There is a great deal of history behind movie posters and movie poster collecting. Jules Cheret, who created 2 movie posters in
1890’s, was artist given credit for creating first movie posters. By end of first decade of 1900’s, movies had become a great source of public entertainment. In this time period, movie poster would become a standard size known as one sheet measuring 27" x 41".In early days, names of actors did not appear on posters, which movie studios liked, because it meant paying actors less money. It was in this early period in movie history, however, that movie studios realized movie stars were as much of an attraction to moviegoer as movie itself. Thus, movie star was born, and movie posters began showcasing actors’ names along with title of movie.
By 1920’s, golden age of silent movies, movie posters became more artistic and spectacular, with accomplished artists being hired by movie studios to paint portraits of stars for posters. By late 1920’s, movie poster images became sharper due to a new printing process developed by Morgan Litho Company.
In 1930’s, also known in movie industry as "The Golden Age of Movies", another style of movie poster was created, half sheet. Major movies would sometimes get more than two styles. However, due to depression, many movie materials were being created more cheaply, causing a loss of quality in movie posters.
The dawn of World War II in 1941 saw many of movie stars heading off to war and war was major theme of movies at that time. The movie industry cut advertising costs and used cheaper paper for posters due to paper shortage of wartime.
By 1970’s, movie posters used photography, occasionally using drawing and painting styles. Movie posters at this time were being printed on a clay-coated paper, which gave them a glossy finish. Star Wars and Star Trek posters were most popular posters of time and are still collected by many today.
In 1980’s, age of special effects blockbuster, mini sheet was invented, and video stores became popular, thus video store poster was created. Today, reprints of movie posters are mass-produced and sold in many stores or are just a click away on Internet.
There are several types of movie posters. Because of their rarity, avid movie poster collector has concentrated on movie poster or theater art. These are posters that are delivered and displayed by movie theaters and then intended to be thrown away. Another type of movie poster is commercial poster, which is mass-produced for direct sale to public. Video posters are distributed to video rental stores for advertising material. Cable and TV posters are use as promotional material for TV stations for their programming. Like theater art, video posters and cable and TV posters are not produced for public. Although not as valuable as theater art, these types of posters are still popular among collectors. Special promotion posters promote a movie along with a product. Finally, there are anniversary issues, limited editions, and special releases that are released in limited quantities and are gaining favor with theatre art collector. Other types of movie posters include advance posters that promote a movie well ahead of movie's release. The award poster, which indicates that a movie has won an Academy award. The combo poster, advertising two movies instead of just one. The popular double-sided poster that has art on both sides, with artwork reversed on one side of poster. There are featurette posters highlighting short films or cartoons, review posters for when a movie gets a good review, serial posters for movie serials, and special distribution posters.
