The cinefile’s artwork

BRYAN FULLER was barely a teenager when he bought his first movie poster. Today he is a dedicated collector with a weakness for “three-sheets,” such as the “I Was a Teenage Werewolf” poster shown here, which is 41 inches by 81 inches and cost about $900 on EBay. The 81-inch-square “six sheet” of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” partially visible in the living room photo to the left, cost $3,000 to $4,000, including restoration.

“If you have the space, the larger sizes can fill up a room economically,” Fuller says. “Because they are so big, there are fewer collectors for them.”

Fuller also shops traditional auction houses such as Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles and the Canadian firm Ritchies. He also visits www.filmposters.com and www.movieposters.ha.com. He is diligent about checking condition reports, and for expert advice he consults with Woolsey Ackerman at Walter Film, www.walterfilm.com.

Large posters are almost always folded, but many collectors and dealers sell them with linen backing, which removes creases and boosts durability, Fuller says. He uses two resources for linen backing and framing with UV-protective glass. Sherman Gallery in Marina del Rey, (310) 305-1001, is his choice for quick and easy jobs. For repairs and restoration, he uses Weidman Gallery in West Hollywood, (310) 657-5286.

“I’ve gotten posters on EBay that were supposed to be in good condition but had a few surprises,” Fuller says. “If you are patient, Weidman can fix almost anything.”

-- David A. Keeps