Original TV Props - Collectors Items and Beyond


Doctor Who doesn't hold the grip on desirable props but it's certainly in the public eye at the moment due to the TV series. Science fiction series in general seem to have the dominance in the collectables market but this may just be due to the nature of the internet and the type of people who tend to be web-savvy being those more interested in technology and future technology. Some of the most expensive collectables in the world can be musical instruments but they are less dominant in the web world. But then I suppose by comparison the appeal of a band like The Beatles is massive compared relatively to Star Trek which is still a global phenomenon.

As with most things for sale, ebay tends to be the first stop for someone looking for TV and film props although there's no shortage of dedicated website which deal in memorabelia. The kind of items can range from anything like scripts for the production to props and costumes. The more high-profile the costume and the more screen-time it receives the greater the value. Minor characters costumes and obviously easier to get hold of and naturally less expensive. A big-buget film many run into hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of extras, many of whom may have had special costumes or props or for something like Planet of the Apes, whole sets of prosthetics made up.

Prop-selling websites often set up payment plans due to the expense of certain items. Finance for being a collector is a difficult business and can lead to big problems. It is common for items to run into thousands or tens of thousands of pounds and thus many private individuals have great difficulty raising large amounts of money. Naturally if financial circumstances allow then a bank loan may be a feasable way of raising the capital but telling your personal banker that you want ten grand to buy Jamie's kilt may not always be taken seriously. Payment plans are usually the best way to secure large items, however this kind of system requires patience if you are not to receive the item until the plan is completed. It is common for prop-collectors to sell the less significant parts of their collections in order to raise capital for something more signiciant to add to their colleciton. It usually raises eyebrows within collecting communities when someone with a bit collection starts to auction bits off, and a fever of excitement grows as to what they might have their eye on!

The sad part of hunting collector's items is the reality that some are fakes. This can lead to all kinds of heartbreak when it is discovered in retrospect that a huge amount of money may have exchanged hands for something which has no worth. It is always important to bring in at least one heavyweight opinion in appraising the authenticity of an item. I am aware myself that major auction houses will pass judgement on something without any real expertise and this has led to their endoresement being totally worthless resulting in the seller beliving they have a precious TV prop and the potential buyers being ripped off.