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While I certainly do not claim to be an expert on all things Apple, I have noticed that there are a number of sellers selling fake Apple 'Think Different' posters at large prices.The first thing you need to know is that Apple made the posters in two different sizes: 11"x17" and 24"x36". They were never produced in 22"x28" or other formats. The 11"x17" posters came in a set of 30 that was sent to teachers around the country. It is referred to as an 'Educator set'. Because most of them were displayed in classrooms, they are quite rare. In the set there were three copies of each of the following:
Einstein
Earhart
Davis
Henson
Goodall
Gandhi
Lennon
Chavez
Watson
Picasso
The set also included paperwork from Apple talking about the campaign. All of this came in a nice box from Apple (not shrink-wrapped). If you see a shrink-wrapped box claiming all 30 posters are in there, I would be cautious. More than likely, however, the seller collected 30 posters and put them together (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).
Generally speaking, most 11"x17" posters on eBay are genuine because reproducing them would be expensive for the profit generated. Also note, that all of the 11"x17" poster are equally rare. Picasso is no more rare than Henson, for example. By the way, it is also common for a seller to list 10 11"x17" posters separately. They are hoping to make more money as opposed to selling them together and this does not make them a scammer.
Now on to the 24"x36" (or 36"x24"). Many of these on eBay are absolute fakes (reproductions/photocopies). If you see a seller offering three or more of the same poster, you can almost guarantee they are not genuine. No one was able to procure hundreds of these posters (they were for sale from Apple). Most of the time, when you email a seller asking about their authenticity, he/she will tell you they can't guarantee anything, but they believe them to be real. This is a lie to cover their own butts. If you look at their auctions, many just offer a 'poster' for sale, but never claim that it is a genuine Apple.
The Ad Proofs you see on eBay are also often fakes. Sellers make up pictures themselves, sell them as ad proofs and unsuspecting buyers think they are getting an 'ultra rare' poster. Either way they weren't made by Apple and they have never been considered in the Think Different campaign.
TIPS:
Demand actual pictures of the poster. Many legitimate seller will show the poster on their wall or on the floor holding the corners down (many 24"x36" posters were sent in cardboard tubes, the 11"x17" were all sent flat).
Look at the sellers feedback and 'items for sale'. If they are selling a ton of posters, they are more than likely reproductions. As a rule of thumb, if the seller has listed the same 24"x36" poster more than twice, they are likely fakes. Some collectors parting with their collections may list a number of posters at a time, but these people are easy to spot as legitimate.
Email the seller and ask for an explanation about how they came across all the posters. Ask if they will refund you if they are fakes. People who bought the posters first hand will have no problem refunding you if they are fakes because they KNOW FOR CERTAIN they aren't. If you are a collector, compare the posters you get to ones you know to be genuine.
Do not buy any sizes other than 11"x17" or 24"x36" (36"x24"). Also, do not buy ad proofs unless you can be certain of their authenticity. I have heard from numerous people that they have bought fakes on eBay.
If you are buying 11"x17" sets, try to buy them with the box - this almost guarantees their authenticity.
Look at the sellers feedback and 'items for sale'. If they are selling a ton of posters, they are more than likely reproductions. As a rule of thumb, if the seller has listed the same 24"x36" poster more than twice, they are likely fakes. Some collectors parting with their collections may list a number of posters at a time, but these people are easy to spot as legitimate.
Email the seller and ask for an explanation about how they came across all the posters. Ask if they will refund you if they are fakes. People who bought the posters first hand will have no problem refunding you if they are fakes because they KNOW FOR CERTAIN they aren't. If you are a collector, compare the posters you get to ones you know to be genuine.
Do not buy any sizes other than 11"x17" or 24"x36" (36"x24"). Also, do not buy ad proofs unless you can be certain of their authenticity. I have heard from numerous people that they have bought fakes on eBay.
If you are buying 11"x17" sets, try to buy them with the box - this almost guarantees their authenticity.
VALUES:
11"x17" individual - $20 - $30 each
Complete set (No box or paperwork) - $175 - $275
Set of 10 including the box and paperwork - $250 - $300
Set of 30 including the box and paperwork - $700 - $800
Apple 'Think Different' campaign catalog - $60 - $90
Because eBay is flooded with fakes, a smart buyer can get tremendous deals on these posters. Because of the number of fakes, it is difficult to come up with a fair value for the 24"x36" sizes. I will be updating this review once I am able to better determine the scarcity of the posters.
Guide created: 10/19/06 (updated 10/04/08)
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