Don't buy the crap copies on Bleecker Street. If you are looking for a decor gift that is evocative, unique and very graphic, there is a little shop on Centre Street that we recommend.
Posteritati is at the quiet end of SoHo, but it is a mecca for folks who love antique movie posters. They have EVERYTHING from Japanese versions of American films to Italian films to classic James Bond posters and everything in between. You can search by genre, nationality, director or even poster size.
The folks at Posteritati are OUTRAGEOUSLY helpful and knowledgeable.
Adore Posteritati. The staff is extremely knowledgeable if not downright passionate about posters. Their web site's database is an amazing resource on its own and my fave way to gift shop, particularly gifts for myself. Love the Eastern European posters.
(but don't expect college dorm prices...)
A "little" shop? Posteritati is world famous. Everybody who is into movie posters KNOWS about Posteritati - they know it is the LAST place you look for a poster because it is OUTRAGEOUSLY overpriced. If you look and can't find something THEN You dish out the big bucks there. They actually drive UP the prices of certain posters, because they are well known - and others base their prices on them - regardless of the availability/real value of the poster. Go in, browse their convenient database - then go find the poster somewhere else at a reasonable price. Unless of course you are a Manhattan status jerk - then this store is perfect for you.
That would have been helpful were it not so condescending and insulting.
I bought some beautiful things at the Posteritati store (gallery?) Don't know about you but it takes hours to go through website after website looking for what I want. I know that they'll have enough for me to choose from and I don't have to spend all day doing it.
I guess it would be insulting and condescending to a Manhattan status jerk. That pains me.
These are great, but, if you are tight on the $ its a bit pricey. I love to collect movie prints and found a great place to pick up some of my favorites at http://www.stage-fright.com!