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Restored Beatles poster.

Here's a signed poster that I'm sure most of you guys have already seen.It was sold on rr a while back and more recently on iconic.The first picture is of the piece in its original untouched condition.the second picture is of the same piece with major restoration work to it.The owner was asking me if I was Interested in buying it.With that kind of work done to a piece such as this,should I totally pass on it.How much can this effect the value?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 4, 2016 at 8:01pm

A heck of a lot can be done just with fumes - paper can be made supple, the PH can be adjusted, yellowing mitigated and so on.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 4, 2016 at 10:39pm

Sling,

The Lennon writing on the unrestored piece as shown in the original post looks very bold to me...the boldest autograph on the poster. If it looks even stronger to you on the restoration, it's probably lighting.

I basically agree with the rest of what you said, except that original, intact, nice and unrestored is often worth considerably more than restored to perfection.

In rare original art, where there is only one piece, and worth millions, what you said is generally true.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 4, 2016 at 10:46pm

I am seeing some adjustment to signatures and removal of what appear as normal printing fatuires (that blue speck at top for example). Look at the L in "Paul" by where the cello tape was - now the "l" is lighter. The tail of the previous signature now intact. Much of this is overall in-painting and repair is visible in Photoshop if you play around with negatives and contrast and a few other tools. This I would have to call enhancement.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by spaceman on February 4, 2016 at 7:54pm

I consider this item now to be an altered document. Restoration to me means to preserve the original.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 4, 2016 at 7:57pm

That would be conservation. Restore implies addition of some sort, more than cleaning.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by Paul Hakimian on February 4, 2016 at 8:05pm

So in a nutshell as long as I can make an agreement with the seller,to return the piece if there is obvious evidence of poor restoration work.Is the concencus here mainly to more forward with caution?

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Permalink Reply by Paul on February 4, 2016 at 8:10pm

I think so Haki.

He has clearly stated its been restored so it should be ok, you know what to expect.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Hakimian on February 4, 2016 at 8:17pm

Thanks for all the insight.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 4, 2016 at 8:31pm

It is a personal thing. I would not want it - to me it is a problem piece. The removal of that doodle is unforgivable and speaks to the quality/intent of the work. How would you feel about buying this w/o a before photo? I collect other things - one is an Admiralty brass turbine blade from the largest turbines in the world made in 1907 by the Cunard Line for the Mauretania, fastest liner for 22 years straight. These blades are very hard to secure - I waited about 15 years, passing over about 3, because they were simply cleaned. I don't like things that require much explanation. To me, every time I saw it I would be reminded of the "restoration" - adjustment actually. I can't call this restoration the way I know the word. I generally draw the line at consolidation and conservation. If it is a truly superb item condition is not primary - if it is, maybe try for another. That's my take.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 4, 2016 at 10:28pm

Paul,

I think that's OK. See if Roger Epperson will give you his thoughts. Not authentication. His thoughts on the piece itself, as a dealer. He may have seen it for RR and Iconic.