- 13 -
markets that developed prior to movie memorabilia and which share
the same basic structures.
By 1985, the movie memorabilia markets had matured. Movie
memorabilia were available in retail stores and through mail
order catalogs. Conventions were held periodically in different
parts of the country. Particularly well-known and highly sought-
after posters were sold at auctions sponsored by prominent
auction houses. Hitherto undiscovered treasure troves of movie
memorabilia were being uncovered in flea markets, old theaters,
and the like. Price guides had been available to collectors for
several years. The price guides generally focused on the retail
market rather than wholesale market.3 By 1985, just like similar
guides for the comic book, coin, and stamp markets, movie
memorabilia price guides had become the single most important
source of market information for both collectors and dealers.
These guides set the de facto standards for retail prices, with
wholesale prices tending to be 30 to 70 percent less. Collectors
and dealers also traded memorabilia, using “trade values” pegged
to prevailing retail values.
In 1985, retail stores were generally the highest priced
source, although auction prices for particularly desirable
material, such as posters for “Casablanca”, could be much higher.
3 See infra note 8 for a listing of 1985 price guides
submitted into evidence.
Page: Previous 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 NextLast modified: May 25, 2011