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A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Movie Memorabilia: Movie Props, Posters, and More

If you’re a movie fan, collecting movie memorabilia can be a fun hobby that lets you bring a piece of your favorite movies home with you. However, collecting memorabilia from movies can be a bit more complicated than gathering other items, and it’s essential to do your research before spending any money.

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of film memorabilia, how to get started, and what to look out for when collecting memorabilia.

What Is a Movie Memorabilia? 

Movie memorabilia is any item created specifically for or used in a film. This includes props, costumes, scripts, press kits, and more.

Moreover, memorabilia from movies are often highly sought after by serious collectors and can be worth a couple of thousand dollars, if not millions, of green paper.

Fans want to collect film items because it is a great hobby that allows them to own a piece of that movie’s historical events.

Setting a Budget for Movie Memorabilia Collectors

Before you start collecting memorabilia, it’s essential to set a budget. Collectible items from popular films can be expensive and sold depending on the item’s significance.

Determine how much you’re willing to spend and prioritize what you want to buy. This way, you’ll be ready to pounce when something you’re looking for becomes available.

Finding Authentic Sellers 

When it comes to movie items, there are many scammers out there. To avoid being ripped off, it’s essential to find authentic sellers. Look for reputable auction houses or auction websites, and always do your research before making a purchase.

Contact the seller and ask about the history of the movie collectibles they offer. Be wary of sellers who make false claims or are reluctant to provide information about big-hit collectibles, including theater items.

Popular Items to Collect (Movie Posters) 

There are quite a few things you can gather when it comes to items from this industry. Props are some of the most popular items to obtain. A hero prop, or the one used by the main character, is often the most sought-after, such as Iron Man.

Costumes are another popular item to get, especially those worn by famous actors or in iconic scenes, such as the white dress from Marilyn Monroe. Additionally, autographs, movie posters, and lobby cards are also highly collectible and sold for reasonable prices everywhere in the world.

Building Your Collection 

Once you start collecting, you’ll need to figure out how to store your items safely. Now, you’ll need to get creative with showing off your collection.

Item collectors can use display cases, shadow boxes, and other items to keep things safe and dust-free from their favorite movie of all time. Also, remember to handle your items carefully and keep them out of direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Final Thoughts

Collecting movie memorabilia is a fun hobby that allows movie fans to own a piece of movie history. Whether you’re interested in props, costumes, autographs, or a poster, there’s something for every collector that loves watching movies in the film industry.

Remember to set a budget, find authentic sellers, and handle your items with care. With a little bit of research and dedication, you can build a collection from a particular movie that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

 

Sources:

https://www.thehoarde.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-cinema-and-movie-memorabilia

https://www.taminoautographs.com/blogs/autograph-blog/movie-memorabilia-the-many-items-collected-around-the-world

Why the Grateful Dead Memorabilia Collection Can Change You

The Grateful Dead memorabilia has been going around stores for some time, and even though it’s not available everywhere, it still exists, and admirers of the music group know about it. Nowadays, it includes some of the most-wanted items out there since the members don’t play together anymore. The Grateful Dead memorabilia includes numerous products, but before you choose what you want to buy, you should get some context regarding the musicians.

The History of This American Rock Band

The Grateful Dead is a famousband because it formed when rock and blues groups such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys dominated the scene. Initially, the music of the Grateful Dead was ‘psychedelic,’ but its style had a ‘street party’ aspect to it. Decades passed, and nowadays, the band is still relevant due to its influence in different music genres, including jazz and country. The Rolling Stone magazine considered the Grateful Dead one of the greatest bands of all time, and it was introduced to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Even though only one of the Grateful Dead’s singles topped the charts in their 30-year career, they were the highest-grossing music group for a long time. The band’s approach to music was unique and marked many others because, unlike groups like The Beatles or The Stones, they did not work with a specific tracklist. Instead, they chose between a hundred or so songs, working ‘off the top of their heads.’ Moreover, a specific internet phenomenon started due to the Grateful Dead’s approach to live performances. Numerous small bands started improvising and being more flexible when choosing their songs, even incorporating elements from progressive rock and electronica.

