Where to sell old Variety Hall posters?

[Marmora Man]

With my sister I am clearing my mother's house of its contents. She had a large collection of 19th and early 20th century Variety Hall posters - all nicely framed. I am trying to locate a specialist collector website and / or shop that might be interested in purchasing them. It seems a shame to just throw them away.

Any clues anyone? Help very much appreciated.

I've tried Dress Circle in Charing Cross Road and e-bay but after that - nada.

[KidKruger]

Does sound a real shame to throw them, I'd certainly be interested in an attractive poster from that era.

ETA: sorry just saw the bit about already tried eBay.

[lizbells6]

You could try emailing pics and some details to Rosebery Auctions in South Norwood. Or Bonhams do specialist poster auctions. They would tell you if they are worth consigning for sale, bearing in mind sellers premiums, and a rough valuation.

If not worth selling, perhaps the Theatre Museum might be interested in a donation, rather than throw them away?

Dealers usually keep an eagle eye on eBay, so I would think they're probably not worth much, I'm afraid.

[Alex K]

http://archiveshub.ac.uk/features/varietyandmusichall/ -- a national museum, in Sheffield, for materials like those that I imagine your mother collected;

http://britishmusichallsociety.wordpress.com -- a blog / bulletin-board for persons interested in such materials;

why not ring the V&A, ring the Sheffield curator, and ask about venues for sale, or post to the blog with links to images?

[Jah Lush]

Get 'em valued and try an auction house.

[Marmora Man]

Just to show what one of the posters looks like

[woodrot]

have sent you a PM bludz

[hpsaucey]

British Library too perhaps? Has collections of ephemera like this: http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelprestype/ephemera/evanionvictorianephemera/evanionvictorianephemera.html

[Nigello]

There is a pedestrianised street just up from the National Portrait Gallery, near to one of the entrances/exits to Leicester Square that has shops that sell travel posters and the like. You could do worse than go there and have a chat with some of the owners.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I would certainly be interested in buying a couple.

[Huggers]

V&A http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/about-the-theatre-and-performance-collections/

But also how about contacting any individual theatres still in existence? They may well be interested in them for their foyers/collections.

http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Birmingham/TheatreRoyalNewStreetBirmingham.htm

[Sue]

I'd be interested in buying one, depending on the price!

Had you thought of just advertising them on here? Or asking one of the stalls on North Cross Road on a Saturday whether they'd display some for you?

[Marmora Man]

I'm planning a stall on Northcross Road maybe weekend of 20/21 April. Thinking of prices around ?50 - ?75 as they're all nicely framed already.

An example attached - with another higher up the thread.

[Sue]

Do you have any from London music halls eg Vauxhall?

[Marmora Man]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Do you have any from London music halls eg

> Vauxhall?

Islington Green is the best I can do. There is one with Max Miller's name on it too.

[Sue]

Collins New Lovelies! Brilliant!

[PeckhamRose]

They could reach a pretty penny. Take 'em to the next Antiques Roadshow! Also I suggest you telephone The Stage and ask for their suggestions, since this is their business.