8mm Forum: Of Super 8 and realitiies ...

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 26, 2011, 10:33 AM:

This really is a non-issue, but collectors should, if they wish to sell thier beloved prints, need to be realistic about them.

... but that's just the problem, they are "beloved" prints.

I wrote the other day about film prints being like new cars, you drive them off the lot and they drop a couple thousand right away. The same is true of film prints.

Now, occasionally, there will be the film print that not only keeps it's value, but skyrockets far above what it originally sold for. A good example of that is the Laurel and Hardy 400ft release by Blackhawk films of "Battle of the Century" whioch was at first released as a 200ft, which only had the pie fight sequence. The later 400ft release also included what was once lost footage of additional scenes from the movie, as well as some stills of other scenes lost.

Now, I believe that print originally sold for around 35.00 dollars or so brand new. Today, it can fetch a few hundred, as a good friend of mine could certainly attest to.

Other prints, such as the very rare "Freaks" (on super 8) and others are those rarities, and the STAR WARS scope feature from DErann sells for at times more than it originally sold for ...

... but as a general rule, they do not go for what they once sold for. Recently, a gentleman was wanting to sell what is most certainly a rare print on super 8 "The Elephant Man" (printed by Derann Films) ...

however, just because a flm is a rarity, it doesn't automatically follow that it will get top dollar, due to the subject matter. When it really comes down to it, subject matter counts more than the umber of copies printed.

I only write this is as a way of possibly helping people to assess a decent value to thier prints so that they can move them. If a person places to high of a value on them, they'll almost never move, and while the person still has thier beloevd prints, if they are hard up for cash, it sometimes means taking more of a loss than they would like to.

Believe me, there is nothing I hate more than being in the position of having to sell a cherished title, knowing darn well that, as a general rule, I'll never get what I'd like to.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 26, 2011, 10:49 AM:

Osi,

There is no rule saying that a Rare item = high price.

It depends on the contain.

As I wrote earlier that I may have a first pressing of Bruce Wills vinyl but who will care pay it for hundred dollars.

Same thing with "The Elephant Man" print, people may think to buy 2 popular Derann features instead of this B/W film that can predictably be shown once in five years. [Wink]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 26, 2011, 01:08 PM:

... and I happen to have that Bruce Willis record! What a laugh!

Its a 33 RPM record of him singing "Under the Boardwalk"

To be honest, he really doesn't do a half bad job of it, but I prefer his acting.

[Smile]

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on April 26, 2011, 03:57 PM:

Bottom line is they are only worth what people are willing to pay [Eek!]

I think that applies to any collectible. [Confused]

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on April 26, 2011, 04:56 PM:

I like to turn films over; especially those that I have bought and don't really like that much. On ebay they go for the same, more or less than I paid: I really don't mind I just see it as at least getting some funds for my next purchase. I also like the fact that someone may get a bargain.

I recently sold some old home movies that went for over $170.00; I got them for free.

I also sold some near new short films I bought from CHC and Derann, they did not bring much at all. It all evens out.

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