A Buying Guide for Movie Memorabilia

Bring your favorite movies into your decorating scheme with movie memorabilia from your favorite films. Hollywood memorabilia comes in many different flavors and types, from autographed movie posters and theater cards to celebrity autographs to autographed movie photos and actual props. The world of movie memorabilia encompasses nearly anything associated with movies and the people who make them.

While entertainment collectibles can increase hugely in value and earn their owners thousands of dollars, most people collect movie memorabilia for the thrill of the hunt and the pleasure of ownership. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about authenticity and value, however. If you’re just starting a collection of movie memorabilia and entertainment collectibles, keep these things in mind.

Types of Memorabilia

Promotional posters are among the favorite types of movie collectibles, especially if they’ve been signed by one of the stars or the director of the movie. You’ll find promotional movie posters of all types, including foreign films, classic films and popular U.S. films. While posters from older classic films are rare and can be expensive, you can pick up a Star Wars poster or a poster for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest for a much more reasonable price. If you choose movie memorabilia from the most popular movies of the last few decades, you’ll get them at an affordable price and have a piece of movie memorabilia that is nearly guaranteed to increase in value.

Publicity items, such as promotional photos, press kits and lobby cards, are prized pieces of Hollywood memorabilia, especially if they’ve been autographed. Often, dealers in memorabilia will put together framed display collections of memorabilia that include a movie poster, celebrity autographs and even an item used on set.

Celebrity autographs are the most popular type of movie memorabilia, and a good way to get started in collecting.

No matter what type of memorabilia you choose to collect, authenticity is the key to value. There are a number of ways to ensure that you’re only buying authentic memorabilia – and this applies to all types of collectibles, including sports memorabilia, framed presidential memorabilia and celebrity autographs. These steps can help you ensure that you only buy authentic memorabilia of any kind.

Buy from a well-known dealer with an excellent reputation. The collectors’ world is a small one, and most people know each other, at least by reputation. When you buy from a dealer, online or off, you can check reputation with other collectors.

If you’re dealing with a new dealer or with an individual, ask for references from other buyers. If the seller can’t or won’t supply them, be suspicious.

Always get a certificate of authenticity for any piece of movie memorabilia with a signature or that is being advertised as a movie prop.

Collecting movie memorabilia can be both fun and profitable, as long as you take the time to research the pieces you buy and always ask for authentication.