What You Can Get If You Buy Memorabilia

Albums, posters, photographs, and other collectibles may be hard to come across if you adore them. Additionally, the price of the Grateful Dead memorabilia can be high. However, a lot of the Grateful Dead memorabilia was available at Stremmel Auctions, with online sales closing on December 9. It was valued at around $100,000 to $125,000 since Kant collected it in his 35 years with the band. Fans can buy the Grateful Dead memorabilia as well since some stores sell it. Autographed albums, signed guitars, and photos are some of the items you may come across in the Grateful Dead memorabilia compilations. If you’re lucky, you’ll get your hands on memorabilia that Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, or Phil Lesh, the band founders, touched! Music lovers can get vinyl records and t-shirts, and even though prices may vary based on what you want, you’ll add the Grateful Dead Memorabilia to your possessions.

Final Thoughts

The Grateful Dead memorabilia is available for people who admire them if you know where to find it. Even though the memorabilia may be high in price sometimes, you could come across something that the initial members of the music group touched and signed themselves. The remaining musicians don’t play together anymore, but the way the Grateful Dead made business inspired others. Now, you can get the Grateful Dead memorabilia if you want to remember them for everything they did.

 

 

How to Start Collecting Movie Memorabilia: What You Must Know to Begin

If you’re a fan of the big screen, movie memorabilia is probably something you’d love to add to different glass cases. When your loved ones visit you, you can show them the posters, costumes, and iconic items you’ve bought.

 

Many cinema collectibles are available out there. However, starting a collection is often challenging because you need to understand a few things before beginning.

Budget

You can’t pick the latest version of Star War’s Chewbacca costume and add it to your wish list if you have no idea how much money you can spend.

In many cases, fans start collecting movie posters, props, and different items because they can put some money aside for it. To fuel your obsession with the classics, you must choose how much you can spend on them. Otherwise, you may go overboard and have financial issues later on.

Do Some Research and Identify Trusted Sellers – A Prime Example of a Crucial Factor

If you go online, you may find signed pictures of Marilyn Monroe on The Seven Year Itch. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t trust everything you see, especially if the price is low.

Many Movies Are Famous, and That’s Risky

Since movies have been around for so long, everyone in the world knows that movie memorabilia/collectibles are valuable. Therefore, you should only trust recommended sellers when you’re buying film items.

 

Ask others who sold them their favorite memorabilia, and don’t be afraid to question them about the price they paid.

Knowing more about who sold movie props to other collectors will help you get context on what you can expect when you’re negotiating.

The Role of Advertising

Advertising can be deceiving, and many people say they sell original movie memorabilia even though they don’t own any of these products. If you want to ensure the items you buy are from the film you love, only trust sellers with good reviews and experience.

On occasions, you’ll find items featured in an auction or other private sales. It might bum you out, but don’t worry – as a collector, you’ll have plenty of other chances!

Do You Love Star Wars? Never Buy from Shady People!

This is one of the many examples of films that many people love. Due to that, there are numerous fake sellers out there, offering ‘original’ products under the same name, even though they might’ve even manufactured them at home.

You Won’t Know Until You Have It in Your Hands

Unfortunately, until you pay shipping expenses and the memorabilia arrives home, you won’t be able to see if it’s original or not. Therefore, if you want to protect yourself, never trust shady people!

Decide How You’ll Store Your Film History Collection

Lastly, you must choose where you’ll store the film memorabilia. Movie memorabilia can take up space, and you want to make sure you put them somewhere where they won’t suffer any damage.

Have Fun

Make a day out of it and invite your friends – you can show them what you got, watch your favorite characters in the movies you love, and have fun! Organize your props and wrap up your day by looking at your stuff and feeling fantastic!

Final Thoughts

Movie memorabilia is a great example of products that film lovers absolutely adore. However, if you take a look online, you’ll find that many people sold numerous items through shady advertising or false offers. Take care of yourself and your money, be careful of who you trust, and have fun while collecting film props!

 

 

Five Amazing Benefits of Buying Autographed Memorabilia Online

Sports lovers often enjoy having collectibles at home, especially if they’re authentic. Even though there are many options out there, purchasing autographed memorabilia online could be more convenient.

Getting Authentic Sports Memorabilia Is Convenient

Right now, you’re browsing through an article and reading about sports memorabilia, probably hoping it sheds some light on how to find signed baseballs or similar products.

The world now offers a myriad of alternatives to do online shopping, and you have the power on your hands (literally). Whether you’re looking for the best objects that major sports leagues offer or just some signed collectibles, having options on your phone, computer, or tablet is very convenient.

Nowadays, you don’t have to open your way through crowds of football fans anymore. Instead, go online, find the autographed collectibles you like, and pay!

You Can Browse Through Signed Memorabilia

Most, if not all, websites offer different categories for you to browse through. Whether you’re looking for signed helmets, framed jerseys, autographed baseballs, basketball memorabilia, or items from the National Football League, you can quickly hop from one webpage to the other and see what you can get.

