Film & Stage Memorabilia | Collectibles & Collectors Items

Film memorabilia consist of anything related to cinema that is considered valuable, whether sentimentally or financially. Items may include original autographs, original theatre posters used to advertise the film, film props, photo stills, original costumes, original film scripts and more.

The concept of film memorabilia began with such things as scrapbooks, autographs, photographs and industry magazines, but quickly expanded in the post-World War II era. Collectors began seeking out original advertising material, and the classic "one sheet" movie poster became a popular object to own. Other material, such as lobby cards, international posters, personality posters and glass slides also became sought after. Today, the field of film memorabilia collecting has grown into an internationally recognised community of increasingly serious collectors, and also commonly includes movie props, costumes, and production materials such as concept art, call sheets, and screenplays. Many popular films have their collectible items sold via independent, online movie memorabilia stores, web auctions, and at film studio charity events for thousands of dollars, while memorabilia from such franchises as "Star Trek" and the James Bond films often net millions of dollars in revenue from auction houses such as Christies and Sotheby's.

History of Collecting Film Memorabilia
In the early days of film most people who were interested in keeping a memento from a particular film, or actor, did so by acquiring autographs or original photos or posters. Through the years, the passion for cinema has grown and now the film memorabilia collecting community is a large.

When the collecting of film memorabilia was in its infancy, collectors had to rely on a handful of news magazines that were full of various sellers offering mail order catalogues or asking to buy bulk lots, or particular items of interest. Occasionally, events would be organised which were structured around a live auction � these, while fewer in number today, still occur, and one can still buy memorabilia in person from trusted sellers on-site. The community was also fairly fragmented, with collectors and dealers spread out across the globe and no real consistent and reliable way to communicate with one another. The development of the Internet changed this situation significantly.

In the early days of the Internet, the larger community began to get in touch with one another through newsgroups, some of which still exist today and continue to provide information. As the Internet grew, and more people began using computers and the internet, collectors began communicating in ways never thought possible. In 1995, popular on-line email groups were formed, creating a central place for anyone with email to keep in touch about events important to the community. By 1997, the community had changed forever; eBay was quickly becoming the alternative marketplace after two years of steady growth. Suddenly, people had a way to sell pieces of their collection easily, and with consistently better results. Professional sellers took notice, causing many of them to close their bricks-and-mortar businesses and focus their attention completely on Internet sites and the future of the on-line marketplace.

In the early days of Internet selling, prices varied widely. One could find posters normally valued in the hundreds of dollars selling for twenty dollars, or, alternatively, find posters normally valued at twenty dollars going for a hundred, or more. Today, the market place for film memorabilia is mostly stabilised. While one can still see a rare film poster go for large amounts, it is far more common to find that items are priced either at or near market value.

Types of film memorabilia :

Film posters
Costumes and Props
Lobby cards
Still photos
Autographs

Make a Mint from Memorabilia
If you're serious about making money from movie antiques, go for originals, whether they are costumes, props or posters. In July 2005, a light sabre used by Luke Skywalker in the original "Star Wars" film sold for more than 113,000 at auction. A Stormtrooper helmet used in the original film sold for a similar amount at Christie's last year, having been picked up by one lucky punter, for £7, at a car boot sale 12 years ago. Of course, not all of us can spend thousands picking up movie memorabilia, but there are valuable items to suit smaller budgets. Safer investments include original movie posters � you can buy artwork for recent releases from specialist stores for as little as £10 and their value can soar dramatically. An original poster for the 1927 science fiction classic Metropolis recently sold for a world-record price of £398,000 - but more recent films can also fetch sizable sums. Promotional artwork for animated classics "Toy Story" and "The Lion King" currently sell for around £50. Be sure to buy original items, as you won't get much more than £15 for reprints. Collectable toys are also a lucrative investment - none more so than "Star Trek" items. The first action figures first went on sale in the UK in 1974 for under £10 - Captain Kirk and Mr Spock figures now fetch upwards of £100. Models of the Starship Enterprise, meanwhile, can make £120 and Bird of Prey, the enemy battleship, sells for £150. Remember, keep your toys in their original packaging.

Further Information
www.musicpicturedisc.com
www.MyThings.com
www.autographs-rockandpop.com