One of my most popular posts on here continues to be my press photo guide, but there’s a whole world of collecting outside of photos. This quick guide aims to help people decide what to collect, as well as help people looking to part with their items. I’ll use Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield items as my primary examples being that’s what I routinely see as I collect them myself.
Magazines
Magazines are many people’s first foray into collecting as they’re affordable and mass-produced. Some magazines, like Rave, had a short run while others (ex. Confidential, Photoplay) ran for years.
General Tips
A cover image does not guarantee the subject has an article inside on them, especially when looking at 1940s magazines. Because of this, there are two types of magazine collectors: cover and article. I am a very firm article collector. If I’m honest, I really don’t care who made the cover. If it’s a celebrity I’m purchasing on, great, but I would say only 20% or so of my collection consists of cover images with the person I bought on. Cover collectors want their subject on the cover. I know many who don’t really care if their favorite has an article inside. These are great for displaying, and you can sometimes get some wonderful photographs.
Cover collectors have it easier than their article-based counterparts. They know exactly what they’re getting. If you’re article based, you will need to, at the very least, see the Table of Contents for a piece on your favorite. Most eBay sellers will include this anymore, but I’ve seen my fair share of those who do not. I’ll be honest, I’ve gotten burned a few times by purchasing a magazine that advertised Jayne only to discover there’s a gossip snippet or ad featuring her image. Although these pieces are interesting to have, I probably wouldn’t have paid $20-$30/issue if I knew I was getting a few sentences or some ad copy. It’s a pretty low move, IMO, for sellers to list a name without a corresponding article inside, so I will frequently write to ask why they’ve chosen to include that name in their title or description without a ToC.
Fakes
Believe it or not, there are fake magazines. This issue only affects cover collectors, and I’ve sadly seen them go for hundreds of dollars. Sellers will glue or staple a fake cover to the front of a magazine. Sometimes they mock it up, other times they take a back cover and put it on the front. A seller in Mexico is notorious for this tactic. Here’s some of her work here:
However, I find this exceedingly rare, and Marilyn magazines are the only I know of where this has happened. If you’re questioning a magazine, look to see if one sold on eBay either through the site or on Worth Point. Even my rarest magazines have had something sell before.
Values
Values fluctuate. Marilyn Monroe covers can command hundreds of dollars for a single issue, even with a mass-produced magazine. However, most stars can be had for $20-$50/magazine, depending on the quality and rarity. Research what you want to purchase. Often times I will find multiple sellers have listed the item, and I can frequently score a lower price than what I’ve initially found.
Books
Beyond magazines and photos, I also collect books. Back in the day, I used to own hundreds of books on Marilyn Monroe. However, over the years I’ve narrowed myself down to roughly 100. The oldest books I own relating to Old Hollywood are from the 1920s.
General Tips
Books are a very personal endeavor. I have everyone in my library from Darwin Porter to Jeanine Basinger. If you’re new to book collecting, make sure you take the ask around for what books people like, but know opinions will be divided. For example, I am not a fan of Eve Golden’s The Girl Couldn’t Help It, but I know at least one person who thinks it’s the greatest book ever written on Jayne while another Jayne friend thinks it’s mediocre on a good day. Amazon reviews aren’t really helpful from my experience. I know quite a few authors who solicit reviews from their social media pages, and plenty of their enemies will trash the book as well.
When in doubt, research the author. I’m not going to say education results in better books, but look at other pieces the author has written and see if it connects with you. If you’re not a fan of their writing style, you’re likely going to struggle reading a book by them.
Fakes
I don’t think I’ve ever come across a fake book, but I have seen sellers lie about what edition the book they’re selling is. A first edition The Marilyn Monroe Story by Joe Franklin and Laurie Palmer can sell for several hundred dollars in pristine condition while a reprint is worth $8 on the resell market. Ask to see the copyright page so you know what edition you’re getting. A first edition will have the date of publication and may even say “first edition.” A book with a later date is not a first edition. Also beware of people putting a first edition sleeve on a later edition. Luckily every major online retailer will refund you if this happens, but it helps to be aware of what you’re looking for.
Values
Again, values fluctuate. Take the time to research the book you’re looking to purchase. Sometimes you can score something for a steal.
Plates
For younger readers, I am going to take you back to the 1900s when ceramic plates were all the rage. Plate manufacturers would put pictures or drawings of your favorite star on special edition plates that you then displayed in your china cabinet. Most of these plates could not get used. They were collector pieces made for display only.
