When major auction houses like Christie’s or Sotheby’s hold an auction featuring movie posters, they usually attract some of the rarest and most desired items out there. There are a few things you should consider though before consigning or buying from them. They are so big that they can and DO get away with murder.

For Consignors:

● Consignment fee can be up to 30% of the final bid price.
● Usually your items will be auctioned at NO RESERVE, which means they may sell
for a fraction of what you think they are worth.
● There may be other hidden fees in addition to the consignment fee.
● Once you consign the poster to them it may be 6 months or more before
they hold the auction and even longer until you get paid.

For Buyers:

● Buyer premiums can add up to 20% or more to your final bid price.
● There may be hidden fees i.e. sales tax.
● There may be NO CHANCE of returning the item if you are unhappy with it.
● Outrageous shipping costs in many cases, sometimes well over
$100.00 to ship a single unframed poster.
● Photos on line and in catalogs may have been digitally touched up/altered,
in many cases disguising defects.
● For restored/linen backed posters, their descriptions can sometimes be
vague and misleading.
● Confirmed cases of shilling and/or auction house employees bidding on items.
● Their grading can be VERY generous.