Grading Posters

To facilitate communication between sellers and buyers, it is essential that grading terms and their meanings be as standardized and as widely used as possible. The grades and definitions cannot reconcile all the various systems and grading terminology variants. Rather, the attempt is made to try and diminish the controversy with some common-sense grades and definitions that aim to give more precise meaning to the grading language of picture postcards.

At Collectweb and Corné Akkermans Auctions grading is done with the utmost care and slightly conservative. The age, rarity or type of an item is not a consideration in grading. We grade each item by the weaker of the two sides. Additional to the grade of an item we will always mention the extra defects like "stains", "tears", "holes", "staple holes", "grafitti", "tape rests". We also mention if a poster is backed on japon or not.

A+ (Excellent) - This is a flawless example of a poster rarely seen in such fine condition.

A to A- (Very Good) - This is a poster that is in very good condition. The colors are fresh and there is no paper loss. It may have a slight blemish or tear, but this is very marginal and unoticeable. A- indicates that there may be some slight dirt, fold, tear or bubble or other minor restoration, but most unobtrusive.

B to B+ (Good) - This describes a poster in good condition. It may have slight paper loss, but not in the image or in any crucial design area. It may have some restoration but this is not immediately evident. The lines and colors are good, although paper may have yellowed (light stained). B+ designates a poster that is in very good condition.

B to B- (Fair) - This is one in fair condition. The latter determination may be caused by heavier than normal light staining or one or two noticeable repairs.

C+ and Below - This describes a poster in poor condition. The light staining may be more pronounced, the restoration, folds or flaking are more readily visible, and possibly some paper loss has occurred. But for this, the poster is otherwise intact, the image is clear and the colors though possibly faded, are still faithful to the artist's intent. A good part of such a poster may be missing, including some crucial image area: colors and lines so marred that a true appreciation of the artist's intent is difficult, if not impossible.