How are some screen used items sourced?

Hello everyone, I'm still quite new in collecting screen used/worn items and wanted to get some clarification on how some items are sourced. For some films, I understand that the studios authorize selling the entire wardrobe/props and they come with LOAs signed off by the studios. What about those films where only a handful of items show up, have LOAs not signed off by the studios but sold on reputable prop selling websites? How did these items make it out to the open market instead of being returned to the property master? Thank you!

Various ways, a lot of times companies like propstore, screenused, etc... since theyve been in the business for so long, people that work on sets will "walk off" with items and sell it to them.

They also get items from regular people who have relatives that work in the industry or who have purchased direct from prop masters of a film. They also get some of their pieces from auctions if they can prove it was actually used in the movie.

Im sure there are more ways but that covers the majority of them

.:MirrorminD:. said:

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Various ways, a lot of times companies like propstore, screenused, etc... since theyve been in the business for so long, people that work on sets will "walk off" with items and sell it to them.

They also get items from regular people who have relatives that work in the industry or who have purchased direct from prop masters of a film. They also get some of their pieces from auctions if they can prove it was actually used in the movie.

Im sure there are more ways but that covers the majority of them

Hi MirrorminD, thank you for reponding with this helpful information. Regarding your first point, so items sourced through those working on the sets who "walk off" with them, are these items considered stolen property then? Or were they given to them by the studios, allowing the workers to do whatever they want with them (keep it for themselves, re-sell them, etc.)

Also, is it common for props to have the prop supplier's name etched on it or are they usually removed before being sold to the open public? Thank you!

No he's just a lawyer for the studio...lol

Yes everything said above is completely correct.

In the case with MAN OF STEEL on my site all the stuff I bought was from a studio auction held months after filming. The stuff was not listed as MOS but knowing the production company and town it was sold in it was obvious where it came from.
Studios usually insist stuff is sold withall tags removed and that anybody from production who shows up not mention what the stuff is and where it was used.

Many studio auctions happen in Canada in Vancouver, and this is where a few collectors buy huge amounts of stuff for ebay.

In LA most of the stuff goes to resale shops or dealers.

tardis55 said:

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No he's just a lawyer for the studio...lol

Hah Mark, after I posted I thought that for a second

Props can be very confusing on how they left sets. With or without permission.

The majority of props/models/wardrobe that have been used will be either stolen, gifted, or will become property of the original maker. Many special effects companies will keep the items they made for a film. (I.E. Phil Tippett recently sold a bunch of models that he kept because his company created them and were therefore considered his).