Version 3.0

Last Update 05 April 2010

Sources for Buying Movie Memorabilia

Indicates a recent CHANGE OR ADDITION.

5.1 Are there any annual shows or events?

Your best bet for finding affordable posters is to attend the many film conventions and collectible shows that are held around the United States. In addition to the many dealers who set up shop during these events, you'll have the chance to meet other collectors and view some classic films on the screen, since many of the shows feature non-stop screening rooms.

The best part buying at at film convention is that you can carefully inspect your potential purchases before buying. And you also have the opportunity to haggle over price-- something we don't get to do very often in today's world. At a convention, haggling is not only welcomed, it's nearly expected! Don't be shy about it!

The major shows (in the US) in order of date are:

March 2011 (Dates To Be Announced)

CINEFEST 31
Syracuse Cinephile Society
Robert Oliver
4173 Steamwood Drive
Liverpool, New York 13090-1392
315-409-4625 Pre-paid evening calls only 7-9 pm ET
E-Mail: roliver@syracusecinephile.com
Web site: http://www.syracusecinefest.com

Cinefest suffered a great loss on January 6, 2002 when its founder, Phil Serling, passed away after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident. Cinefest 22 went on as planned in his honor.

Memorial Day Weekend (Last weekend in May)
May 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2010

CINEVENT
P.O. Box 13463
Columbus, Ohio 43213
1-614-229-3555 (24 Hour Hotline)
E-mail: Steve Haynes [shaynes@cinevent.com]
Web site: http://www.cinevent.com

The 2010 edition of Cinevent will be the convention's 42nd annual event. Held at the the Midwest Hotel and Conference Center on the north side of Columbus, Ohio, the convention features non-stop classic film screenings and nearly 200 dealer tables featuring all kinds of movie memorabilia. Also at the same hotel during Cinevent is the Vintage Poster Art Auction, organized by Morris Everett, Jr. of the Last Moving Picture Company. Visit their web site at: http://www.vintagefilmposters.com for more information.

You can call the 24 hour number and ask to be added to the Cinevent mailing list. Admission for the weekend (which includes all film screenings at the hotel) is $30  in advance or $35 at the door. Dealer Room daily passes are also available at the door for $12.  Inquire about dealer rates and hotel room specials. Admission to special 35mm film screenings, held at the Wexner Center on the campus of The Ohio State University are additional. Transportation to the OSU campus is not provided. Wexner screenings are not held every year--Check Cinevent's web site for more information.

Information for each year's event usually appears after January on the web site.

June 3-5, 2010

MEMPHIS FILM FESTIVAL
P.O. Box 87
Conway, AR 72033
E-mail: [rnielsen@alltel.net]
Web site: http://memphisfilmfestival.com

The Memphis Film Festival began in 1972 as the Western Film Festival. The event has expanded and now includes nostalgic movies and television shows. Held at the Whispering Woods Hotel and Convention Center in Olive Branch, MS (25 miles southeast of Memphis), the show features a large list of celebrity guests and a large dealer's room.

Registration rates (for all 3 days) are $65 per person. The discount rate for couples is no longer available. Daily admission is available for $25. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 662-895-2941 or online: http://www.wwconferencecenter.com. Mention the Memphis Film Festival when making reservations to receive the special festival rate.

June 25-27, 2010

MONSTER BASH 2010
Creepy Classics
P.O. Box 643
Latrobe, PA 15650
1-724-532-5226
Web site: http://www.creepyclassics.com

The International Classic Monster Movie Conference will be held at the Days Inn Conference Center, 139 Pittsburgh Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001. The show features more than 100 tables of movie collectibles and appearances by special guests. Scheduled for 2010 are Ann Robinson, star of War of the Worlds (1953) and Billy Gray from 1951's Day the Earth Stood Still.  Also included in the admission price are non-stop screenings and seminars with the many horror celebs in attendance. Advance Tickets are $30.00 for the 3-day event if purchased before January 1, 2010, $35.00 if purchased before June 1, 2010 and $40.00 if purchased after that date. Tickets are available at the door for $45.00 for all 3-days, or $20.00 for a single day's admission. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult paid admission.

