Expert: DM - 10/31/2007

Question
While handling my uncle's estate, I found 3 original silent movie posters from 1926.  They are all 27 x 41 in size.   Where would I go to find out how much they are worth?  2 are from Little Irish Girl with Dolores Costello and one is with the actor Adolphe Menjou.  I also have a lobby card of Bebe Daniels.  Thanks so much!

Answer
Thank you for asking such an interesting question. Vintage silent movie posters and lobby cards can be worth some money nowadays. The most valuable ones are those that feature films from the most famous directors, or films that feature those actors who are the most revered silent films stars with today's audiences, stars that have huge followings, such as Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, George O'Brien, and Theda Bara.

One good source for guaging the value of such an item is to look on www.ebay.com and see if there are any like it that are currently at auction, and then see what people are bidding for them. You can always place them on ebay and see what kind of bids you get, and then sell them to the highest bidder. Frankly, posters that feature stars other than those I mentioned are not in great demand, so their perceived value will be a lot less than those featuring those stars, but you can never tell. I'd say give ebay a try because it's your best source for reaching a worldwide audience inexpensively.

Sincerely,
David Menefee