Rather buy Original/Screen-Used Props or Replicas?

I think like everybody, original props are special, however price usually makes these unfeasible. I usually look for replica's with a lineage to an actual production made item. Those for me are special too because I know they have that history with the film made item and are also somewhat rare to come by at times. Straight out replica's don't do much for me unless it's something I'm not that into, but find cool.
 
I'm just starting out in the world of screen-used collecting, I only own 4 pieces, and I would take them every day over ANY replica. Replicas are cool and all, but they just don't hold a candle to the real thing. I would rather own an original piece that was in poor condition, to a replica that was in amazing brand new condition! Having an original equals actually owning a part of a film or movie's world. It comes straight from that world and into your finger tips. A replica is just a copy of something from that world.
The 4 pieces I own are:

Nice props!! Thanks for sharing!!


Like most, I prefer originals, but I also love to build :D

I spent A LOT of money on original props this year, so I don't think I'll be buying anything else for a while :unsure

Ah, I understand. I'd like to start building stuff myself. Probably not anytime soon, but eventually. :)

I own only one screen used thing and it's a chunk of the igloo from STAR WARS when it was being rebuilt, everything else I own is replica. I'm in the minority that likes making a replica than owning the actual thing (I'd feel too guilty owing an all real parts anything, especially if I had more than one). That way, I'm not replicating someone else's work fully. It's close to how I see the thing in my head but it also contains some of my essence in it; so it has two stories.

Ah, I see. Thanks for sharing your opinion. I like hearing both sides! ;)

I think like everybody, original props are special, however price usually makes these unfeasible. I usually look for replica's with a lineage to an actual production made item. Those for me are special too because I know they have that history with the film made item and are also somewhat rare to come by at times. Straight out replica's don't do much for me unless it's something I'm not that into, but find cool.

I'm pretty much the same. Thanks for posting!
 
I always keep reading that original props and costumes are unaffordable. This really is not the case. There is a vast array of affordable pieces 'out there' and all the main specialists offer payment plans.

Of course, certain key iconic pieces from certain movies are going to be high but broaden your collecting field of vision and you can easily afford a piece from any movie.

- David
 
I always keep reading that original props and costumes are unaffordable. This really is not the case. There is a vast array of affordable pieces 'out there' and all the main specialists offer payment plans.

Of course, certain key iconic pieces from certain movies are going to be high but broaden your collecting field of vision and you can easily afford a piece from any movie.

- David

I agree. I haven't been collecting long, but I've gotten things for as low as $20 and up to a few thousand. There's such a crazy range, that people could collect a lot. I think what they are referring to are the iconic pieces that replicas are usually made of, in which case the iconic pieces can end up in ridiculously high prices. Still, owning a small and not very expensive piece from a movie tends to give me more joy than owning a replica of an iconic piece.
 
I always keep reading that original props and costumes are unaffordable. This really is not the case. There is a vast array of affordable pieces 'out there' and all the main specialists offer payment plans.

Of course, certain key iconic pieces from certain movies are going to be high but broaden your collecting field of vision and you can easily afford a piece from any movie.

- David

Well said, David. People often ask me about our clients and original prop collectors. "Oh, they must all be rich!" and such. But the reality is that they run the gamut! Sure, some of our clients are well off, but many of them are middle-class folks with this as their passion or hobby. Some people spend on sports tickets, some on cars, some travel... and others props! I've seen some drop-dead amazing props in the collections of "regular joes."

The cool thing is how that hobby can bridge the gaps between all sorts of collectors. The shared love of films and props opens the doors and brings folks of all stripes together. Heartwarming, if you ask me :)

Tom
 
congrats 'Nidgit' and point proven.

- David

Thanks David. It was a grenade launcher round from Doom. I 'lost' countless hours playing Doom on the PC growing up so the movie is a guilty pleasure of mine :D It's a nifty (and very in-expensive) little prop.
 
Feels more special and unique to get a authentic screen used piece. Also justifies the price for a display case or framing which is an expensive chore in itself)
 
Like most, I prefer originals, but I also love to build :D

I spent A LOT of money on original props this year, so I don't think I'll be buying anything else for a while :unsure

:lol:lol:lol Which ones did you buy?

I always keep reading that original props and costumes are unaffordable. This really is not the case. There is a vast array of affordable pieces 'out there' and all the main specialists offer payment plans. Of course, certain key iconic pieces from certain movies are going to be high but broaden your collecting field of vision and you can easily afford a piece from any movie.

Yep. I scored some screen used pieces in the past for $20-$25, so they are quite affordable. That's cheaper than some of the replicas made by fans, so I decided that I'll probably start collecting only original pieces unless there's a replica I just have to have.

I agree. I haven't been collecting long, but I've gotten things for as low as $20 and up to a few thousand. There's such a crazy range, that people could collect a lot. I think what they are referring to are the iconic pieces that replicas are usually made of, in which case the iconic pieces can end up in ridiculously high prices. Still, owning a small and not very expensive piece from a movie tends to give me more joy than owning a replica of an iconic piece.

