About'Back To Linen'

Having been exposed to the wonderful world of posters through my association with John Reid (who is a well known dealer and collector in Australia - www.moviemem.com and marvelling at how posters were preserved and restored, I decided to learn how. It took a trip to the USA and I worked alongside one of the most respected linen backers who taught me everything I know.

'Back To Linen' was established in June 2004, and since then I have linen backed a whole range of posters from Australian / American / English / Mexican / Italian / German and Japanese etc. I now have an established international clientele and I get the opportunity to handle some fantastic posters. I have elected to operate this business solo. A perfectionist by nature, I cannot allow anyone else to deal with posters that are sent to me - I do everything.

The main objective at 'Back To Linen' is to deacidify the poster through careful washing and then getting the poster onto linen. In order to execute this process, careful attention begins with stretching the canvas onto a frame, applying the Masa paper to the canvas and then inspecting the poster - i.e. writing or printing on the back or tears to fold lines etc. Any tape must be removed before submerging it in water and that in itself and be quite time consuming.

Once the poster is ready to wash, the 'fun' begins and concentration is paramount - anything can happen! This process can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to over an hour depending on the colour of the water. Let's face it - we really don't know the history of where the poster has been. For example I have linen backed a 1930's German poster and the dirt that came out was like the colour of mud. Restoration is something that can be done once the poster is linen backed.

'Back To Linen' offers minor restoration - fill in and colour touch-up to fold lines and fill in. I do not offer any air brushing work. Linen backing is the preferred method of preserving posters by auction houses and major dealers and collectors. If you have a poster that you want linen backed or would like to discuss the options available - contact me by email at or phone my mobile 0418 887 468 (Australia only).