Could memorabilia be an investment? Many years ago, the answer would be definitely no and would probably be accompanied with laughter. However, things have changed since then and investors are growing fond of memorabilia as an investment asset. Seasoned investors are seeking new ways to diversify their portfolios as the last financial crisis proved that traditional financial products are not enough.
According to the Merriem-Webster dictionary the “memorabilia” definition is: “things that stir recollection or are valued or collected for their association with a particular field or interest.” There is no lack of various areas to cover when it comes to the collectibles market. Whether you want to join modern collectibles or more traditional collectibles, it is important to find a real place in the market of memorabilia and collectibles that not only attracts you and is your passion, but also has the potential to sell well. It can be difficult to turn a passion of a certain form of collectibles into a profitable business, so study your field as much as possible before committing to an investment plan and then constantly update yourself on market changes.
Movie memorabilia and collectibles are one of the most popular types of collectibles’ businesses around. It’s a vast area covered by a number of different goods and opening a collectibles’ shop will mean making sure you have a good range of items available for sale. Movie collectibles can be rare objects like one off movie props, autographs, or goods that are published in limited edition. One of the most important aspects when it comes to movie collectibles is to ensure their validity, which means buying from a reputable dealer or buying them on your own. You have to ensure that the item comes with an Authenticity Certificate, although this is sometimes not enough in itself to show that it is a genuine item. An approval by a major autograph authenticity company like the U.A.C.C is recommended.
According to a Daily Mail report, authentic props from old films have tripled in value in the last ten years with the market as a whole ballooning from £16m-£24.5m to £245m-£330m. Most goods have surpassed all targets of profit. A Star Wars Tie Fighter pilot suit, for instance, first sold in 1992 for £ 3,000. The winning bid price had risen to £ 216,000 when it was auctioned again in 2017— a 7.100% increase in just 13 years. Τhe billionaire tech entrepreneur, Elon Musk, bought a Lotus Esprit that starred in James Bond’s “The Spy Who Loved Me” movie . The iconic, water-friendly Esprit had been lost after its star turn in the 1977 movie but was rediscovered in 1989, wheel less and looking a little worse-for-wear, in a storage container in Long Island. Musk picked it up for nearly US$1 million at an auction in London.
Movie memorabilia could be a profitable asset for investors who would like to grow their wealth without having to be constantly anxious about the fluctuations of the global financial market. Small or large budget, you can always buy a prop and wait for its value to rise.