Yep, completely agree. I noticed some really cheap props and then some really expensive ones from the same movie. But it's nice knowing I can get a screen-used prop (even though it's in the background) for only $20. I'd prefer that over a replica any day. Thanks for posting. :)

Well said, David. People often ask me about our clients and original prop collectors. "Oh, they must all be rich!" and such. But the reality is that they run the gamut! Sure, some of our clients are well off, but many of them are middle-class folks with this as their passion or hobby. Some people spend on sports tickets, some on cars, some travel... and others props! I've seen some drop-dead amazing props in the collections of "regular joes."
The cool thing is how that hobby can bridge the gaps between all sorts of collectors. The shared love of films and props opens the doors and brings folks of all stripes together. Heartwarming, if you ask me :)

Completely true! It's cool seeing people of all ages come together to share their love for films and collecting. :D

I've seen people spend hundreds (maybe even thousands :lol) of dollars on shoes, clothing, jewelry, video games, etc. I just don't care for those that much at all. I just need whatever that's convenient, looks nice, etc., but nothing that expensive. I just rather save all of those dollars for props. ;)

Feels more special and unique to get a authentic screen used piece. Also justifies the price for a display case or framing which is an expensive chore in itself)

Lol, I've yet to get a display case for my props. They're just so darn expensive! I'd rather save that money on another prop! :lol:lol Maybe one day when I have a bigger collection, I'll decide to invest in a display case.
 
Those are so unbelievably creepy! Would love to see a pic!

I don't want to derail this thread and turn it into something about me so here's a quick couple of pics of the Nurse outfit:
(click the pics for a better view)
SilentHill-Nurse1.jpg

And this is a screen matched pic of the same exact costume in the production.
yummynurse.jpg

Ugh,!!!! I really can't figure out how to take away a pic after initially using it in my post. Does anyone know how to get rid of an attachment?

BTW, if Carrossea would like me to erase my pics, just let me know and I'll do it. I know this thread isn't about me and my personal collection.
 

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I also want to see that I agree that props don't need to be super expensive in order for it to be cherished. Even something small from your favorite movie universe can have very important meaning and a special place in your heart.

On the other hand I only deal with Propstore at the moment, and it's because of their payment plan policy that I'm even able to at all afford some of these pieces. Breaking a payment up over 6 months makes it easier for me and others to acquire our most sought after collectibles.

So there are options out there for collectors. This hobby CAN be doable.

I was looking into getting display cases for my pieces but that will just have to wait. Like Carrossea said, I'd love to just save up more money for more collectibles.
 
Ugh,!!!! I really can't figure out how to take away a pic after initially using it in my post. Does anyone know how to get rid of an attachment?
BTW, if Carrossea would like me to erase my pics, just let me know and I'll do it. I know this thread isn't about me and my personal collection.

Don't delete the pictures! Thanks for posting! ;) Also, to delete the thumb nail, it's rather complicated.... :unsure You have to click the "More Reply Options", then scroll down and click on "Manage Attachments". Then something should pop-up, and you'll figure it out from there. But it's annoying to do, so you can just leave it, :lol.

I also want to see that I agree that props don't need to be super expensive in order for it to be cherished. Even something small from your favorite movie universe can have very important meaning and a special place in your heart.

On the other hand I only deal with Propstore at the moment, and it's because of their payment plan policy that I'm even able to at all afford some of these pieces. Breaking a payment up over 6 months makes it easier for me and others to acquire our most sought after collectibles.

So there are options out there for collectors. This hobby CAN be doable.

I was looking into getting display cases for my pieces but that will just have to wait. Like Carrossea said, I'd love to just save up more money for more collectibles.

Exactly! I'd sometimes rather own something that's in the background knowing that it was used on screen for the movie rather than some of the more expensive replicas. And thanks for posting about PropStore! I've never bought from them, so I didn't know about their payment policy. :D
 
Don't delete the pictures! Thanks for posting! ;) Also, to delete the thumb nail, it's rather complicated.... :unsure You have to click the "More Reply Options", then scroll down and click on "Manage Attachments". Then something should pop-up, and you'll figure it out from there. But it's annoying to do, so you can just leave it, :lol.

Yeah, I tried that but for whatever reason it wasn't working. At this point I don't care. Whatever... I'll just leave it the way it is.

Exactly! I'd sometimes rather own something that's in the background knowing that it was used on screen for the movie rather than some of the more expensive replicas. And thanks for posting about PropStore! I've never bought from them, so I didn't know about their payment policy. :D

Propstore has been great! It's because of their payment plan that I was able to get that SH nurse outfit at all. I don't have a couple grand lying around so that really eases the sting.

Plus Propstore are 100% trust worthy. Except for a possible rare exception what you see there is REALLY what you get. You can trust them with their collectibles.

Unlike another shady Prop house I've heard of...
 
I enjoy the process of creating a replica more than actually possessing it, so I fall into the replica camp. I'd definitely love to own certain screen used things, but generally I am in this for the process of recreating the things I love from the movies with my own hands.
 
I'd prefer original but love my replicas:

Charmed original: Magic School book set-prop, Piper's house plant gardening tools from conservatory
replica: Full size Book of Shadows

Wolverine: replica: Red Monkey 'Vintage' watch x-band gray face (my cuff is 1/2" smaller)
 
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