Labor Day Weekend
September 2-6, 2010

CINECON 46
3405 Glendale Boulevard
#251
Los Angeles, California 90039
Web site: http://www.cinecon.org 

Cinecon is held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, California,  and features classic film screenings, personal appearances by many celebrities from Hollywood's Golden Age, and dealers selling movie memorabilia. Cinecon is one of the oldest shows in the United States, having begun in 1964. The Hotel also offers special room rates for Cinecon. Call 1-800-HOTELS-1 or 1-714-445-4898 for information.

Membership in the Society for Cinephiles in required ($20); Registration for the entire 5-day event is $80  per person; The Celebrity Banquet is $85 additional. Cinecon offers a "Full Monty" discount of $150.00 for registration, membership and banquet.  Day passes are available (price varies) and a dealers room pass is $10 daily. For more information call 1-800-411-0455.

September 23-25, 2010

THE MID-ATLANTIC NOSTALGIA CONVENTION
Martin Grams
P.O. Box 189
Delta, PA 17314
Phone: 1-443-286-6821 Ask for Martin
E-mail: mmargrajr@hotmail.com
Web site: http://www.midatlanticnostalgiaconvention.com

2010 Rates: Admission for the weekend is $45. Daily Admission is $15. Children under 10 (or they can pass for 10) are free. Paid registration before July 1 is available for $30 for the entire weekend. There is an optional Saturday night dinner buffet/banquet for an additional $35 charge. Admission is also available at the door at a higher price.

September 23, 24, 25, 26, 2010

FALL CINESATION
The Lincoln Theater
Massillon, Ohio

The Great Lakes Cinephile Society
P.O. Box 352
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
1-989-652-8253

E-Mail: info@cinephiles.org
Web site: http://www.cinephiles.org/

The 2002 event was cancelled, ending a 12 year run in Bay City, Michigan, after the Temple Theatre was closed. Reports on the web site state an auction sale of the theatre was pending. Cinesation has regrouped and moved to the Lincoln Theater in Massillon, Ohio. 

2010 rates not yet released. 2009 fees: Pre-registration $55. Admission at the door $65. A 1-Day pass $35.

October 2010 (Dates to be announced)

CINEMA WASTELAND MOVIE AND MEMORABILIA EXPO
P.O. Box 81551
Cleveland, Ohio 44181
1-440-891-1920 (1 pm - 9 pm US Eastern Time)
E-mail: info@cinemawasteland.com
Web site: http://www.cinemawasteland.com

The Midwest's premiere horror, fantasy, cult film and collectible convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, 15471 Royalton Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136, just minutes from downtown Cleveland. For hotel reservations, call 440-238-8800 and ask for the Cinema Wasteland room rate of $89 per night. For additional hotel options, visit the show's web site. Use discount code CIN to get the Cinema Wasteland special rate. 2009 Prices: Ticket prices: VIP 3 Day Pass: $35 until September 4, 2009, $40 until September 18, 2009, $45 at the door. Single day admission: $15 until September 4, 2008, $20 at the door. Single day tickets are $15 on Sunday only whether purchased in advance or at the door. Tickets are non-refundable.

5.2 What about auctions?

In this age of the Internet, "auction" has taken on a new meaning. Now you have the choice of the traditional in-person auction or the increasingly popular "on-line auction."

Traditional Auctions

When Christie's entered the movie poster auction business in 1990 the investment potential of the hobby became shockingly clear--mainly in the astronomical prices many pieces of movie memorabilia were getting.

Today, auctions can be a source of items for your collection, but you had better have deep pockets. Even if you can't afford to purchase any of the beautiful posters at an auction (or dare to bid!), an auction does give you the chance to view otherwise unobtainable posters up close. And the catalogs produced by the major auction houses are almost collectible in themselves--usually featuring high quality printing on glossy paper, with full-color reproductions of the items to be auctioned.

