Everyone knows at least one avid moviegoer or film buff. Movies have been a national pastime for some time. Americans have loved movies ever since the first movie theatre opened on Canal Street in New Orleans in 1896. Plenty of people enjoy owning movie memorabilia even if they’re not dedicated collectors.
So if you’ve inherited or found some movie posters or memorabilia you don’t plan to keep for yourself, consider selling them at auction. Contact Central Mass Auctions or read on to learn more.
What makes movie memorabilia collectible?
First, let’s talk about autographs. Anything signed by a star can be worth a significant amount of money, but first you need to verify it was signed by a star. Many stars have used secretaries, autopen devices, and other methods to send out autographs – simply because they got too many requests. As discussed in this article, an authentication service can help you determine whether an autograph is genuine.
Autographs aren’t the only memorabilia worth a look, though. You may be able to sell at auction (for a considerable sum) posters, lobby cards, props, handbills, costumes, scripts, film cells, and even promotional materials from specific films or studios.
How much are movie posters and memorabilia worth?
It depends on the piece. Marilyn Monroe’s dress from The Seven Year Itch sold for $4.6 million in 2011. Some movie posters, even from movies as relatively recent as from the 1980s, can go for $300 to $400.
The condition of the piece plays a role in its value too, of course. Posters run on a grading system, similar to that used for coins, stamps, and comic books. The grading ranging from Grade 10 (“Mint”: never used or displayed, no holes, no tears, and minimum signs of wear) to Grade 0.5, “Poor,” which is for a poster too damaged to sell.
Authenticity is another major factor, and it’s not just a problem for autographs. Counterfeit reproductions of 1960s and 1970s posters are all too common. Though these reproductions may be fun to display on your wall, they aren’t worth anything. One quick way to tell is to check the size: a genuine movie poster from that era would be 27″ X 41″, whereas reprints often are 24″ x 36″.
Finally, consider the popularity of the movie. Hollywood has produced untold thousands of movies, but only a relative handful are what you’d call immortal. The poster from a forgotten summertime romance flick won’t compare to an old Casablanca poster. Still, certain genres do well regardless of whether anyone could name the movie: sci-fi, film noir, and horror memorabilia do particularly well thanks to dedicated fan bases.
Should you sell your movie memorability or film posters at auction?
If your memorabilia is truly valuable attempting to sell it yourself is the last thing you’ll want to do. You’ll need expert help to determine a feasible starting price, and to get it in front of people who know what your items are worth and who are willing to pay well for it.
Contact Central Mass Auctions today to get your movie memorabilia appraised and to set up your auction.
