Large vintage poster - what to do with original but "improper" backing

It seems that even ordinary plywood would have worked better, though I'm not sure it existed back then...

 

As others have noted, the students at Queen's work under the supervision of instructors with years of experience in conservation. The students themselves are well vetted as well. The program only accepts a small number each year, and most have significant experience before being selected. I wouldn't write them off.

I don't think we can provide step-by-step instructions without actually seeing the piece to assess what might be involved. There is always the chance of encountering unexpected problems.

 

I have emailed Queen's. It would be a bit of a drive, to put it mildly (I'm 3.5 hours away from Toronto, and Kingston must be another 3 or so), but it would be fun if they accept it. I'm rather curious about the valuation, since, ultimately, that is what could justify this sort of effort.

 

Sorry, I thought you might be closer based on the location of Belleville. But I am glad you decided to contact them. Please let us know what happens.

I have not been able to find another example of the same litho, but here are a few somewhat similar that have been sold, most smaller than yours -

$852.50 - https://antiqueadvertising.com/free-antique-price-guide/antique-signs/melchers-distillery-sign/

Another Melcher's, $900 - https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...ined&queryID=8d2ca07c05394ad0b8ff4da805ab911c

$850 - https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/113614844_eberhardt-and-ober-distillery-paper-lithograph

 

Thank you for sharing! Yes, mine is, indeed, "gi-normous" and much larger than these; I may be wrong, but my general impression is that, all other things being equal (well, they almost never are, but still...), a larger painting from an artist usually commands higher valuations than a smaller one (again, of the same type, like oil, maybe with a similar subject like landscape, etc.) from the same artist. (I'm sure lots of exceptions do exist, but that is not my point here.) I don't know what the deal is with lithographs, but that seems to make some sense in this case as well.

 

P.S. I've just started searching for similar lithographs for the first time (I wasn't thinking much about value before, so I didn't look for benchmarks), and, interestingly enough, finding anything both of similar size and similar type seems difficult-to-impossible. Also, I don't see a lot of original frames like the one mine has.

 

condition outweighs size....... and ginormous may not be a good fit for the casual collector.......
the subject matter in this case , being unique, will draw an image specific collector.

 

It sure is heavy... But looks great if hung on a wall.

 

if u have an mt wall with that kinda room !!!!