Premium Lobby Cards: What Originality and Condition Are Worth

This is a re-released 11 by 14 title lobby card showing a William Boyd fight scene as Hopalong Cassidy. Because it is a re-release rather than a vintage print, its appeal is the image and the western subject, not age. Listing notes mention small pinholes and a small tear along one edge, so it suits a display piece rather than a collection centerpiece.

This 11 by 14 color lobby card for The Three Musketeers stars Raquel Welch and Michael York, and the listing states it is an original, not a copy or reprint. That claim is the main reason it sits at the top of a premium list. The listing does not describe a condition grade, so ask the seller for details before you buy if condition matters to you.

This used theater lobby card for Return of the Pink Panther stars Peter Sellers and John Bluthal and is listed as card number six. The listing describes multiple random pinholes along the edges and inside the card, which is typical of cards that were posted in theaters. It is a fair option for a comedy fan who values the film over a pristine print.

This is an approximately 11 by 14 original used theater lobby card for Three Coins in the Fountain, starring Clifton Webb, Jean Peters, and Maggie McNamara. The listing notes pinholes along the edges and writing on the back, so it is a card with a documented history of use rather than a clean display print. It fits buyers who value an original piece of theater history.

This 11 by 14 original used theater lobby card for Personal Column, also known as Lured, stars Lucille Ball and George Zucco in a film-noir crime thriller. The listing mentions a few pinholes, a title changed with tape, and scratches across Lucille Ball's face. Those defects matter if you plan to frame it as a clean piece, but they are part of the card's history as a used theater item.

This 11 by 14 theater used lobby card for The Money Pit stars Tom Hanks and Shelley Long and is listed with a Very Good grade. The listing notes some pinholes in the corners, which is a modest flaw for a used card. For a comedy collector, this grade is a sensible middle ground between a clean print and a heavily worn one.

This is an original 1944 lobby card for Undying Monster, starring Bruce Bemmett and John Abbott, and the listing gives it an EX+ condition with pinholes along the bottom border. The listing explains that monster, robot, or famous-star subjects generally carry more value, and this card has the monster appeal. Condition, the listing notes, plays a large role in value because cards were tacked and taped up in theaters.

This is an original 11 by 14 color lobby card for Night of the Blood Beast, featuring Michael Emmet and 1950s horror and monster imagery from American International Pictures. The listing notes multiple small pinholes and some wear along the edges. It is a strong pick for fans of 1950s science fiction and horror who want the color presentation.