Theatre, Opera & Ballet Memorabilia | Collectibles & Collectors Items

Over the years a lot of memorabilia has been accumulated for the theatre, ballet and opera and the sub-categories of these performing arts such as musicals. This type of memorabilia includes posters, old tickets, performance programmes, photographs, letters, photographs, paintings, flyers, postcards, autographs and stage props. There are a some companies, national and international, that exist solely to sell this type of collectible, however many individuals sell second hand items and some other firm offer this type of memorabilia as a sideline. Performing Art memorabilia is fairly widely available and is there for more serious collector who is interested in stage history and its numerous items of fascination. However a lot of the memorabilia is inexpensive and for those who simply have an interest in the performing arts or one aspect of them, it can also be an enjoyable hobby. There are many interesting items to collect -- even just for fun you can buy one or two items such as posters for bedroom walls or a set of black and white photographs to pin up. Theatrical collectibles can also make great presents for people so it is well worth taking a look at this type of memorabilia for all kinds of reasons even if you don't have a massive interest, yourself.

Theatre Memorabilia
Most theatrical memorabilia is categorised by type and age. The locations of interest for collectors are largely theatres in the USA and in Britain. The sort of item for sale includes theatre programs that are usually divided into timeframes such as pre 1900, pre 1940 and post 1940. It might surprise some to find out that the difference in price between the different times is relatively little. The historical value is not necessarily translated into a financial value unless the programme is for a particularly famous theatre production such as one of the first Gilbert and Sullivan productions or stars a particularly famous actor or actress -- or indeed has a famous writer such as Shakespeare. The price range for theatre programmes is around �3-10. For later programmes, the higher prices are for better known productions such as John Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger.'

Other memorabilia includes playbills, letters and assorted documents which start from around a few pounds in price. However, if they have been signed, then the value of the document increases. A playbill signed for a more famous play such as Pinter's 'The Homecoming' is probably worth over �10. Letters from more well known persons associated with the theatre such as J L Toole or Maxine Elliot have a market value of around �25. Books, plays and magazines are also usually priced fairly low, particularly if bought second hand and should only cost a few pounds unless they are special, rare or first editions. Books and plays that have been signed either by the cast, writer or director are also of a greater value. However the actual value of the book is entirely dependant on who has signed it and also how many available copies, signed or unsigned, exist in the world. An independent company who sells this type of memorabilia can value signed pieces or you can look at their prices to use as a benchmark when considering selling or purchasing a piece of memorabilia for yourself.

You can also buy theatre photographs and flyers which are perhaps some of the more nostalgic pieces of theatre memorabilia and can sometimes be more unusual and expensive. Real photographs, especially black and white shots are worth far more than programmes. They usually start at around �20 and are increasingly expensive depending upon the subject. Sometimes these are signed by relatively famous actors and actresses such as Honor Blackman or Lynn Redgrave. A professional company will offer a guarantee that these signatures are genuine although buying privately is a greater risk. Postcards, however, are distinctly less expensive and cost only around �2-�3. Photographs are more suited to serious collectors whereas postcards are more likely to function as decorative pieces in the home. Posters are also popular to buy at low prices. There are a variety of performing arts posters and these can usually be purchased at prices similar any other poster.

Collections and Rare Pieces
There are many special complete collections of theatre memorabilia and these vary in price. They range from collections of memoirs or letters to box sets of prints to early stage workings of a production such as draft advertising, writing, flyers and articles. They also include rare sets of prints that are worth more than common prints. These collections are, again, more suited to serious collectors.

Some companies and museums also have their own collections of more expensive memorabilia. These are occasionally sold as individual pieces. This may include heavyset pieces such as lithographs, semi-graphs and silk-screens. These are among the more expensive items of memorabilia and prices tend to start from around �50, rising to more than �1,000 -- particularly if produced by artists associated with the theatre such as Al Hirschfield who has won two Tony Awards for his work. His lithographs, etchings and Artists proofs begin at around �500. Not all these types of collections are for sale, some are only available to view at museums and galleries -- but there is still a lot available to buy.

Buying Theatre, Opera & Ballet Memorabilia
Whether you are a serious collector or would just like to buy some collectibles to decorate the house, there is a huge choice out there. It is more difficult to get hold of ballet or opera material as there is less available. Here, the most expensive items are likely to be bought in connection with famous productions including world-renowned dancers such as Moira Shearer or Rudolph Nureyev. Like theatrical memorabilia the more expensive items are priced in accordance with the people associated with the theatre or production in question, whether they are actors, playwrights, artists, choreographers or directors.