Once you’ve clicked on one webpage to check out what it has, you can quickly browse through it before going to the next one. It’s fantastic and fast!

There Are More Collections to Pick From

You’ll often get many more options to choose from if you’re buying authentic memorabilia online. In many cases, you’ll even see a message that says the items can’t be ‘reproduced or duplicated without the express permission of Fanatics, Inc.,’ for example.

If that message is around, it means you’re probably seeing an original product from that company. As technology expands and online stores offer more alternatives, sellers have to give buyers what they want as well. Therefore, you may get many more items to choose from.

You’ll Get Better Prices When Buying Autographed Photos

The truth is that owners of online stores have less to worry about when it comes to physical spaces. Consequently, they frequently offer better prices because they don’t need to pay rent, maintenance, etc.

In many cases, online store owners try to keep prices as affordable as possible because they know they have a lot of companies and sellers to compete against.

Furthermore, sellers will not only offer top-notch prices but also accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and other forms of payment.

You Can Check Out Testimonials and Reviews

Another fantastic aspect of buying certified, authentic, signed items online is that you can check out reviews and testimonials that people have left on the site.

If there are unhappy customers, you’ll probably know about it right away. Therefore, you can leave the site and buy someplace else. Alternatively, if people love the store, take a leaf out of their book and get your items there too!

Final Thoughts

Whether you love college football or dream of getting autographed helmets and signed jerseys, sports collectibles are available for you, and buying them online offers various benefits to take advantage of!

 

Elon Musk Signed Model Tesla and NFT Auction

It is with great excitement that we announce the launch of our new venture – an opportunity that has not been seen before in the memorabilia landscape.

Beginning on August 29th, we will begin enhancing our inventory by selling non-fungible token (NFT) matches to some of the most unique and exciting items in our inventory.

elon musk signed NFT

Want to be the first to know about future NFT opportunities?

Simply enter your first name and email below and we will notify you about future NFT and memorabilia opportunities.

To kick-off this expansion, we’ve partnered with decentralized finance (DeFi) community, HODL Token to auction a model Tesla signed by Elon Musk and authenticated by Beckett, paired with a signed model Tesla NFT.

This exclusive listing will be the inaugural product in the HODL Diamond Marketplace.

We greatly look forward to demonstrating the value that NFTs can bring to the  memorabilia marketplace as an investment over the short and long term and we can think of no better way to start that journey than by partnering with the smart, cutting edge crypto buyers at HODL.

The auction will begin on August 29th at 8PM EST and last for 10 days. The opening bid will be set to 7.5 Ethereum. For more information on the auction or to participate, please visit www.thehodltesla.com.

To learn more about our Elon Musk Signed Memorabilia inventory:

Browse Our Collection

For more information on HODL Token, please visit www.joinhodl.org

Posted in NFT

Choosing Statement Pieces for Your Signature Room

Everyone wants that one highlight piece to make an impression in their basement, man-cave, or signature room. But with tens of thousands of hand-signed collectibles to choose from, how do you know where to start?  Selecting the perfect piece may seem overwhelming but we’re here to help! Read below for expert advice in narrowing down your search so you can select that one statement piece that will perfectly complement your space and reflect your personality and interests. 

 

1. Measure Your Space

The first step is to make sure you have the wall space to properly display a given item – No one wants to buy a beautiful display piece only to realize it doesn’t fit the available wall space, or even worse, is too small to make an impression in the selected area. Start by evaluating the room you have and deciding what type of item will best fit the space.  

Maybe you have a little more room and are looking for a truly show-stopping piece that can fill an entire wall and act as the focal point of your home? You may find that a full-size guitar will perfectly fit the bill to impress anyone that steps foot into your home.

Maybe you have a dedicated theatre room and are looking for an original full-sized movie poster to hang on the wall. Whether you are looking for Hollywood legends like Warren Beatty or Sophia Loren or a current box office star like Denzel Washington or Natalie Portman, authentically signed posters will definitely make a statement. 


On the other hand, you may be working with a smaller space, or you may have another focal point with other memorabilia already displayed. In that case photographs or autographed records would be the perfect fit to fill out your collection and provide rich, eye-catching, texture to your room. 

 

2. Narrow Your Focus

The next step to truly telling your personal story in your space is to choose an area of focus. You don’t want to leave an impression of a random collection, you want to communicate a purpose and a passion, so think about what you love. 

