What Is an Italian Locandina? A Collector's Guide

Italian movie posters have a visual character all their own, and one of the most distinctive formats is the locandina. Tall, narrow and instantly recognisable, these original cinema posters were produced for display in and around Italian cinemas and have become a popular format with collectors around the world.

For anyone more familiar with US One Sheets or British Quads, the locandina can initially seem an unusual size. But its combination of original Italian artwork, manageable dimensions and enormous variety makes it one of the most interesting formats to collect.

What is an Italian locandina?

A locandina (plural: locandine) is a vertically orientated Italian cinema poster, typically measuring approximately 33 × 70 cm (13 × 27½ inches).

The format was part of Italy's wider range of theatrical advertising material and was used alongside much larger posters such as the 2-Fogli and 4-Fogli, as well as photobustas and other cinema publicity.

Its long, narrow proportions gave poster artists a very different space to work with. Although some locandine adapted artwork found on the larger Italian posters, others used noticeably different compositions, imagery or typography. This means collectors can find several very different poster designs for the same film, even within the Italian market.

Italian poster art in a smaller format

One of the great attractions of collecting Italian movie posters is the artwork.

Italy produced some of the most accomplished film poster illustrators of the 20th century, and their work frequently appeared across the country's different poster formats. Artists including Renato Casaro, Enzo Sciotti, Anselmo Ballester and Angelo Cesselon created striking painted interpretations of films rather than simply reproducing photographic publicity material.

The unusual proportions of the locandina could result in particularly creative compositions. Portraits might dominate the upper section, while action scenes, supporting characters or credits were worked into the space below. For other films, a single dramatic image was enough to fill almost the entire poster.

This can make an Italian locandina visually quite different from the US, British or French poster produced for exactly the same film.

Why collect Italian locandine?

For many collectors, the artwork is the main attraction. A familiar film can have a completely different appearance when interpreted by an Italian poster artist, and some locandine feature designs that are rarely seen elsewhere.

Their 33 × 70 cm size is another advantage. Compared with a 27 × 41 inch US One Sheet or a huge Italian 4-Fogli, a locandina is relatively straightforward to frame and display at home.

They also cover an enormous range of cinema. Locandine can be found for Italian productions and international releases alike, encompassing everything from spaghetti westerns, giallo and horror to science fiction, comedy, drama and major Hollywood films.

Prices and availability vary enormously. Some later titles can still be found relatively inexpensively, while desirable posters featuring important films, stars or artwork by sought-after artists can be considerably scarcer and more valuable.

What should collectors look for?

As with any vintage movie poster, the first consideration should be authenticity. An original locandina was produced as advertising material for the film's theatrical release or re-release in Italy; it should not be confused with a modern reproduction or decorative print.

Condition also matters, although collectors should remember that these were working pieces of cinema advertising rather than objects originally intended to be preserved.

Depending on age and use, an original example may show folds, pin holes, edge wear, small tears, writing or other signs of cinema display. These don't automatically make a poster undesirable – for many collectors they are simply part of its history – but significant damage, trimming or restoration should always be clearly identified.

It is also worth looking beyond the film itself. The poster artist, artwork, release period and particular design can all affect desirability. Sometimes an exceptional piece of artwork can make the locandina for a relatively obscure film particularly collectable.

Original release or re-release?

Not every vintage locandina dates from a film's first Italian release.

Successful films were frequently returned to cinemas, and new posters could be printed for subsequent theatrical runs. These re-release posters are still genuine original cinema posters, but they date from a later release rather than the film's original theatrical campaign.

For collectors, identifying the approximate date and release of a poster is therefore an important part of understanding exactly what they are buying.

Displaying and caring for a locandina

The convenient dimensions of a locandina make it an excellent format for framing, but the same conservation principles apply as with any original paper movie poster.

Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, moisture and large fluctuations in temperature. If framing a valuable example, consider UV-protective glazing, acid-free materials and reversible mounting methods rather than permanently attaching the poster to a backing board.

Folded posters don't necessarily need to be flattened or restored before framing. A good framer experienced with vintage paper can advise on displaying the poster safely while retaining as much of its original character as possible.

A distinctive piece of Italian cinema history

A locandina may be smaller than many traditional movie poster formats, but that is part of its appeal.

They combine distinctive Italian design with a practical display size and offer collectors access to artwork covering decades of international cinema. Whether you're collecting a particular film, director, actor, genre or poster artist, there is an enormous variety to discover.

Most importantly, an original locandina isn't simply a decorative image of a favourite film. It is a genuine piece of advertising produced for the Italian theatrical market and a surviving part of that film's original cinema history.

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Original Italian Locandina Movie Posters

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