For a list of the 100 all-time record high Auction prices check this site:

http://www.posterprice.com/Top100.asp

For information on upcoming auctions and available catalogs contact the following auction houses (listed in alphabetical order):

BONHAM'S AUCTION CHELSEA
65 Lots Road
London, UK SW10 0RN
Telephone: 0171 393 3900

Web site: http://www.bonhams.com

BUTTERFIELDS
220 San Bruno Avenue          7601 Sunset Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94103      Los Angeles, CA 90046
1-415-861-7500 ext. 322       1-213-850-7500 ext. 259
E-Mail: info@butterfields.com

Web Site: http://www.butterfields.com

To order illustrated catalogs: 
USA: 1-800-223-2854 ext. 3205
International: 415-861-0220

CHRISTIE'S AUCTIONS
219 E. 67th Street
New York, NY 10021

CHRISTIE'S AUCTIONS
85 Old Brompton Road
London, ENGLAND SW7 3LD

Web Site: http://www.christies.com

HERITAGE MOVIE POSTER AUCTIONS
100 Highland Park Village, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75205
1-214-528-3500
1-800-USCOINS
214-520-6968 (FAX)

Web Site: http://www.heritagemovieposters.com

BRUCE HERSHENSON
P.O. Box 874
1 Court Square
West Plains, MO 65775
1-417-256-9616
1-417-257-6948 (FAX)

Web Site: http://www.emovieposter.com

SOTHEBY'S AUCTION HOUSE
1334 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
1-212-606-7000

SOTHEBY'S AUCTION HOUSE UK
34-35 New Bond Street
London, ENGLAND W1A 2AA

Note: Camden House (previously listed in this FAQ) has gone out of business.

On-Line Auctions

The future of the movie memorabilia auction, at least for the everyday collector, is online. The most popular site for the auctioning of movie collectibles is eBay [http://www.ebay.com]. Often some genuine bargains can be had by surfing the eBay site on a regular basis.

The eBay site features a huge number of item categories, but movie memorabilia collectors will be primarily concerned with the MOVIES & TELEVISION category and its sub-category MEMORABILIA-MOVIE.  For a complete list of eBay categories visit: http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/overview.html. To zero in on the Entertainment Memorabilia categories visit: http://entertainment-memorabilia.ebay.com/.

In early 2004, the movie memorabilia categories underwent another one of eBay's infamous reorganizations; Now buyers and sellers must deal with a greatly expanded list of categories and subcategories.

You should remember that sellers are free to place their item in ANY category...and do! Meaning out-of-place items are rampant on eBay. EBay does nothing to enforce category-appropriate placement of auction items. Surfing eBay categories can become extremely annoying when the pre-1940 poster category includes laser-printed reproductions instead of the original One-Sheets you are seeking.

Your best bet in navigating these unruly categories is to use eBay's search feature to locate specific items you may be interested in.

This is the most useful feature on the eBay site. If you are looking for a particular title or star, searching here can save a lot of time and alert you to items that might be placed in an inappropriate category by an inexperienced seller (can you smell a bargain here?). Another tip: try searching for common misspellings...you might find a hidden treasure with no bids! 

Most eBay ads feature images along with their detailed descriptions, thus allowing you to at least see electronically what you are bidding on. 

To use eBay you must register and obtain a password. Detailed directions can be found on the site's home page. There are a few "rules" which you should follow (this will avoid the dreaded negative feedback from being posted to your e-mail address for all users to see):

• Don't bid unless you are prepared to follow through, this is a legal contract after all
• Ask questions BEFORE you bid (condition, how much to ship, etc.)
• If you are lucky enough to win, send payment promptly and follow the seller's instructions
• Make it clear to the seller what you expect in terms of packaging your item to insure it arrives intact (Read section 5.5 for tips on packing)
• If you are happy with the transaction, don't forget to post positive feedback for the seller

If you encounter any problems while using eBay, the service has a helpful support staff that will try to assist you. But take heed of the eBay warning: They don't guarantee ANYTHING being auctioned on the site. Its between you and the seller. Its not often that things go wrong, but on a service as large and busy as eBay, its inevitable that a few bad apples will appear.

