Vintage Posters

Original Vintage Posters

While posters have existed for centuries, the posters that are collected as masterpieces are the colorful artworks that were first developed and quickly became widely popular at the turn of the 20th century. The development of these posters began when Jules Cheret developed the three stone lithographic process, chromolithography, in the 1870’s. This technique allowed the poster designer to use a full palette of colors using three stones of primary colors – red, yellow and blue. The process is difficult and usually not used to make posters today, though the quality has not yet been emulated in modern posters.

Chromolithography allowed artists to make a mass of posters of brilliant artistic quality at a reasonable cost. At first, posters were used for mass marketing. While times changed through the 20th century, so did the posters. The artistic styles of the posters constantly evolved, while their function changed according to the popular movements of the time. Whenever posters were produced, collectors were quick to bring them home. As a result, vintage posters of nearly every era have survived to be bought, sold and traded as memorabilia of a past time.

International Vintage Poster

The modern poster started in Paris as an advertising medium. The posters became very popular and were displayed in abundance, a sight referred to as “art galleries on the street.” Posters also spread to neighboring countries in Europe and eventually to the United States. The posters acquired local themes and styles. Each country had a unique way of using posters. The French and Italian posters are highly artistic and often have acting themes, such as advertising for a play or opera. Russian and American posters are more functional, containing more text and subdued artistic styles.

Vintage Black Light Posters

Black light posters originated during the psychedelic era of the 1960’s when the mind-altering effects of hallucinogens, such as LSD, were used as inspiration for art. These posters were often designed to simulate a psychedelic trip. Many black light posters have colorful and twisted imagery, while the fluorescent effect of the poster enhances the alternative conciseness that the artworks aimed to convey. Black light posters are designed with fluorescent colors. When the poster is place under an ultra violet light, also known as a black light, the fluorescent colors on the poster emit a light wave, making them glow. In tune with the counterculture dynamics of the era, vintage posters often portray narcotics, political statements and rock bands in addition to fantasy themes.