As a normal attendee at native antique gala’s, it’s exhausting to pass over Karen Lansdown’s stunning go back and forth posters. The founding father of Go back and forth on Paper has an impressive number of vibrant, midcentury prints that in an instant draw the attention. What began as a pastime, 25 years in the past, become a industry in 2018. After learning typographic design at Camberwell Faculty of Artwork, Karen spent many years operating in artwork, design and interiors. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to create a few a success retail companies which she used to be fascinated with up till a couple of years in the past; when her number of antique go back and forth posters took off – and on the age of 60, Karen had discovered her true area of interest.
In my newest Inventive Girls at Paintings profile, I chat to Karen about her Go back and forth on Paper industry – and ask her recommendation on what to search for should you’re purchasing a antique poster:
How did you get into go back and forth posters?
We took my son to antique railway stations when he used to be younger ( he’s 27 now), the place they’ve were given the entire posters up. And so I believed, I’ll purchase a few posters at public sale – which I later discovered have been very dear, so I determined to promote one after which purchase some extra. I began in 2000, and through 2007 I had fairly so much, so I went to the Mid-Century Trendy show and met the organiser, and requested if I may have a stand. She stated sure, it in point of fact used to be fairly natural.
After artwork college I labored at Houses & Gardens mag for a couple of years. Once I left, I used to be in a design partnership with Susy Smith ( who went directly to grow to be editor of Nation Dwelling mag) from 1987 – 89. Then, whilst freelancing as an interiors stylist, I were given chatting to a neighbour – we had spotted that we have been each being attentive to Joni Mitchell on the time, and had so much in commonplace. We went directly to run two a success retail companies in combination. The primary used to be a store, Artisan, promoting furnishings and equipment; the second one used to be an internet retail industry, Brume, promoting window movie. I in the end offered out to my spouse in 2018 to pay attention to Go back and forth on Paper. It’s at all times been a type of part-time pastime and pastime. I began to do gala’s extra frequently and from 2018, it has grow to be a industry.
Do you promote principally throughout the gala’s?
Sure, and on-line a bit of – however that’s in most cases across the gala’s. Folks come alongside as a result of you want to peer them in actual existence. Additionally they’re fairly dear, so you want to take into consideration the place they’re going to be put, how the framing goes to paintings, which is a large a part of the verdict to shop for. I’ve were given those little industry playing cards and fairly regularly other folks will take person who they prefer after which come again six months later announcing, ‘ I’ve had that on my mantle piece for 6 months. Have you ever nonetheless were given the poster? Or, are you able to get me it?’ Folks do need to know if they may be able to are living with it.
I most probably moderate one honest a month, with extra against Christmas and less in the summertime. My son is fairly prepared to assist at gala’s so I’ve assist loading and unloading the posters; I generally tend to not take anything else framed so I will pack the entirety into my somewhat small hatchback.
*Main points of upcoming gala’s on the finish of the characteristic
So have been you at all times fascinated with go back and forth posters?
That’s what I began purchasing firstly. Then I did a couple of gala’s and other folks stated, ‘ Have you were given a TWA, or, have you ever observed that United Airways poster? Then Mad Males got here alongside; David Klein, who designed posters for TWA within the Fifties and 60s, used to be one of the most unique ‘Mad Males’, he labored for the advert businesses on Madison Road. So, I began to go searching and purchase extra of his posters.
Consumers additionally requested me for Olympic posters – and they’re encouraging other folks to visit the locations – so I began purchasing Olympic posters and also have fairly a set.
So what are you in search of then while you’re purchasing?
Through the years I’ve saved an eye fixed out for airline posters through David Klein, Stan Galli and Man Georget however costs have crept up so they’re an increasing number of tough to search out. It’s fairly private in point of fact. Incessantly other folks come to me and, and ask for issues after which I’ll perform some research. Perhaps it’s the place they’ve been for his or her honeymoon or the place they’ve labored. , as an example they’ve spent a large number of time in Washington and now they’re again in London. It’s all varieties of issues nevertheless it has to resonate. Normally they purchase one thing as a result of they’ve been there. And, if I just like the posters, I’ll purchase extra.
Brexit has made it tough to usher in and ship out posters to Europe principally because of additional prices. Confidently that can trade with time…
And what recommendation would you give to other folks which might be having a look into purchasing a antique poster?
It’s got to paintings to your surroundings. I don’t generally tend to border issues as a result of individuals are fairly particular about what they would like. It’s completely down to private style, in point of fact. The posters are dear, so it’s no longer an impulse purchase. I might additionally say purchase what you favor. Don’t take into consideration the price an excessive amount of – however the situation is essential. When in search of a poster, at all times take a look at that the scale is right kind and it hasn’t been trimmed.