Are you a huge Springsteen or Rolling Stones fan?  A signed photograph or album with a custom frame will make a true statement piece that your friends won’t see anywhere else.  

Perhaps film or television are more your speed? Authentically signed memorabilia featuring Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or  Sylvester Stallone will make an impression that will leave your friends in awe. 

Are you a sports fan? What could suit your man-cave better than signed, authentic, sports memorabilia? 

Can’t find what you’re looking for?  Consider commissioning a custom-framed autographed item for an absolutely one-of-a-kind statement!

 

3. Frame it!

So you’ve selected the perfect piece? Great! But you don’t want to make a significant investment in collectible memorabilia just to plop it anywhere! The next step is to have our team assist with our custom framing option to present the item in the best way possible.

 

4. Choose a Reputable Dealer

Don’t get taken by dime-a-dozen websites with great prices and big promises of authentic signatures. These online stores rarely offer reliable guarantees or stand behind their items. As soon as they take your money you’ll likely never be able to get in touch with them again and, sadly, you will more than likely be left with a fraudulent signature which is worthless. Instead, take the time to do your research and make sure you select a trustworthy retailer that offers proof of authentication and guarantees every item they sell.

 

Ready to Make Your Dream a Reality?

Before you purchase a museum-quality item, be sure to evaluate the room you want to display it in and measure the size of your space.  

Don’t neglect the details, make sure your item will be ready to display upon arrival by contacting our custom framing department who can assist you with your questions and help you ensure proper framing. 

Don’t rush into a decision. Take your time to narrow your focus and choose a focal point that will express your passion! If you’re ready to invest in that signature piece, check out our store or contact us any time. We’d love to help you find the perfect item to suit your space!

Signed Memorabilia as an Investment – To Buy or Not to Buy?

Market Value Sustainability

There is no doubt that hand signed memorabilia holds substantial value which often increases over time. Unique and one of a kind items such as the memorabilia featured on our site have significantly appreciated in value over the past years. 

Some of our more investment savvy customers are constantly searching for items that fit this category. With the help of our team at Autographia, we are able to curate items that we believe will hold the most value over time for this type of buyer.

For example, photos signed by Jack Nicholson which sold for about $500 three to five years ago, are now valued at over 5x that price. 

With a market that is flooded with cheap forgeries, authentic examples are increasingly more difficult to find. That only has been compounded with the uncertainty of the current pandemic environment.

There is no guarantee that new authentic items with this level of value will appear on the market. This uncertainty has also significantly led to an increase in value.

If you are thinking of taking advantage of this increase in value to make an investment of your own, read below to learn more about how to get started.

 

What to Look For

Age, degree of fame, and, most importantly, uniqueness of the item all play a role in determining which autographs will make the best investment over the short and long term.

Other factors to consider include the quality of the signature, the era the item is from, and story – a unique narrative associated with the item will automatically increase it’s value. 

Other interesting investments to consider are complete collections. For example, the purchase of an entire set of Star Wars signed scripts is likely to translate to a substantially marked-up sale of the same collection over time.

We have seen this happen consistently over the years among collectors of screenplay sets, full band album collections, or signed book series. 

Whether you are investing in the signature of a celebrity who has passed, looking to collect a piece of history, or investing in someone who’s career appears to be on-the-rise, the more unique the marketability, the stronger the long term investment. 

Autographs offer an effective diversification avenue for customers with a substantial investment portfolio. Memorabilia offers a unique, promising, and fun investment opportunity.

 

What to Avoid 

While collecting autographs can definitely be a fun hobby, not every autographed piece that may have meaning to a collector is a good investment.

When purchasing with investment in mind it is important to consider factors that will affect the long-term value of the signed piece. These factors include: 

  • Items that are not authenticated, are difficult to authenticate, or are not very rare. 
  • Items that are signed by important or iconic figures – but not during important parts of their career. 
  • Signatures of niche celebrities who are unlikely to maintain cultural relevance over time. 
  • disreputable dealers

While all investments come with some risk, the best way to ensure that you are making a smart investment that is likely to increase in value over time, is to consult a qualified professional before making a big purchase.

 

Authentication 

It goes without saying that an autograph that is not authentic, will be worthless in terms of investment or, indeed, sentimental value.

This is why it is absolutely essential to consult with experienced professionals to make sure the item you are considering is authentic.

Otherwise you could be throwing your time, money, and emotional investment down the drain. 

 

Our Predictions

At Autographia we are always eager to advise you and offer guidance regarding which pieces we think will be the best investment.