After you become familiar with eBay you may want to try your luck at being the seller. If that's the case, read eBay regulations carefully, particularly where fees are involved. Also be sure you really want to sell your item before placing it on-line. You don't want to just "test the waters" to see what a poster is worth by placing it up for auction. Read the section on RESERVE auctions carefully--this may protect you from loosing a somewhat valuable piece to an extremely low bid. This will give you some sort of insurance in case eBay's system goes down during the closing hours of your auction (when most bids seem to be placed, by the way!). You might also want to consider identifying yourself as a MoPo List Member in your eBay ad as a sort of "MoPo Seal of Approval." Many MoPo members have begun searching eBay for the word "mopo" to check out what fellow list members have up for auction.

This MoPo List Member Logo is available for use on web sites and in eBay ads.  All list members are free to save this logo to their hard drives and use it freely. It would be appreciated if you would link the logo back to the MoPo Web Site (http://www.filmfan.com) whenever you use it. (A big thanks to MoPo List Member Tim O'Conner for designing the logo.)

Poster collectors do have an alternative auction site dedicated exclusively to movie memorabilia. Created by J.R.Sparrow, a MoPo List member, Movie Poster Bid went live on 23 March 2004, with the promise to be a better place for movie poster fans to buy and sell. After all, MoPoBid was created by movie poster collectors for movie poster collectors. In March 2006 Movie Poster Bid was purchased by Richard Halegua, also a MoPo List Member.

J.R. announced the opening of MoviePosterBid.com in 2004 with this posting on MoPo:

The lights dim in the theater and the screen starts to flicker... Words 20 feet tall slowly scroll across the stars:

 

Not so very long ago...
In a galaxy remarkably like this one...
The auction emPire ruled with an iron fist...

 

Now...
A small group of movie poster collectors
bands together to resist
the tyranny of the emPire...

 

Devoted exclusively to movie posters..
This new auction site...
This new hope is...

Registration is free. The site features a comprehensive FAQ which details how Movie Poster Bid operates and the fees involved in selling on the site. New owner Rich promises many new features and improvements. MoPo proudly supports this new venture and wishes Rich the best of luck.

5.3 How do you find a reputable dealer?

There are many collectors and dealers who have a large assortment of memorabilia for sale and in some cases, trade. Your best source for locating them are the various collector's magazines mentioned in this FAQ or ask your fellow list members for recommendations.

A list of dealers can be found in section 6.1.

5.4 What is the proper way to conduct Internet transactions?

The proper procedure for handling Internet sales is completely different from a telephone transaction--and these differences can get you into trouble. Read on for some examples of "dealing on the Internet."

Provided by MoPo member Evan Zweifel:

As an impartial observer, and occasional seller of posters over the net, I have a few notes.

1) Buying/selling over the net is entirely different than over the phone; the transactions take too much time. It is too easy for a second party to interfere! Be very explicit about your intentions -- NO WAFFLING!

TELEPHONE VERSION:

BUYER: Hello, I'm interested in poster blah.
SELLER: Great!, its in condition X.
BUYER: What's it look like.
SELLER: It's ugly.
BUYER: Alas, please hold it for me until tomorrow evening.

NET VERSION:

BUYER 1 (day 1): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah.
SELLER (day 2): Great!, it's in condition X.
BUYER 2 (day 2): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah -- please
hold it for me, I don't care what condition it's in
I'm sending the check.
SELLER (day 3) to BUYER 2: Great! Send the check.
BUYER 1 (day 3): I'd like to buy that!!
SELLER (day 3) to BUYER 1: Bummer dude, I've already sold it.

