Poster fair spotlights illustrator's art

A century of vintage posters have been on show at the International Vintage Poster Fair in San Francisco. More than 10 thousand examples of commercial illustrators' art were offered to a devoted following of dealers and collectors.

There are more than 10 thousand posters here at the International Vintage Poster Fair in San Francisco, with exhibitors from six continents. The posters were printed between the 1890s to the 1980s.

Held annually in San Francisco, New York and Chicago, this is the world's largest and oldest fair for original vintage posters.

The images are an exercise in nostalgia. There are advertisements for food, drink, film, travel, transportation and events. Styles range through Art Deco, Victorian and Art Nouveau and the Modernist era.

Mireille Roman, owner of Galerie Documents in Paris has been involved in showing poster art since 1954. She says the power of the image is important, but the condition is crucial.

Mireille Roman said, "Whatever makes a poster valuable is a good image. What is also very, very important in the pricing is the condition. Some posters can be very, very, very rare, very hard to find, because they have not been printed to a big quantity or because they have not been saved well. And if you find an example of such a piece in perfect condition, of course then the price can be very, very, very high."

Prices can range from a few dollars into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Posters rose to prominence with the Industrial age, and these early advertisements encouraged the purchase of newly available consumer goods.

And there's something to suit every taste and budget.

David Pollack, owner of David Pollack Vintage posters, said, "The Poster Fair is great because it's the only opportunity in the world to see every period - art nouveau, art deco, mid Century, modern - all in one room. Every field of posters - meaning travel, advertising, military, sports - there's something for everybody. The beauty of posters is that there's something for everybody."

The art form took root in France at the turn of the 20th century, as color lithography was gaining in popularity.

Many posters targeted women, advertising products like face creams, soaps and beauty products.

There are also the posters for products that would make the home easier to manage, like gas stoves, laundry soaps and instant soups.

Whatever the message, their colourful and powerful graphic presence has captivated collectors from all over the world.