Unlike the world of movie poster collecting, which is regulated and controlled, the world of music poster bartering is haphazard and potentially difficult to navigate. However, once you familiarize yourself with some basic strategies, you should be able to invest wisely in posters which will appreciate. Most neophytes overvalue rarity and underestimate the importance of condition.

Popular concerts by popular bands can produce tens of thousands of music posters. However, original posters from tours by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, The Who, and other 70s icons are now worth hundreds of dollars in mint condition. The truth is that the vast majority of fans either don't save their posters at all or maintain them in terrible condition.

The quality of the artwork on a poster can determine its long-term value. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon poster, for instance, fetches a high auction price not just because of the band's reputation but also because of the poster's exquisite design. The cover art for the Beatles' White Album adds value because it perfectly reflects the changing artistic style of the group at the time.

When collected in conjunction with other music ephemera, music posters can generate huge returns for fans. Everything from ticket stubs to concert recordings to lighting used during a show may be resold at auction. The hardest part about collecting music posters is learning how to recognize the difference between original artwork and reprints or counterfeit artwork. Practice buying and trading small value posters first to learn the ropes.