OPTIONAL NET VERSION:

BUYER 1 (day 1): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah.
SELLER (day 2): Great!, its in condition X, I'm holding it for you!
BUYER 2 (day 2): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah.
BUYER 3 (day 2): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah.
SELLER (day 3) to BUYER 2: Hmm, I'm holding it,
if its still available I'll send mail.
SELLER (day 3) to BUYER 3: Hmm, I'm holding it,
if its still available I'll send mail.

Wait for some number of days during which BUYER 1 never replies, and then try to contact BUYERS 2 and 3 (if you can remember who they are)...

Anyway, neither of the 2 net versions are acceptable. The ONLY acceptable first message would be:

BUYER 1 (day 1): Hello, I'm interested in poster blah, Please hold this poster for me; if it's at least in condition X, and the image is reasonable, I will buy it.

2) PACKAGE DEALS are a problem -- all of the posters are tied up until the deal is completed -- this is not cool.

BUYER 1 (day 1): Hello, I want to buy posters X, Y, and Z assuming they are all in Fine condition I will pay $50.
SELLER (day 2): Great, but Z has already sold.
BUYER 2 (day 2): Hello, I want to buy poster X...

How does SELLER reply to BUYER 2 now?

If the poster is one you are SERIOUS about, you should say in your initial contact: PLEASE HOLD IT FOR ME, PENDING INFORMATION ABOUT CONDITION/ART, ETC. Then have the courtesy to promptly follow through on the purchase or inform the seller that you decline--and EXPLAIN WHY.

Above all, say what you mean, be honest, and mails checks/posters promptly. Common courtesy is all that is necessary.

A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE: never sell a poster on the net that you don't know the value of! You'll open yourself up for all kinds of trouble, particularly when you offer an item substantially underpriced from the usual value. Sellers should be aware of the possible delays involved in e-mail delivery and the subsequent complaints from disappointed buyers: "I *know* I was first in line, but you must have had a better offer."

To potential buyers: the speed at which an e-mail message is delivered is amazing--but the time you are counting on *your* message being first in the seller's mailbox is the time a server is down somewhere along the way and your message is delayed. Keep this in mind. The Internet is *not* perfect for handling high-pressure transactions. If you understand this you will head off a nervous breakdown when you miss out on that "bargain of a lifetime." Sometimes that old-fashioned invention, the telephone, works a lot better.

5.5 Are there any tips for shipping posters via mail or UPS?

While dealing through the mail to buy your posters is not ideal, it is often the only way for many collectors. Insist upon complete (and accurate) descriptions. It is NOT out of line to ask for a photograph, particularly if you are spending a considerable sum of money. Reputable dealers will also guarantee your satisfaction and allow for returns of material you are not happy with.

Use common sense when sending large sums of money to an unknown person. While most people are honest and reports of fraud are (thankfully) not frequent, use caution. Some people find shipping COD via United Parcel Service to be an option and well worth the extra cost (about $5.00 per shipment). You should pay UPS with a money order made out to the sender of the parcel.

You should also be aware that the Postal Service (and increasingly United Parcel Service) can lose or damage your valuable collectible. Insure your shipment accordingly!! If you are shipping posters, make sure you pack carefully. Rolled posters in tubes seem particularly vulnerable to damage from sliding inside the tube during shipping. The resulting edge damage can destroy the value and appearance of the poster. One suggestion is to wrap a protective "collar" made of a thick paper (such as poster board) around each end of the rolled poster. Secure it with a rubber band. Your goal should be to prevent any movement of the poster inside the tube.

Rolled posters never be placed unprotected inside a shipping tube. If possible, place them inside plastic bags designed for rolled One-Sheets (available from Bags Unlimited: http://www.bagsunlimited.com) or roll them up inside bubble wrap or plain brown paper. Do not use newspaper, since the ink may cause stains on the poster. Tightly rolled posters also should NOT be placed inside a tube since once placed inside, they will expand to fill the tube, making it nearly impossible to remove them without damage.

