1915 cracker jack poster going auction fresh to the market
 

Personally,I believe the conservation and more importantly the preservation, was the right move on this exquisite piece.

Based on the before / after pics, I'm surprised more couldn't be done if going through the restoration process. The poster still looks pretty dirty, and the paper added in the top right corner isn't even the same color.

Not saying I wouldn't want it to be restored, but I think I would've expected a bit more from the process.

I thought the same and thought there must be better restorers out there that could have done a much better job?
I know nothing of what is all involved so this is not a slam to the restorer(s), I was just thinking/expecting a lot better I guess.

I think some people's expectations of paper conservators are out of line with reality. I know some are better than others and I know some pieces come out better than others, but they're not magicians. For this piece, I think the paper addition looks great from the front, and the front matters more. I agree it's obvious from the back, but the best conservator in the world wouldn't be able to get a perfect match on paper that has been unevenly yellowing for over a century.

I am not against conserving a peice that legitimately needs it. That said, I really disagree that this needed it in the first place. The small chunks that were missing were marginal and the image was fully intact. I actually just overall like the poster better in it's previous state, as I equate that type of light, superficial damage to the story and history of the piece. I also agree that, and maybe it's just the scanner settings, the poster looks cleaner before it was "cleaned". To me, personally, it was worth more before. Now I wouldn't want it at all.

Maybe they could have done more but wanted to keep it somewhat original ?

Personally, I wouldn't have restored it at all. With the exception of part of one letter, every visual element of the poster was intact. It's got all the patina you need.

Frame it in a beautiful regular frame, or if you like, a double-sided glass frame because the back should be seen as well!

Great find either way.

+1