Tony Singer - Vintage Auto Posters Column

Tony Singer - Retromobile 2019 Column
Since 1971 Everett Anton “Tony” Singer, a painter, graphic artist/designer, photographer, printer, and auto collector, has been fascinated by the wide variety of automotive poster art, focusing on the 1895-1970 time frame.

This lead to the creation of VintageAutoPosters.com, the world’s preeminent resource, presenting the finest works, guaranteed original and professionally archival linen mounted. A proud member of IVPDA.
In 2002, he created Automobilia Monterey, the international expo, which is the largest multi-marque gathering in the US, taking place each August during Monterey’s car week.

​VintageAutoPosters.com
[email protected]
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Some of Tony's Vintage Auto Posters Articles:

Graphic Automobilia  Issue #1 Sept/Oct 2018

Posters, since the late 1880s, have existed to inform and advertise; great artists of the era were employed to creatively and beautifully illustrate the car, promote products/race meetings, and commemorate outstanding results. In the world of “automobilia”, they are visually commanding; their size can range from window cards to billboards!

The “reach” of the poster [the audience and/or location] was quite limited, in particular before the 1950’s, which meant that the number of copies printed was inherently small. Their lifespan was intended to be perhaps six months, as most were affixed to kiosks, buildings, billboards, or shop windows. Over time, we have seen the poster become quite rare, with increasing demand, elevating values, along with the educated eye realizing that they are truly their own “art” form.
Geo Ham!  Issue #2, Nov/Dec 2018

In the world of poster designers/illustrators, Georges Hamel must have been the most prolific of his era [1920’s to 1950’s].  This Frenchman [1900-1972] best known for his illustrations of airplanes and automobiles created ads, magazine covers, and advertising posters for a vast group of predominantly French companies.
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As a young boy, he showed great ability for imitation drawing. It has been said that his passion for ‘speed’ was greatly influenced by two events in his home town of Laval. In 1911, a plane piloted by a local politician, who was busy throwing leaflets, flew over the city and landed there. Then in 1913, a race for motorcycles and cars was held in Laval....he started sketching, and later at the age of 18, he moved to Paris and attended Ecole nationale des Arts décoratifs.
Alex Kow 1901-1978  Issue #3, Jan/Feb 2019

Easily one of the most prolific, and in demand artists of his day was Alex Kow. His work, mostly advertising ads and few posters, focused exclusively on French manufacturers, and was always signed “A. Kow”.

​A little background here, which shaped him as an artist. Alexis Kojewnikow, later known as Alexis Kow, was born in 1900 in Russia, near St. Petersburg. In 1915, his father became so worried about the political situation in his homeland, he sent young Alexis to a boarding school in Lausanne, Switzerland.
1938_12HeursdeParisPosterBEFORE
BEFORE - Time-worn condition 1938 poster. Note thewrinkles from humidity.
1938_12HeuresDeParisPosterAFTER
AFTER - Professionally archival linen-mounted.
Conserving Authenticity  Issue #4, Mar/Apr 2019

The one consistent line of questioning from both seasoned collectors, and the new purchaser is: preservation of the poster.
The assumption is that a poster under consideration is “collectible”, having a good market value, and worthy of the investment of proper conservation techniques and possible framing.  
Art Deco  Issue #5 May/June 2019
The movement known as “Art Deco” was a shortened name version of the planned exhibition “Arts Decoratifs”, which was held in Paris in 1925.  This was a deliberate shift away from Art Nouveau, with its flowing and undulating style, lasting from about 1920 until the mid-late 1930s.
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Art Deco was directly influenced by some of the prior painting movements of Cubism with its geometric forms, and Fauvism and its bright colors. Generally, the look was simpler, more precise, less embellished, and more linear.
I've been Framed! Issue #9 Mar/Apr 2020
Before we begin, I must point out that the three framed posters, in this article, are part of my personal collection, and are NOT for sale. “Cap d’Antibes” is probably my all-time favorite, and is from the 1930s. If ever available one of these would usually be in the $25-$30K range. I’ve only seen two others.  “Automobiles Richard Brasier”, celebrating the car’s win of the Gordon Bennet trophy, is also incredibly rare, and is just one of two I’ve ever seen - this fine example and one awful example. The current value is likely $30-40K. Lastly, “Circuito di Milano” is usually found in a 2-sheet version, and in the past few years one sold at auction for about $65K. 
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Carrera Panamericana Posters:
​Most dangerous race in the world!
Issue 13 Nov/Dec 2020
Just the name conveys danger, as this border-to-border race existed for only five years, 1950-1954. With the completion of the Panamerican Highway, Mexico’s government used the race to celebrate its achievement and attract attention. Generally, it was a nine-stage race, held over five days, covering approximately 2,100 miles.While similar to the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, the Carrera Panamericana was much longer and considered to be the most dangerous race of any type in the world, with many fatalities of both competitors and spectators.
Porsche Showroom Posters – Part II
Issue 17 May/Jun 2021
For a small company like Porsche, the amount of paper they produced in their early years is extraordinary. In addition to promo pieces, they created commemorative racing posters, as well as those for the dealer showrooms. One book surveys their output in the 1949-1974 era: “Porsche Showroom Posters – The First 25 Years.” This has recently been updated and produced in a limited edition of 550 copies.
Porsche Showroom Posters – Part I
Issue 15 Mar/Apr 2021
In this second and last installment on Porsche showroom posters, we’ll look at eight wonderful images from the 356 and early 911 era. All of these and many more are found in the recently updated Porsche Showroom Posters – The First 25 Years  book.

Let’s begin in the mid-1950s with Erich Strenger, Porsche’s in-house creative genius, and his “A Steering Wheel.” Simple, straightforward, clean and elegant, this super rare poster is 23.5"x33", and is under $19,000. That is not a typo, as this is one of the most desired Porsche posters.
Vintage Auto Posters: Buyer Be Aware
Nov/Dec 2021 Edition
With the ubiquity of Internet access, auctions seemingly popping up all over, and a multitude of eBay offerings, one has to be increasingly careful, if not downright suspicious.                         
 
If you read the fine print with most auctions, the burden of proof rests with you, the buyer. The auction is merely a conduit that connects an unknown seller with an optimistic buyer. As noted in an earlier e-blast, one company flat out said they don’t and won’t guarantee anything! With eBay, you have to “trust” what the seller says. [Editor’s note: If you buy something on eBay and deem it is not as described – not authentic – you can return it to the seller within a window of time, which I have done with a few fakes! BUT… the burden is still on you to know if it is real or not.]