Despite Recession Collectors of Vintage Movie Posters & Celebrity Autographs do Battle

Despite the ongoing recession collectors are NOT easing up on acquiring the rare memorabilia treasures of American culture, history and sports. Celebrity autographs, rare original vintage movie posters and autographed sports memorabilia continue to sell for amazing prices at recent auctions. At auction last week was a Marilyn Monroe signed photo I expected to fetch around $10,000-12,000 because it was not one of the best photos I have seen of her. On the contrary, savvy and serious collectors competed fiercely and the final hammer price was $24,000. Another example was a Neil Armstrong signed photo that sold for an astonishing $7000! 

In the autographed sports memorabilia category a Muhammad Ali signed sketch I was personally bidding on went for over $1000. It was quite a bit more than I expected since I acquired a similar piece a couple years ago for less than $500. So much for the recession!

And, even on eBay where material usually sells for less than specialized auctions, vintage movie posters have been hot! This week a lobby card from a 1947 Three Stooges Columbia short, with Shemp (NOT the more valuable Curly), in fairly rough condition sells for $1300!  WHAT??  I’ve acquired lobby cards with Curly in better condition for $700 (about three years ago). So, when you think the American economic system has collapse and there is no place to invest, or think no industries are profiting during this economic downturn, think again!  And, if you ARE a collector of rare, desirable, original, vintage memorabilia, your world seems to always shine through the dark clouds of economic gloom and doom, irregardless of the media’s intent to make us miserable.

We’ve been collecting and selling historical, sports and American culture memorabilia for over 25 years, and have NEVER seen values affected by the economy. On the contrary savvy Collectors are not hindered by traditional consumer fears. Collectors are not driven by media and economic anxiety; they are driven by a passion for life.

Kevin Conway
Conway’s Vintage Treasures
http://www.cvtreasures.com