How do I know if I got ripped off?

[calvinco2001]

Our family owns quite a few concert posters as my oldest sons are musicians and have attended many. I've also ordered from this site as well as ebay and other private sellers.

I just received 4 posters from an ebay seller with a very high, good rating but I believe based on my personal knowledge of these things that these have simply been copied on Office Max-type paper. Any way to know for sure?

[Josh Rickun]

touch em.

[caribou]

what posters are they? someone around here might have an idea if they were originally done as xerox copies, or if they were screenprinted.

[phoondaddy]

as opposed to what? Were they advertised as screenprinted posters? or fliers?

[Rob]

yeah, which posters?

[Josh Rickun]

didja touchem yet?

[ImJustRickG]

Yes, you were ripped off.

There, I said it.

[DenisMutter]

size of poster is a dead giveaway & post pix please.

also, feel free to purchase from our classifieds with confidence.

[vastagh]

what titles?

lets see the goods. post pics.

[calvinco2001]

Okay, I hate to post such a long story, but this is the official description/disclaimer written by the seller. Though he has an extremely high rating I think it's still "bull". One I ordered was a Madeski, Martin and Wood and it's pictured on a white background and came on blue. They are all on the colors of paper you typically get at an office store (the goldenrod, the light blue, light green, etc. Is it my fault for missing the fine print about them all being 11x17 "telephone pole" type copies? I'll try and post pics.

From the seller:
Please read the entire description and email or call with questions prior to bidding on this item. All items are the original first printing in Near Mint condition or better (no major flaws such as pinholes, tears, creases etc.) unless otherwise stated. Only one shipping charge will apply for those winning multiple items. Not just a dealer, we maintain one of the world’s largest archives of this type of material for documentation purposes.

All items are the original first printing in Near Mint condition or better (no major flaws such as pinholes, tears, creases etc.) unless otherwise stated.

****This original 11x17 inch telephone pole poster was printed to advertise Femi Kuti Daara J 7/29/05 at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR and 7/30/05 at the Showbox in Seattle, WA. This type of poster is printed in a small run, most which is stapled to telephone poles, taped in store windows etc. Very few survive in unused condition.****

Photo below is blurred, actual item is sharp & crisp. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. We will replace or refund any item within 30 days of purchase, contact us prior to returning items.


A FEW WORDS ON CONTEMPORARY CONCERT POSTERS:
Today’s concert posters and handbills are simply the newest in a long and colorful history of entertainment posters beginning with the letterpress style vaudeville broadsides produced to advertise events at the turn of the century. From there we go to the French Art Nouveau posters of the 1920’s, the boxing style posters of the 1950’s, and on up to the Fillmore posters of the Sixties and Seventies.

The newest wave began with the “cut and paste” styles of the late 1970’s punk scene, and exploded with the mid-eighties popularity of Frank Kozik’s silkscreen monstrosities. We are now witnessing the most extensive poster scene since the advent of music with quality posters being commissioned for events large and small, ranging in design from simple and elegant to explosive and angry. There are many ongoing series such as the New Fillmore & Electric Factory, as well as many artist specific series. All are printed in limited editions, which are actually much smaller than in previous eras. For example, a large run these days is around 1000 prints, where as many Fillmore Era posters were printed in runs of around 3000 prints. These posters are only becoming more relevent as the traditional visual elements of music are disappearing with the decline of record album cover art from the LP, to the Compact Disc ( CD ), to the MP3 and so on. Traditionally, the posters also give other relevent information such as price of tickets, venue information, sponsors and will often display an era photograph of the performers during periods when they were performing but not recording.

At Concertposterart we concentrate on officially commissioned works produced to advertise the event, though some of the material may also have been used for commemorative purposes. All of the pieces we present are the original first printing. Not just a dealer, we maintain one of the world’s largest archives of this type of material.

While documentation of the newer material is still in its infancy, you can bet that the cultural value of the material will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. In fact, certain areas of the current memorabilia scene are quickly chasing the values of the earlier material, now that a base has been established through a 100 year history of ongoing desirability.