| For some people the thrill of getting a piece of | | | | facilitate purchasing by auction. |
| memorabilia is standing outside the stage door in the | | | | Charity Auctions |
| rain for hours just to get a star's autograph or tracking | | | | The good news for memorabilia collectors is that stars |
| things on movie sets to find out where they wind up | | | | have big hearts and lots of causes. They also have |
| so you can get one first hand. | | | | lots of money, but they prefer to donate their stuff and |
| But for most people who don't work on Hollywood | | | | get your money for what is important to them. Charity |
| back lots or live in New York, the best way to get a | | | | auctions are usually more accessible to the general |
| collectable is buy one. That creates a challenge all its | | | | public than auction houses and still have the backer |
| own. You can't really walk into Best Buy and say, "I'd | | | | assuming liability for the delivery and authenticity of the |
| like the gun that was used on the set of I-Robot, | | | | product. If a CBS charity auction sells you some tiki |
| please". Rare items have a rare and traditional way of | | | | torch instead of a real Survivor totem, they'll have to |
| being marketed. The auction. Learning your way | | | | reimburse you. Charity auctions can be done via cable, |
| around auctions is a good way to get that collectable | | | | phone or internet. Just keep up with the website of |
| you'd like. | | | | your favorite show or star and you'll find out the when |
| Celebrity Auctions | | | | and where's to getting the item you desire. |
| Many items of memorabilia belong to the stars or | | | | Personal Auctions |
| directors who used them. Want the original light saber | | | | Personal auctions, such as EBay or classified ads, are |
| Luke Skywalker used? It's in George Lucas' house. | | | | the most risky. The items are usually second, third or |
| Sometimes celebrities will loan their items to museums | | | | fourthly owned. Can you imagine Harrison Ford putting |
| or places like Planet Hollywood, but for the most part, | | | | an ad in the paper that says, "One bullwhip. Slightly |
| the owners are keepers. | | | | used. Movie prop"? Items bought on EBay or out of |
| Celebrities are just as vulnerable as the rest of us to | | | | someone's garage will require independent verification |
| things like death, taxes and lawyer bills so occasionally | | | | to assure their authenticity and because the chain of |
| items will go on sale in an auction. Auction houses are | | | | owners is unknown at best, the quality of the item or |
| the places these events are held. It's a good thing | | | | its condition may be lacking. Items bought through |
| because the house also insures the item, verifies its | | | | personal auctions are good for decoration or |
| authenticity and makes sure you receive the item just | | | | conversation pieces, but never as investment. |
| as promised. They also have the legal means to make | | | | People who love entertainment tend to love |
| sure you pay for the item just as promised, so don't | | | | entertainment things. Through the auction system there |
| make a bid you can't keep. The website at lists auction | | | | is always a way to get your hands on a little piece of |
| houses and explains all the specifics about how to | | | | the stars. |