An excellent way to ship rolled posters is to use PVC pipe. This pipe is available in many diameters from hardware and home improvement stores. For shipping a single rolled poster, 1.5 inch diameter is ideal. Most stores will even cut it for you free. A 10 foot section can be purchased for around $2.00 US--this yields four 30 inch shipping tubes. End caps are also available--but they will cost you MORE than the tube (about 80 cents for a pair)--go figure. Of course you'll want to thoroughly clean the PVC before using it, after all it IS plumbing pipe!

These tubes are totally postal-proof, barring being run over by a postal truck!

Cardboard tubes are also available, but cost more than using PVC. One source for these tubes is:

YAZOO MILLS
305 Commerce Street
New Oxford, PA 17350
1-800-242-5216
1-717-624-8993
1-717-624-4420 (FAX)
Web site: http://www.yazoomills.com

When shipping flat items, such as folded posters or Lobby Cards, you should first place the item inside a plastic bag to protect it from water damage (you don't even want to think about how many Postal carriers leave packages on porches, exposed to the elements). Then carefully tape the plastic-covered item to a piece of sturdy cardboard that is slightly larger than the item. Now take at least 3 more pieces of cardboard and make a sandwich (with 2 pieces of cardboard on each side of the item), securing the cardboard with strong packing tape.

Some people even recommend placing this cardboard sandwich inside bubble wrap for additional protection. Now, place the sandwich inside another sturdy box. If you are shipping via Priority Mail, the boxes provided free by the Postal Service are perfect for holding your packed item. Fill the remaining space inside the box with packing peanuts or crumpled paper. Your goal is to isolate the poster from any blows that may be inflicted during shipment.

Some people have used flattened (unassembled) Priority Mail boxes to ship flat items, but this is NOT recommended. The cardboard used in these boxes has little or no "give" and any bend in the cardboard will also bend the poster inside.

5.6 What are other sources for memorabilia?

If you are lucky enough to live in a large city there may be a movie memorabilia store close by. Check out ANY collectible stores or antique shops since you may get lucky and find a treasure trove of materials.

While there are stories (practically urban legends) of people who discover huge poster collections stored in an attic, lovingly preserved by the widow of a former theatre owner, these occurrences are few and far between. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning. Some people do stumble upon posters at garage sales or inside old theaters that are about to be demolished. Don't miss your chance at any opportunity. Just don't hold your breath. The fellow near Cleveland who discovered his entire house was insulated with classic film posters (true story) was one of those rare lightning strikes!

Your best bet for finding affordable posters is to attend the many film conventions and collectible shows that are held around the United States. Read section 5.1 for more information.

5.7 How do I SELL my collection?

If you decide that its time to sell your collection (for whatever reason), you will have to decide how much effort you want to put into this and how much money you should reasonably expect to get.

Many people have found success selling posters on the Internet, but this usually means having to deal with many buyers, the hassles of shipping and insurance, and the chance you may not get top dollar for your items. There are a number of consigners who will take on your collection and liquidate it for you (usually on eBay). While you will have to pay fees for this service, in the long run you will probably come out ahead as many of the consigners are well known in the poster collecting world and tend to get top-dollar for the items they sell.

Selling to a poster dealer is usually quick (he/she will often purchase your entire collection) and convenient, but you probably won't get top dollar since the dealer will want to resell your items and make his profit.

Selling at traditional auction is also a possibility if you have some rare or highly collectible items.  Often, auction houses want posters to be linen-mounted, particularly if your item is in less-than-perfect condition.  This adds quite a bit to YOUR cost if you have to have the mounting done. You can tack on this cost to the minimum bid you'll accept for your poster.  Auctions can be fickle and you may end up NOT selling your posters if you place too high a minimum of them.  Note that linen-mounting is not a requirement for auctions, but most posters featured at auctions are. (Whether they needed such "restoration" is open to debate--many collectors are against linen-mounting of posters in reasonably good condition.) Then you have to figure the percentage the auction house takes of the sale price (as their commission). As mentioned previously, on-line auctions like eBay are an alternative, but the same caveats apply.

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