You can always contact us with any questions and we will be happy to help you create a personalized investment strategy based on your budget, interest, and existing portfolio.

To get you started we’ve included a few basic predictions for the hottest names with the best staying power based on current and past trends. 

 

Music: 

When it comes to investing in the memorabilia signed by musicians, we recommend the oldies in general. More specifically you can’t go wrong owning a piece signed by Elton John, The Rolling Stones, or Bruce Springsteen. 

 

Movies:

If you interests lie more with the silver screen, we project the same surge that has seen prices explode for classic celebrity royalty like Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood to occur over time with the slightly younger, but proven, Hollywood leading actors such as Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, and Robert Deniro. 

New inventory on the market for these types of names is becoming scarcer and scarcer. 

We would also expect to see prices for the older generations of proven stars to continue to rise as they draw nearer to the end of their careers and toward being memorialized in history.

 

Television:

The same trends can be seen for established TV celebrities. Prices have skyrocketed for names like Bryan Cranston, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and the Friends cast.

Well established, classic shows that are no longer on the air provide significant opportunity for investors.

Stock is limited as-is, and because these shows are no longer airing, opportunities to acquire new inventory have significantly decreased, which has caused investors to be keen on these types of items and prices to shoot up. 

 

Ready to Invest?

If you’re ready to take the plunge into the fun and lucrative world of autograph investments, you are in the right place! At Autographia, our experts are able to leverage our broad and deep understanding of the market to advise our customers regarding these investment strategies.

We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Buy Authentic Autographed Memorabilia

The demand for autographed memorabilia has never been greater.  As fans and collectors look for signed photographs, albums and even guitars to adorn the walls of their homes and man-caves, unscrupulous individuals have seized the opportunity to flood the internet with forgeries.

There is nothing worse than spending money on a prized collectible, only to find out years down the line that it is not genuine.  Here at Autographia, we take authenticity very seriously.

 

What We Look For

So what, exactly, do we look for to tell that a signature is authentic? We look at details like the type of writing instrument used. For example you’re not going to find many (if any) authentic examples of John Lennon’s signature in blue sharpie as it was only introduced to the public the year before his death.

We also examine the pressure of the ink in the signature and the slant of the writing to ensure they match other well-known authentic examples. A left-handed person’s signature will generally have a completely different slant than that of a right-handed person for instance.

These are just a few examples of the kinds of details that a trained expert will know to look for which is why it is so important to find a reliable company.

 

Common Forgery Tricks 

While It is best to seek expert authentication for any purchase you are considering, these are a few common forgery tricks to be on the lookout for.

Stamped signatures -Many forgeries are made with stamps of a celebrity signature. These signatures will typically be flat and not raised or depressed, and unnaturally smooth and uniform in appearance. However it is not safe to assume that a signature that is raised or depressed is authentic.

Some items are signed with an actual pen however it was the forger who signed it, not the actual celebrity. These are too way too common. The FBI has estimated that conservatively 70% of all autographs online are fake. 

Additionally a seemingly realistic signature may have been made with an autopen –  a machine that uses a copy of the actual signature and is made to look real. While an obviously stamped signature can be cause for suspicion, even one that looks much more convincing needs a professional authentication to be sure. 

Secrecy – There is no good reason for a seller to want to hide the sale or purchase of the signed memorabilia. If a seller asks for secrecy, it may be a sign they do not stand by the veracity of the signature and will likely disappear after selling you the forged memorabilia.

Context -Do the historical details match up? For example, a genuine Carrie Fisher signature could not possibly be available on a Last Jedi Poster, since its release was after her unfortunate passing. Is the seller claiming the item was signed at a location that doesn’t make sense. Don’t be tempted by an item that feels “off” or doesn’t make sense.

Too good to be trueYou should be very wary other sites where supposedly authentic signatures can be had well below market value – as the old adage goes “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”

 

Take Your Time

Finally it is always important to take your time when making purchasing decisions and ask questions! Don’t let someone pressure you into a quick purchase, which is almost always a red flag. 

Trusted sources like Autographia want you to feel comfortable in your purchase and cherish it for years to come! Our dedicated teams of experts inspect every item that is available for purchase within our collection to ensure that we provide fans with only 100% genuine memorabilia.

We are always happy to answer questions about specific items or about collecting in general.

So please take time to explore our collection and find the PERFECT piece that suits your interests. At Autographia, you will find every item has been examined and certified by one or more of the industry’s top autograph authenticators. You can rest assured you will receive an authentic hand signed item with the Autographia name backing it.