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autographing a screen used prop... good idea or bad?

stormtrooperguy

stormtrooperguy

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A while ago I bought one of the peach tins from Serenity at propstore.com. Adam Baldwin (Jayne) is going to be at Dragoncon, and so I was thinking of having him sign the can.

(For those not into Serenity, Jayne gets knocked out by River with one of these tins of peaches)

So the question is... good idea or bad?

On one hand I'm "damaging" the prop. On the other hand, I'm adding value by getting it signed.

It's not like I'm talking about a big money item... it was $150ish. But I'm just sort of curious what the thoughts are on this one.
 
If you get a item signed have it done in a area that can't be seen...bottom of can, inside helmet..etc. when people have items signed in plain sight I think it devalues them unless it's a picture, poster or toy.
 
prophunter said:
Why not get a small white business card and have that signed then you can add that to the display and avoid damaging the prop?

Joe
Click to expand...

What Joe said.I have my plaque for my Chewbacca teeth signed by Mayhew,the backdrop for my X-Wing pieces signed by Joe Viskocil.I dont think getting a screenused piece signed in any shape or form is a good idea.
I got my Norman Harrison made Luke ROTJ hero saber signed by Mark Hamill.It's a replica and it IS Luke Skywalker so that was cool but never a screenused piece.It doesnt need it.
 
Tough call...

If it's an item where there were dozens or even hundreds of replicas made, having it autographed is one way to make yours unique.

I'm one of those funny types that plan on keeping the original props I get as opposed to thinking about how much I can get for it down the road. ;)

Now, that being said, when I saw Dick Donner at a Superman screening a few years back, I took this NYT prototype made for the film but not used because the Times didn't sign off on having thier name used.

donnersig.jpg

I could have taken my Chris Reeve cape and had him sign boldly across the logo...well, actually, the thought never even crossed my mind :)

For me, it's a matter of personal preference. I, too, will be interested to see what others have to say.

Steve
 
As a general rule of thumb, I think it's usually a bad idea to get an original prop signed unless it can be signed in an area that is not seen (like the inside of a garment worn by someone - NOT the lapel).

For an item like that, I don't think you're really going to hurt the value much... Still, I think it would be much cooler if you just got an autographed photo of Adam to display with it. Heck, get a photo of Adam with the can and the autographed photo and frame the two pictures together to display with the prop.

The autograph on the prop, even if it doesn't harm the value, also isn't going to *add* anything to the prop either and depending on how he signs it, it could mess up the display of the prop if he does anything weird. Celebrities don't always share the same sense of humor and I've seen some autographs that... er... went horribly wrong.
 
If it was me, I wouldn't get him to sign a screen-used prop. A replica, for sure, but not a screen-used. It may add value, but I just wouldn't do it, myself.
 
i think all of the reasons to NOT do it are pretty sound.

i'm not really planning to sell it at any point, but you never know what may happen, so i don't want to shoot myself in the foot later.

it's not a unique piece... there are a bunch of them available. but even still... i think i'll stick to a photo :)
 
You need to think of why you want a piece signed. Do you want the signature for prosperity reasons so that you can display it in your own prop collection or are you trying to increase the value of the piece so that you can sell it later?

Anything movie memorabilia, props, etc. that I purchase is bought for me and not for the intention that the resale value.

Create a nice display case and have a picture/nice piece of paper/card signed and put the two together if you want to maintain the resale value of the prop. If you want it personalized for your own collection than have the piece actually signed.

A bud of mine has Johnny Depp's signature inside his leather tricorn. He knows it is there and it makes it more personal for him.
 
You remember Halloween costumes back in the 70's? If you had a Spock costume it actually had Spock's face on the chest and over that in big type the words "STAR TREK". Well, that's kinda how I think of signed props, real or replica. As a kid I wanted a real uniform, not a plastic smock with the Trek pictures. As an adult I want a perfect replica of a phaser. A signature on the piece would ruin it for me.

However, to each their own... It's your piece. Go with your gut and do what you want to do.
 
Screen Used - No Signature
Replica Prop - Sure, Why not.

I had George Lucas sign two of my Replica Sabers. I love the way they look!

GeorgeLucasNight3.jpg


GeorgeLucasNight2.jpg
 
Hi,

I wouldn't let a screen-used prop signed, not screen-used after that....And if you think it add more value to have a screen-used prop or replica signed, I'm always doubtful if the signature is real or not...even if you show me a pic of the artist signing your item !!!! Signatures are easy to replicate.
I would suggest to have a display plaque made for the prop with a little location to have it signed by the artist. Just my two cents :)

FRED
 
All personal preference I think. A signature that can not be authenticated devalues the thing. If it is for yourself and not for future investment then that does not really matter.

For this item I would have him sign the end of the can. In theory it can be washed off if needed.
 
While I think an autograph generally defaces props, if the prop has solid provenance, I don't think an autograph is the kiss of death if it's done tastefully. I still prefer an autographed photo from the movie myself...
 
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