Planning when to liquidate

jayn_j — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 18:17:00 +0000

I, like many are getting old. Bruce has posted a couple of times that at some point, it is only fair to liquidate most of your collection and not stick it to your kids to deal with.

To that end, I ran across this interesting article on "Swedish Death Cleaning" that seems to apply.

https://www.treehugger.com/cleaning-organizing/swedish-death-cleaning-new-decluttering-trend.html

Of course, I am still collecting at 68, but I am slowing down and being more selective. Soon, I am going to need to be satisfied with what I have and start selling it off. Pick a few items for display, a few that the kids want, and just shed the rest. I think a trip to West Plains, MO may be in the cards in the next couple of years.

The Next Generation of Poster Collectors.

Matt — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 06:45:00 +0000

First off, why put this topic in "The Basics" category?

Simple, it's a topic that comes down to one's planning of the future. How many times have you thought, "if only I had a crystal ball" I still think this today. BUT how do you think the younger generation will perceive the value of posters past.

One suggestion is that websites like Bruce's will influence that and I agree but there are sooo many factors like supply and demand that Dave mentioned.

So what are your thoughts?

A list of some of the items we think ALL movie paper collectors should strongly consider owning

Bruce — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 00:32:00 +0000

At eMoviePoster, we are often contacted by collectors with various concerns or requests that pertain to collecting movie paper such as "how can I protect the tear in my poster without restoration", "how can I safely remove this piece of tape", "how can I more easily open packages", etc.

So we thought it would be helpful to make a list of some of the items we think ALL movie paper collectors should strongly consider owning:

*Lineco Document Repair Tape and Lineco Transparent Mending Tissue - This is tape that is safe for use on movie paper. You can use it on the back of items to secure tears.

*Bestine - This is a solvent that can dissolve the sticky part of tape making the tape easily removed without damage to movie paper and is therefore super useful in removing tape from older posters, and also can "save the day" if you accidentally get tape stuck to a poster when removing it from a package.

NOTE: This is a highly flammable and dangerous substance and should only be used in a well ventilated area, and ONLY if you are at least somewhat "handy" and will be EXTREMELY careful using it. Be sure to read ALL of the manufacture's warnings before use.

*A utility knife, Xacto knife, or similar - This is wonderful for opening well packed packages (such as those eMoviePoster.com uses). NOTE: You should always cut with care as these knives are extremely sharp and WILL cut through several pieces of cardboard with ease, and can also cut into YOU with even greater ease. You definitely do NOT want to accidentally cut your movie paper (or yourself)!

*A REALLY strong light (like 400 watts or stronger) - This is wonderful if you own or are considering buying restored items. When you hold those items up before a light source like this, you will likely be able to practically "see" right through the linen or paper backing, and you can likely see the extent of the restoration.

You will need some practice to know how to interpret what you see in some cases, but in many cases it will be very obvious (like where a large hole was recreated by being painted over). But be prepared to be shocked in some cases, because some auctions describe some items as having "minor fold and border restoration", when the actual restoration is far greater, because they are counting on the buyers not being knowledgeable to know the difference.

And also, know that if an item (usually a window card, half-sheet or insert) is backed onto a heavy board backing, you likely can't get a light bright enough to shine through it, but just the fact that this kind of restoration was performed is almost a guarantee that the restoration was extensive. And also, when acrylic paint is used, you also may have trouble seeing "through it", but again, just the fact that this kind of restoration was performed is almost a guarantee that the restoration was extensive.

And it is not that you shouldn't buy restored items, just that you should be accurately informed as to how much restoration the item has had, either by the seller, or by you, examining the item in the way described above. Once you know the truth, you can better decide how much to pay.

*A map file or other storage equipment - As we all know, movie paper can be very valuable, so why not store it in a way that best protects your investment? A map file is a great way to do this if you have space because it allows you to store one-sheet-size and smaller posters unfolded and flat. Boxes or tubes are also acceptable if you don't have the space (or funds) for a large map file.

--for more information about storage, please go the following link: Did you know... that many people have different views on how to best store their movie paper collection?

