Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Lobby Cards

Most devoted film buffs and film memorabilia collectors have at least a small collection of lobby cards. These cards are released when a movie is released and serve as promotion must like film posters do. Most major releases also have a set of lobby cards released with it. In the UK, lobby cards are commonly called “Front of House” cards.

Lobby cards and film posters are designed to advertise and promote a newly released film. It’s not unusual for films to have several different film posters used in the advertising campaign, and these become valuable to collectors who love that particular film or collect cinema items in general. The posters are the ones you see inside and outside the theaters to advertise that the movie is coming soon or even playing currently inside. These images are used in the pressbooks, websites advertising the film, the DVD package, flyers and ads in newspapers, magazines and even books.

The difference between an official film poster and a poster put out by a third party is easy to spot. The film posters typically don’t just bear the main images and name of the film, but text at the bottom with some information like top-billed cast, the director, and sometimes the release date of the film. Lobby cards are considered tiny film posters. They’re usually released in sets of 8, with each card bearing a different scene from the movie. On occasion, the sets of lobby cards held 12 cards, or 6, but the typical number is 8. And releases from production companies who are having a difficult financial time sometimes came with no lobby card set at all. The 1986 film Manhunter by Michael Mann had no set of lobby cards produced in the United States, a great irony considering the film’s legacy. It was the forerunner of Silence of the Lambs, which won Oscars for both Anthony Hopkins and Jodi Foster and created one of the most memorable villains in cinematic history, Hannibal the Cannibal.

The value of lobby cards depends a great deal on the age of the cards and the film depicted, as well as their condition. While some older lobby cards carry a high price, so do some newer lobby cards that might have not been created in huge numbers. Often, lobby cards aren’t produced in great numbers and then the film will exceed the studio’s expectations, making it much more popular than they expected and creating a demand from film buffs and collectors for merchandise like the original film posters and lobby cards.

By the far the best way to buy lobby cards is in complete sets, though sometimes this can be difficult, especially in the case of very old films. Some old movies see their lobby cards sold individually for hundreds of dollars each. If you’re looking for lobby cards through online dealers and eBay, read the auctions carefully. Reprints are a big business for those who want the look of the classic lobby cards without caring whether or not they’re original.

Photo Credits: A Wulfrunian in Houston

Originally posted 2008-10-29 05:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• John Wayne Movies Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia John Wayne movies have been a favorite of movie buffs, Western fans and those who like “tough guys” in their films, for many years. Though John Wayne has been gone for almost 30 years, his presence is still such a part of American culture that almost......
• Collector Plates Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Collector Plates One of the most common types of memorabilia for the entertainment world are collector plates. These decorative items adorn the homes of many, but they may not be aware of just how valuable these small collectibles are. While there are plenty of collector......
• Bruce Lee Movies Collectibles -> Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia Bruce Lee is a revered name in the martial arts community, and Bruce Lee movies are classics among action and martial arts fans. Lee was more than actor, he actually developed a martial art form called Jeet Kune Do, and popularized the sport in......
• The Three Stooges Memorabilia -> Entertainment-Memorabilia -> Movie-Memorabilia The Three Stooges, years after they made their last film together, are still wildly popular with both adults and children alike. Their films are available on DVD and appear on television, they’re referenced in pop culture, and even have music dedicated to them, like......
• Pin Up Posters Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Posters Pin up posters might not have the popularity today that they once did, but most people will immediately recognize some of the most popular pin up moments from the heyday of beautiful pin up models. Marilyn Monroe was a pin up queen in her......

• Rabbit thrills January Jones January Jones has landed her first major film role alongside Nicolas Cage in a new thriller. Jones, 31, who is best know for playing the seductive suburban mother Betty Draper in 'Mad Men' has been cast to play the female lead opposite Nicolas Cage in the vigilante thriller 'The Hungry......
• Star Wars Movies and LEGO Systems by Peter Bainum Thus far there have been 7 movies released based on the Star Wars storyline. LucasFilms has done a tremendous job marketing these films and creating products based on these movies. One of the more popular products for the Star Wars movies is LEGO sets. The LEGO Group......
• Film To See - Everything's Cool: A Toxic Comedy About Global Warming. Seeing as how this DVD gets released today I figured it was a good time to give my review of the advance copy I received a few weeks ago of Everything's Cool: A Toxic Comedy About Global Warming. An official selection at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival,......
• Must See: 2012 Movie Trailer On the 20th November this year we will see the release of the highly anticipated disaster movie '2012'. It is based on the prediction that the world will end as we know it on the 21st December of that year. The prediction comes from a combination of the Mesoamerican Long......
• Michael Jordan Posters sports-memorabilia -> Basketball-NBA -> Lithographs-Posters-and-Prints During the 1990s, it wasn't uncommon to see Michael Jordan posters lining the walls of kids rooms. Born in 1963, Jordan played college ball at the University of North Carolina and began his professional career (and played his best years) with National Basketball Association......

• 1980-89 Originals-US Posters Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• 1990-99 Originals-US Posters Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• United States Lobby Cards Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Pre-1940 Originals-US Posters Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• 1960-69 Reproductions Posters Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia