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F&M College Library

What's My item Worth?

Researching your WWI Poster

 

Unfortunately, the Archives and Special Collections of Franklin and Marshall College cannot research your WWI poster for you, and will not appraise the value of your WWI poster. The best place for information on your poster is your own local library, a reputable antique poster dealer, or a library holding a large World War I poster collection such as the Library of Congress, or the University of Minnesota Libraries.


General Information on WWI Posters, Artists, and Values:

The following books provide a wealth of knowledge about your WWI poster -

Borkan, Gary A. World War I Posters. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2002.

Rawls, Walton. Wake Up America! World War I and the American Poster. Abbeville Press, 1988.

Theofiles, George. American Posters of World War I. Dafran House Publishers, 1973.


For determining current values/purchasing WWI posters:

The following two online dealers give current (asking) values of WWI posters -

Miscellaneous Man, George Theofiles, proprietor

Rare Antique Posters, Gary Borkan, proprietor

Although these sources may be helpful, one must remember that various factors such as condition, subject, scarcity, demand, etc., all play a part in determining value.


How to care for your poster:

The Northeast Document Conservation Center and The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts have helpful online advice for caring for paper and photographic artifacts.

For the services of a professional poster conservator, please link to the online directory of the American Institute for Conservation of Art and Historic Works

or visit

Poster Conservation, Linen Backing and Restoration Services


Purchasing reproductions:

Inexpensive reproductions of popular WWI and WWII posters can be purchased from several sources. The Library of CongressNational Archives and several commercial sources such as Allposters.com have reproductions for sale.

This page is not intended as a definitive guide or endorsement of any particular publication, source, or internet site. It is intended solely as a aide to research that will provide ideas where to start looking for information about your poster.