27.12.12

Some Tips On The Best Ways Of Buying Movie Props For Sale

By Clinton Geiser


Wanting to buy movie props for sale is the mark of the true film obsessive. Simply seeing a film is not enough for someone with this level of obsession, they need to own a piece of the film's history and back story too. Newcomers to the market should be careful and follow a few simple steps when looking to buy Hollywood movie props though.

The word prop is actually an abbreviation of 'property', which is the word used to refer to items handled and used by the actors in a film. Obviously, this means that a vast range of objects can be classified as props, from watches to hats and weapons. Any items which are not actually handled by actors but help to provide additional context on set are referred to as screen decorations, not properties.

Some movie memorabilia props which are offered for sale are actually replicas of the items used in films by the actors. Replica items rarely have any intrinsic value as they are simply copies of what was used in the films. It is important to never confuse replica items with the real thing, as this can leave buyers seriously out of pocket.

Sourcing the properties used in a film is often a complex and time consuming task, and the items can come from a wide range of sources. Many studios keep a huge stock of properties which are suitable for many films. On other occasions though, properties are obtained from antique dealers or have to be made to order on set by craftsman.

The most important step to take when looking to buy this kind of memorabilia is to go to a supplier with a good reputation. The person involved should be a dealer authorised by a studio, a private dealer who is also a collector themselves and enjoys a good reputation, or from someone who is directly involved in the film industry and can be trusted. This way, concerns about the authenticity of items can be minimised.

A certificate of authenticity should also be associated with most items that you look to buy. This is not a a complete guarantee, of course, as this kind of document can be forged. If an item as been authorised by a studio though, that should be a good sign that the item is genuine.

Finding movie props for sale is not usually too difficult, especially in the age of the internet. It is always essential to check their authenticity though. Buying from dealers who will accept returns is often a good way of adding peace of mind.




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