The term "vintage" carries a number of contradictory connotations. A "vintage" object must be old and prized. Art collectors, fashionistas, and other first adopters of trends often "look backwards" into history to uncover interesting vintage ideas. Consider an example from the fashion world. Modern hip teens have adopted what's known as "vintage couture." They ironically dress themselves in hand-me-downs and secondhand items found at thrift stores. Many private art collectors have also recently "gone vintage." These mostly cosmopolitan collectors gather portraits and advertisements from the 1920s for framing. Colorful French advertisements for liquor, European billboards for chocolates, and old movie posters may all be considered vintage art. Some of the more popular vintage posters include prints such as "Lois Fuler, 1893" by Jules Cheret, "Asti Cinzano," by Leonetto Cappiello, and "Porto--Ramos Pinto," by Rene Vincent. Given the surging cultural value of vintage art, it's no surprise that the popularity of framed vintage posters has increased dramatically over the past several years. Collectors should be sure to authenticate all vintage prints. Non-original reproductions of 1920s advertisements don't carry nearly the cultural cachet and resale value of their original counterparts. At the same time, vintage art collectors should be wary of hanging clichéd posters. Decorators recommend dressing each room based on its furnishings and natural light scheme. Obviously, you don't want to put vintage art in every room. It may behoove you to work with an interior designer to develop the right balance of vintage pieces for your home. | 
