| Movie props and wardrobe that have actually been | | | | an independent seller is auctioning an item you are |
| used in movie productions and seen on the big screen | | | | interested in, check their other listings and their |
| are great collectibles for people who want to own a | | | | feedback. Do they have a history of selling other |
| little piece of their favorite movies, actors, and | | | | movie props? Do they have a lot of negative |
| actresses. In times past, it was very hard for the | | | | feedback? If they do, do any of the negative |
| average movie fan to obtain such items without having | | | | comments have to do with unhappy buyers receiving |
| a direct connection to the film industry. Now with the | | | | badly damaged, fake, or merchandise that did not |
| internet and especially eBay, anyone with internet | | | | arrive as described? |
| access can find and purchase authentic movie | | | | *Try out eBay's Live Auctions. Live Auctions are |
| memorabilia. Unfortunately, with the advent of the | | | | relatively new on eBay, and provide opportunities for |
| online auction there is also a lot of potential for abuse | | | | internet users to have access to live events at actual |
| by dishonest sellers who try to sell fake merchandise | | | | licensed auction houses. Instead of an auction being |
| passed off as authentic movie props or wardrobe | | | | listed for several days with bids being placed all during |
| worn by famous people. However, with a little care | | | | that time, a live auction works exactly as if were |
| and the use of the following tips, the average movie | | | | standing in the room where the auction was taking |
| memorabilia connoisseur can find good quality original | | | | place. There are many different categories for Live |
| items and avoid the many scams out there. | | | | Auctions and there are many opportunities to buy very |
| *Provenance is the key. Provenance simply means an | | | | rare movie props and costumes. For instance, Profiles |
| items origin and how well that item can be traced back | | | | in History give access to their auctions through the |
| to its origin. The simplest way to verify provenance is | | | | Live Auctions interface. These auctions are generally |
| by looking for items that come with a Certificate of | | | | performed by high profile licensed auction houses, so |
| Authenticity or a Letter of Authenticity (often | | | | you can feel certain that what is being described is |
| abbreviated to COA and LOA). A Certificate of | | | | exactly what you are bidding on. The drawbacks to a |
| Authenticity is an official document that states that the | | | | live auction are that you have to know when the |
| item was used in a movie or worn by the actor or | | | | auction is taking place ahead of time or you can easily |
| actress as claimed. The document is usually either | | | | miss out, and given the rarity of a lot of the movie |
| signed by a high ranking official or is stamped with the | | | | memorabilia that is on the block, the starting prices can |
| official seal of a company. In the case of movie props | | | | be in the thousands. Go to to keep track of when the |
| and wardrobe, the COA is usually signed or stamped | | | | next live events will take place. |
| by a movie studio, production company, or the | | | | *Use common sense and ask questions. Don't ever let |
| Property Master in charge of a certain film. A Property | | | | yourself be blinded with how good a deal appears to |
| Master (or Prop Master) is the person in charge of | | | | be that you don't view an auction with a critical eye. If |
| providing or creating all of the props, costumes, and | | | | something appears too good to be true, there's a good |
| background objects that are to be used in a movie | | | | possibility that is the case. There's a feature on every |
| production. Any item that has a dependable COA will | | | | eBay auction to ask the seller a question. Use it! If the |
| have greater value and resell ability. Keep in mind that | | | | seller doesn't seem honest or up front with their |
| COAs can also be forged, so ask for pictures of the | | | | responses, move on. If pictures are provided, examine |
| COA if they are not already provided by the seller. Be | | | | the pictures in detail and try to match the movie prop |
| wary of items that have shaky provenance with | | | | or costume with screenshots from the movie the |
| descriptions like "I originally bought this item from a guy | | | | items were allegedly used in. Some of the more helpful |
| at a yard sale who swore it was used in Spider-Man". | | | | sellers will provide many pictures and even include |
| *Buy from trusted sellers. There are several | | | | movie screenshots for comparison. Finally, go with |
| companies that deal exclusively with movie props who | | | | your instincts. If after all is said and done there is still |
| sell their wares on eBay. For example, Premiere Props | | | | something bothering you about the authenticity of a |
| and the Prop Store of London are both high profile | | | | piece of movie memorabilia up for auction, walk away. |
| prop and wardrobe dealers who work directly with the | | | | There are plenty of good, authentic props available out |
| movie studios. Everything they sell comes with a COA | | | | there. |
| and can be guaranteed authentic. In the cases where | | | | |