It’s value paying extra for a poster this is in just right situation. Even though, you’ll have them restored, and they may be able to be subsidized – it is a conservation procedure and preserves the poster and permits ease of dealing with. I paintings with linen-backers, which makes the posters more uncomplicated to deal with. I am getting that executed in The us, I simply ship a complete batch off. There’s no longer many of us who do it in the United Kingdom, however there are such a lot of sellers in The us.
I’m a member of the World Antique Poster Sellers Affiliation (IVPDA). Club promises authenticity so search for the emblem when on the lookout for posters. I’ve been surprised at how some individuals are fairly satisfied to promote reproductions as originals. I’ve been stuck out myself; I purchased an Olympic poster on-line – it used to be the proper dimension and seemed original but if it arrived the paper used to be incorrect and the picture very quite out of sign in – fortunately I had an unique one in inventory so had one thing to test it in opposition to.
I will see that gathering go back and forth posters may grow to be addictive! Do you could have repeat consumers?
I do have repeat consumers, however for the smaller issues, in most cases the trainer posters, other folks like to assemble them and so they’re fairly inexpensive.
How do making a decision what to promote and what to position up by yourself partitions?
Once more, it has to resonate. I’ve were given a gorgeous 1949 Dartmouth Faculty poster – I’ve by no means been to Dartmouth, the explanation I purchased that poster is as a result of my husband used to be born in that 12 months and my birthday’s February the eleventh ( this date could also be at the poster). The graphics are beautiful and it used to be executed through a pupil. Extra usually, I believe what occurs is I purchase one thing and I promote it and I feel sorry about promoting it! So I attempt to in finding it once more. Through the years I’ve in point of fact regretted promoting posters that I want I’d saved to position at the wall at house – and spent years discovering a substitute – I don’t make the similar mistake the second one time round.
And each and every every now and then I believe I’ve simply were given to change over. If I need to stay that one, I’ve were given to promote one thing, you understand, one in, one out.
So while you don’t seem to be making plans and arranging the gala’s and the ones occasions, what’s roughly an ordinary day?
Neatly, I’m semi-retired. I’m 67. On a operating day, I’ll be updating the site. I’ll be in search of posters and I’ll be researching. Sooner than a show I’ll be having a look thru my assortment to peer what I’m going to take. Taking a look again and perhaps updating the mailing listing. Sending out a mailer. Social media…that roughly stuff.
What do you do to your spare time?
On Monday mornings I am going to a ( fashionable copper plate) calligraphy magnificence at Town Lit. It’s a pleasant solution to get started the week. I really like going to galleries and strolling. I’m in a ebook membership, and all of us cross strolling, and infrequently to my seashore hut. My husband’s retired as neatly, so you understand, we will be able to cross off and do issues, strolling and exhibitions, and we cross inter-railing each and every summer time. Ultimate 12 months we went to the Bauhaus and Lübeck by way of a couple of different German towns, this 12 months we went to Paris, Marseilles, Alassio, Genoa and Bologna. ( And sure, I’ve some railway posters on-line! – principally UK and French ).
Footage: Neil Mackenzie Matthews
Now, please communicate me thru your individual taste…
I really like simplicity and high quality materials – funding items in herbal materials – linen in the summertime, wool within the wintry weather. Preferably black and white however that may range in the summertime. I purchase garments that may remaining so not anything this is too trendy: a Macintosh raincoat, Tod’s patent loafers, an agnes b go well with … And perhaps one thing extra informal from MHL, Toast or Vetra for paintings. I stay the entirety moderately minimum however I may upload a silk shawl or one piece of jewelry – both Amanda Caines for a brooch or Romilly Suamarez Smith for earrings.
Within the remaining {photograph}, Karen is dressed in her Cubitts glasses. On an excessively muggy day in London, she took them off for the photoshoot as a result of they saved steaming up!
Go back and forth on Paper can be on the following presentations:
So Ultimate Century, Beckenham 25 August 2025
So Ultimate Century, Catford 18-19 October 2025
Gallery Show, Clapham, 3-9 November 2025
Midcentury Trendy, Dulwich, 16 November 2025
Projekt Marketplace, Peckham, 28-30 November 2025
Apply travelonpaper2 on Instagram for more info.
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This put up used to be revealed on
thatsnotmyage.com
on August 18, 2025 and written through Alyson Walsh.