General Tips
Full disclosure that I have not collected plates since 1995 when I was obsessed with horses, so I can’t really tell you what to look for minus a stamp on the back for major manufacturers like Bradford Exchange. Obviously condition will affect how much a plate sells for.
Fakes
If someone produces modern fake plates, they’re in the wrong industry. Again, look at the stamping on the back. Bradford Exchange plates are worth a little more than knock-offs.
Value
Currently, there’s a lovely set of four Bradford Exchange plates on eBay for $8. Looking at completed listings, most plates are hovering around the $5-10 each mark. Rarer plates, or those someone looked for to complete their collection, may go for as much as $20, but that’s uncommon. The plate market really bottomed out several years ago, and they’re not really worth anything when you take into consideration how much you need to charge/pay for shipping.
Wines
Back when I used to do copywriting, I wrote a few pieces for a tequila company that partners with celebrities. Fun fact, most “celebrity tequilas” are made by the same companies. Today, the dead frequently get placed on wines.
General Tips
There are some excellent celebrity wines. I am a huge fan of the Ava Gardner line, and I still fantasize about the blackberry red blend I had. It honestly tasted like the overly sweet nectar of the gods, and I 10/10 recommend it for a dessert wine that pairs well with a blackberry cobbler. Now, for wine snobs, it’s not going to be overly great, but I am not a wine snob. I’ve also had the Marilyn Monroe wines and while they’re okay, there’s a definite novelty factor. You’re paying for her image and name on a bottle. I bring these both up because your resell market isn’t going to consist of wine connoisseurs.
Fakes
I am sure someone has faked a Marilyn Monroe wine bottle at some point, but I know nothing about it. They’re cheap red wines that are difficult to send without a special shipping license.
Value
If I had a nickel for every person who thought they were going to retire on their Marilyn Monroe wines, I’d have at least $5. Look, I know the website tells you that you can sell that original 1985 merlot for $28,000, but NO ONE IS GOING TO PAY THAT. They’re cheap wines in pretty bottles which rules out most of your wine collectors. A first run 1985 bottle, at most, is going to get you about $150, and that’s dependent on proper storage. I’ve seen them sit online for years around that price point.
As far as selling, good luck. Most people do not have the proper shipping license, so you need to sell locally. Don’t try to sell them as “decor only” either. The post office and shipping companies get very angry when you do this with an un-opened bottle. Most of them are worth about $20.
Owned-Pieces
This is honestly worthy of its own post, so I’ll keep it concise.
General Tips
Real Marilyn items will have a very clear provenance chain. 99% of pieces originated from the Strasberg estate, so look for that and find out when it sold at auction. Jayne items primarily sold at estate sales in 1967 and 68. I have only seen a handful of real pieces, and they have very distinct receipts and tags. With the exception of studio wardrobe pieces, many celebrity-owned items were sold at auctions or estate sales. There were private sales as well, but those can become murkier.
Fakes
This is the most common item I see faked. Again, this needs its own article, but you’ll quickly start to see patterns in fakes. Look up the seller’s name as well as the certificate of authenticity the item will frequently come with. For goodness sake, research the item you’re buying. Items the person was photographed with or wearing are worth much more than those that are not. Remember that even auction houses can get it wrong as well. Talk to people in your community to find out their opinion on a piece you’re considering.
Values
Several hundred to millions of dollars depending on the piece.
Kitsch
I don’t really find this worthy of going into because there’s so much of it. Cups, notebooks, makeup brushes, pens, telephones, etc. I put under the umbrella of glorified kitsch. However, it’s usually a collector’s introduction to collecting, so I hold a soft spot for it. With the exception of older, rarer items, most of this stuff is worth less than what you paid when you look to resell in a few years; although, partnerships with large brands like M.A.C.’s Marilyn Monroe makeup collection, can still command a little more than they originally retailed for. General advice centers around researching what like items are selling for as this mass-produced stuff is almost always on eBay.
Collecting is an excellent way to get reminded of your favorite celebrity, but it takes time to figure out what exactly you should start buying. Take the time to think about what you want and why, and RESEARCH WHAT YOU’RE BUYING. I’ve waited for some pieces for YEARS to get a better deal, and I’m happy I did. 99% of the fun is in the hunt.
Classic Blondes 