Exploring Selling Films

[Richard Bock]

Thinking of selling many of my 8mm and Super 8mm Films. Would like to sell as an entire collection. Skewed towards classic silent films. Mostly Blackhawks and just about all B&W (no color fading!). All have been kept in climate controlled room and each has been cleaned. Non smoking house. Some of these are quite rare. What do you think I should ask if I were to sell on Ebay in its entirety? Should I sell piece by piece, which of course is much more time and work involved? Pictures below are not screen shots from films, just reminders of some the films available
Thanks for any help.

[Ed Gordon]

Would like to sell as an entire collection. Skewed towards classic silent films. Mostly Blackhawks and just about all B&W (no color fading!). All have been kept in climate controlled room and each has been cleaned. Non smoking house. Some of these are quite rare. What do you think I should ask if I were to sell on Ebay in its entirety? Should I sell piece by piece, which of course is much more time and work involved?

I would look up the rare ones that sold on Ebay to get an idea of their worth. Whether you sell piece by piece or as a lot, I would sell by auction with a minimum price. I have sold older working equipment via auction on Ebay and got more on the sale than what I paid originally.

[Joseph Banfield]

I counted 124 films, many of which are features on multiple reels. I would think it would be a very hard sell as a single lot unless the price is quite low because the shipping will be quite high for that weight. I personally think you would do better financially selling them individualy. And standard 8mm can often be difficult to sell as most people (not myself however) prefer films on Super 8. BTW, great titles there!

[Ethan Knightchilde]

Some other factors to consider:
1) what is the collection size?
2) are they silent or with a music track?
3) are they built up onto larger reels or in their original boxes?

I noticed a lot of “sellers” on eBay lately who have absolutely no clue about what they are selling and are using AI to write descriptions. (No one on this forum I’m sure.) More and more are not even taking the trouble to take screen shots of the film. And then you get the ever amusing “incredible rare find—The Great Train Robbery from Blackhawk Films. A vintage reel to reel movie. I do t have a projector but it looks great. $100 + $50 shipping and handling for this rare, great item.”

*Rolls eyes*

Depending on titles and condition and the above (and even local pick up), you might find a buyer who will take it all (likely selling off what they don’t want). I would be interested in seeing your list. Like Joseph, I don’t turn my nose up at Regular 8. I have a nostalgic fondness for that format.

[Richard Bock]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. I think my first try will be to put all of them up for sale as a package for local pickup on Craigslist, using screenshots and indicating condition and whether or not they are in original boxes. I've indicated here what were sound, Super 8, the rest are silent Standard 8mm. I will post soon my complete list that are up for sale on this site, with prices.

[Ethan Knightchilde]

Good luck!