*A digital camera or phone with a built-in camera - This is an invaluable tool for when you want to get advice from someone online about your posters or share images of your favorite posters with the world OR if you want to offer items for sale

*Spreadsheet or database software - A great tool for cataloging one's collection (and there are free ones such as LibreOffice or GoogleDocs). You will have to have a little higher level of computer expertise to easily use such software (although, we hear GoogleDocs makes things fairly easy), but enlisting the help of a "computer nerd" family member can get you on the path to using this software. You may also be able to find commercial "collection" software to aid you in cataloging your collection, but we don't know of any good software that is specifically dedicated to movie paper.

NOTE: Copies of the last two items above (digital photos of your collection AND your collection list in your online software) need to be stored somewhere completely separate from your collection! Otherwise in the event of a disaster, you will not have proof of what you owned, but if you DO have both of these, you will have an excellent chance of filing (and collecting) on an insurance claim.

THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM EMOVIEPOSTER!

Certifcate of Authenticity

theartofmovieposters — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 01:53:00 +0000

So I just received a couple of newish one sheets I have had my eye on for a while.

I open the tube and taped to the package was Certificate of Authenticity for each poster.

When did this become a thing for movie posters????

I feel sorry for dealers if this is what they now have to resort to, to make buyers happy!

MoviePosterCollectors.guide Movie Poster Images Database/Albums/Webpages

HereComesMongo — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:14:00 +0000

So over the years I've compiled:

40+ FB photo MP albums:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MoviePosterCollectors/photos/?tab=albums

******

20 MP image webpages:

http://moviepostercollectors.guide/Showcases.html

******

I'll be updating many of them and posting updates in this thread.

Graded Lobby Card

jayn_j — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:16:00 +0000

As I posted here, I recently won the Flying Down to Rio Fred/Ginger lobby card. It probably will be a couple of weeks before I see it as Heritage is much better at taking money than it is in shipping. I guess Bruce and Phil have spoiled me.

Here's the deal though. The card has been slabbed and graded. It was graded at 6.0. IMO, that's a 'don't sweat much' type grading. The poster has some slight aging on the borders, 3 pinholes on the top and a 1' tear on the right side.

I am thinking the 6.0 grading is too harsh and actually hurts value of the poster. I am wondering about breaking the seal and sending the card out for minor restoration to fix the tear and fill the pinholes.

Opinions?

While we are at it, what are your opinions on slabbing lobbies in general? I personally see little value unless it is for authentication of something that is often counterfitted.

The Poll To End All Polls

David — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 21:37:00 +0000

A Poll to Ask Should We Run A Poll to find the Most Popular Posters by Country of All Time Poll

David — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:09:00 +0000

Australia Post online tracking

theartofmovieposters — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 20:55:00 +0000

How bad is the tracking information on the Australia Post site?

I sent something express post, so you would think tracking information would be better online right?

No...worse than standard shipping.

I have to log on to the destination country postal site to see that my parcel made it to the right country, and should be delivered in the next day or two.

What does Australia Post tell me? We have your parcel...no further movement.

FFS!

Online Research

David — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:00:00 +0000

Great one that has come up in conversations elsewhere:

http://mediahistoryproject.org/

Need some advice on a poster I picked up.

Apip — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:45:00 +0000

Afternoon all,

I collect antiques and vintage things and came across this today and had to buy it and I wondered if you guys and girls could help me out.

I picked up a massive 2.2 meter x 1.8 meter Spanish version of To Hell and Back movie poster staring Audi Murphy. Although not in perfect condition, its an amazing piece, but not one my wife would allow me to hang at home. In fact you would have to have some pretty big walls for this one.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vplnep9x81b2zx7/20150309_163338.jpg?dl=0

What is strange is that some if it is hand painted! It looks like it was an original poster for 'To Hell and Back' (I can see the original text through the paint), but then for the Spanish market the Regreso del infierno and the surrounding area has been hand painted over the top. Would this be a normal thing to do?

Also it has brown paper around the edges. I guess this would be to protect and then removed when being hung.

Any more info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Phil

Zulu Australian 1 sheet

zulucollector — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 17:03:00 +0000

Hi,

I recently bought this Aussie 1 sheet from a dealer in America - this is the first and only 1 I've ever seen - how common is it? - Australian poster with only British newpaper quotes....I'm presuming rare and unusual.

Henry