If you really like unique artwork, collecting vintage posters is a great way to acquire a range of unique artwork. Posters often feature designs and artwork that you can't find anywhere else and are created not just for advertising but as a means of artistic expression. If you have a particular interest, such as vintage family dog posters, or another poster style, it helps to understand the factors that will impact the cost you will pay for the poster.

Factor #1: Type of Print

First, you will need to figure out if you are looking at an original, reprint, or reproduction. The poster style with the highest value will be an original poster that was part of the first print run. Sometimes, reprints also hold a little value, but they should generally cost significantly less than an original print. A reproduction doesn't carry any monetary value beyond what it costs to print it. You will want to find out if you are looking at an original, reprint, or reproduction so you can know what the price should be.

Factor #2: Condition

Second, the condition of the poster matters as well. If the poster is appraised, it will often be given a grade, from A to D, that lets you know its condition, with A being the highest grade it can get. The better the condition, the more you will pay for it. The condition is often determined by things such as the presence of wrinkles, stains, fading, and other such things that can occur with paper over the years.

Factor #3: Rarity

The rarity of a poster can sometimes be hard to determine. However, the rarity is often determined by first looking at how many were printed in the first place. If only 1,000 were ever made, any for sale would be rare, but if 100,000 were made, they might not be that rare. The trick, though, is determining how many still exist, which impacts the item's rarity. It can be difficult to impossible to decide on how many of an exact posters still exist, but a look at how many have sold over the years is a good way to gauge this.

Factor #4: Printing Style

Fourth, the printing style will impact the cost. Before World War II, stone lithography was used, which was an intensive process, and thus those types of posters have a higher value. Offset and silkscreen prints tend to cost less than old-school stone lithography, as the printing method itself was easier, and more copies were generally made with these printing methods.

Factor #5: Subject

Finally, the subject of the poster can impact its value. If it is a popular print, such as vintage family dogs, or of a specific sporting event, the value will be higher. If there is a demand for that subject matter, that can significantly impact the price.

When it comes to purchasing a vintage poster, the type of print, condition, rarity, printing press style, and subject matter are all going to impact what you have to pay to obtain this artwork. For more information about Vintage family dog posters or other vintage posters, contact a wintage dealer in your area.