Collectors have their choice of many excellent options
Every day we speak with collectors that are sold on the safety, security and liquidity that accompanies every vintage concert poster that has been independently authenticated and graded by CGC.
One common question that always gets asked is: "I love CGC graded concert posters but how do I frame and display them? To our current knowledge, the collector has 3 different options as follows:
This amazing BG-8 CGC graded concert poster has been framed with the holder fully visible.
1) Remove the poster from the holder and frame as usual. The main benefit to buying CGC graded and authenticated posters is you gain far greater confidence that you are getting exactly what you paid for.
Let's face it, there are many different printings for most issues, there are counterfeit and bootleg posters floating around, and a HUGE percentage of surviving posters have professional restoration that can only be detected by a trained eye.
In today's quality conscious market where originality is highly prized, value is directly correlated to state of preservation. Very small differences in quality can mean HUGE differences in price. Given these market realities, why would you want to take someone's word for the condition a poster is in when that person has a direct conflict of interest? That's why PAE has a policy of ONLY selling CGC graded concert posters, if the issue we are selling is currently eligible for CGC's service.
Given these facts, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a CGC graded poster so you can be confident you are actually getting what you paid for. The poster can then be removed from the holder and professionally framed using museum quality archival materials and procedures. At least with this option, you won't find yourself many years down the road, ready to sell, and find out THEN that you were sold something that was mis-represented.
2) Frame your CGC poster in the holder with the holder visible. A second option is to frame the poster in the CGC holder, with all the information CGC provides fully displayed. Some of our clients tell us they believe the CGC information provided, (Band, venue, date, artists, condition, etc.) adds to the viewing experience.
This is an incredible BG-74 poster that has been graded 9.8 by CGC. The poster remains in it's CGC holder, which is hidden by the mat
This option is a simple procedure that can be handled by any frame shop. Simply "float" the poster in a larger frame. The advantage of this option is that any frame shop can do it, you will have the security and peace of mind that the poster is protected in CGC's airtight holder, and the poster will command a premium price when it comes tie to sell since it will already be CGC graded and authenticated.
3) Frame your CGC poster in the holder with a mat hiding the CGC holder.
A third option is to frame the poster in the CGC holder, but completely hide the holder using a mat. The advantage of this option is that you get the safety and security of the CGC holder while having the same optical experience of framing the poster out of the holder.
No matter what you decide, there is no doubt that CGC third party authentication and grading provides tremendous benefits to vintage concert poster collectors. The safety, security and liquidity can all be enjoyed no matter how you decide to display these historic pieces of art.
