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Poster Categories

Exhibition Posters

Poster Categories


If the inherent purpose of the poster is to sell, then the exhibition poster has perhaps the greatest compositional challenge, as it can only showcase one scene that effectively encapsulates an entire showcase. The greatest vintage exhibition posters accomplish this with aplomb, using captivating color and catchy text to lure even the most reluctant visitor.

The notion of large-scale exhibition promotion truly took hold during the early days of the world's fairs. First launched in London in 1851 at the behest of England's Queen Victoria, who wished to showcase the world's greatest advances in industry and technology, the concept of the large-scale showcase soon caught on elsewhere around the world. The field of poster art caught up to this burgeoning tradition in the latter years of the 19th century.

By the beginning of the 20th century, exhibition posters were commonplace. From upcoming Olympic games to blockbuster art showings, the exhibition poster evolved into an art form of its own that was equal parts artistic expression and marketing acumen. Today, exhibition posters are cherished by poster art aficionados for these qualities in addition to their heritage in the shared visual record.


Quick Facts

  • Though the art of the poster developed much later, the use of the term poster originated in the 1830s as a general reference to any advertisement or notice displayed prominently in public
  • Some of history's most notable artists lent their skills to exhibition poster design, including Art Nouveau expert Alphonse Mucha, French painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and even late 20th century Push Pin Studio designer Milton Glaser
  • A poster promoting the French release of the 1938 film, "Bringing Up Baby," starring American actors Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, sold at a Christie's London auction in late 2015 for $105,353

Recommended Items at Auction

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WARHOL, Andy (1928–1987). Andy Warhol: Levi’s 501 Jeans. [1...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
WARHOL, Andy (1928–1987). Andy Warhol: Levi’s 501 Jeans. [1...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $300- $500
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HARING, Keith (1958 – 1990). Keith Haring: Into 84 / Tony S...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
HARING, Keith (1958 – 1990). Keith Haring: Into 84 / Tony S...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $500- $700
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A museum poster "Cow" after Andy Warhol, Whitney Museum New York, probably 1971
Nov 19, 10:00 AM CET
A museum poster "Cow" after Andy Warhol, Whitney Museum New York, probably 1971
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€7603 Bids
CLAUDE MONET (1840-1926) LITHOGRAPH TITLED WATER LILLIES WITH COA, 1974 – 20IN x 30IN (51cm x 76cm)
Nov 12, 3:00 PM EST
CLAUDE MONET (1840-1926) LITHOGRAPH TITLED WATER LILLIES WITH COA, 1974 – 20IN x 30IN (51cm x 76cm)
by The Rug Life Auctions
Est: $700- $1,000
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AUDUBON, John James (1785 – 1851). Ground Dove. Plate CLXXX...
Nov 21, 10:00 AM CST
AUDUBON, John James (1785 – 1851). Ground Dove. Plate CLXXX...
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Keith Haring - Poster Montreux Jazz Festival 1983
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
Keith Haring - Poster Montreux Jazz Festival 1983
by Art Atelier
Est: €500- €700
€3251 Bid
HOWE, Gertrude. United Through Books / Book Week November 1...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
HOWE, Gertrude. United Through Books / Book Week November 1...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $200- $400
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RICHTER, GERHARD, Nach - After: "Gerhard Richter Jerusalem 1995".
Nov 07, 9:00 AM CET
RICHTER, GERHARD, Nach - After: "Gerhard Richter Jerusalem 1995".
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Est: CHF450- CHF900
CHF4501 Bid
HARING, Keith; Jean-Michel Basquiat; Roy Lichtenstein; Yoko...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
HARING, Keith; Jean-Michel Basquiat; Roy Lichtenstein; Yoko...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $700- $1,000
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POSTERS -- APPEL, Karel (1921-2006). "ABCD Gravures-Sculptures, Juin/Juillet 1977, 36 Rue
Nov 12, 1:30 PM CET
POSTERS -- APPEL, Karel (1921-2006). "ABCD Gravures-Sculptures, Juin/Juillet 1977, 36 Rue
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Est: €70- €80
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BINDER, Joseph (1898–1972). New York World’s Fair / The Wor...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
BINDER, Joseph (1898–1972). New York World’s Fair / The Wor...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $1,000- $1,500
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Robert Rauschenberg - Favor Rites (No Text) - 1994 Offset Lithograph 35.5" x 27.5"
Nov 05, 11:15 AM EST
Robert Rauschenberg - Favor Rites (No Text) - 1994 Offset Lithograph 35.5" x 27.5"
by DUMBO Auctions
Est: $75- $125
$201 Bid
SKREBNESKI, Victor (1929 – 2020). Bette Davis Photographed ...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
SKREBNESKI, Victor (1929 – 2020). Bette Davis Photographed ...
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Est: $250- $350
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Jasper Johns - Moratorium - 1969 Offset Lithograph 22.5" x 28.5"
Nov 05, 11:15 AM EST
Jasper Johns - Moratorium - 1969 Offset Lithograph 22.5" x 28.5"
by DUMBO Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,800
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Robert Williams Exhibition Poster - "Visions in the Vernacular" at Tamara Bane Gallery
Nov 21, 10:00 AM PST
Robert Williams Exhibition Poster - "Visions in the Vernacular" at Tamara Bane Gallery
by Pasadena Antique Auctions
Est: $300- $400
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REVE -- COLLECTION OF 17 POSTERS/BROADSIDES for venues/publications/exhibitions, etc., all
Nov 12, 1:30 PM CET
REVE -- COLLECTION OF 17 POSTERS/BROADSIDES for venues/publications/exhibitions, etc., all
by Burgersdijk & Niermans
Est: €90- €120
€900 Bids
Chase & Bachelder’s American Museum of Art. Nottingham: Sta...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
Chase & Bachelder’s American Museum of Art. Nottingham: Sta...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $800- $1,200
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Salon Interministeriel / Musee des Beaux-Arts de la ville d...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
Salon Interministeriel / Musee des Beaux-Arts de la ville d...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $300- $600
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Fleurs Verdue d'Été: Garden Bloom England Exhibition 1827 Poster Print - 28" x 20"
Nov 14, 9:00 PM EST
Fleurs Verdue d'Été: Garden Bloom England Exhibition 1827 Poster Print - 28" x 20"
by Weatherham Estate Treasures
Est: $150- $200
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Hiro Yamagata "Once Upon a Time" Original Poster
Nov 21, 10:00 AM PST
Hiro Yamagata "Once Upon a Time" Original Poster
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Est: $200- $300
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CHERMAYEFF, Ivan. GEISMAR, Thomas. Pan Am / Japan. 1970s. P...
Nov 07, 10:00 AM CST
CHERMAYEFF, Ivan. GEISMAR, Thomas. Pan Am / Japan. 1970s. P...
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Est: $700- $900
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MARTIN KRELOFF SIGNED MIAMI ART DECO POSTER
Nov 11, 1:00 PM EST
MARTIN KRELOFF SIGNED MIAMI ART DECO POSTER
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Est: $200- $400
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Konvolut Austellungsplakate 5 Blätter
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
Konvolut Austellungsplakate 5 Blätter
by Auktionshaus Schramm
Est: €80- €100
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Saint-Phalle - Film Festival
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
Saint-Phalle - Film Festival
by Auktionshaus Schramm
Est: €320- €400
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Sellers Who Sell Exhibition Posters


The Rug Life Auctions

The Rug Life Auctions

MDP Auction

MDP Auction

DUMBO Auctions

DUMBO Auctions

TGP Auction

TGP Auction