Collecting Movie Star Photos - An Introduction

Collecting vintage photographs and movie star photos is a worthwhile hobby. Today, one can appreciate an old picture because of it’s exciting imagery, subject matter or the history it shows. For old Hollywood enthusiasts, it can be a means of collecting a memorable  scene within a movie that can be valuable. There’s always a reason for obtaining movie star photos and it can be for a personal or subjective reason.

Rare movie star photos can be precious. A signed Hollywood star photograph can be worth thousands of dollars, but that’s not always the case. Several considerations or factors can affect the value of an old photo.

An Introduction to Collecting Movie Star Photos

There are several types of printed photographs from the 19th century. There were CDV, ambrotype process, tintype, cab cards, and the most expensive of them all, the daguerreotype. A collector should also be familiar with these types as it can be a factor as well on how valuable the movie star photos are.

Other factors that can affect the value of a vintage photograph for movie star photos are:

• Condition: The less creases and handling marks, the higher the cost
• Rareness: Fewer copies mean higher value
• Originals or reprints: It is self-explanatory that an original photo is more expensive than reprints. However, reprints are widely used as publicity or movie advertisement and are reprinted in a certain number. They can also be valuable.
• Signed: Movie star photos that are autographed by an actor or actress themselves are very much valuable.
• Photographers: The works of highly respected photographers such as George Hurrell, Cecil Beaton, Floyd McCarty are famous back in the day. Knowing who took the photographs can give the collector an idea of its value.

Movie Stills and Movie Star Photos

Photo stills from a movie are a visual history of motion pictures. Almost every aspect of the film is captured in this medium, which is unique. Most photo or scene stills are captured by photographers as snap images of the process to showcase the making of a movie.

As for movie star photos, it is common in Hollywood’s photography studios to shoot glamour and pin-up-style photography of the stars. These images are used to promote an actor or actress and their role in the movie.

Photo stills and movie star photos are a collectible form of art. Capturing moments during the old Hollywood era is art itself. It has piqued the interest of many and is now becoming highly collectible.

About WalterFilm:

WalterFilm provides the finest selection of original movie star photos, movie scripts & rare books, lobby cards, vintage movie posters and Hollywood movie memorabilia that focus on the glorious history of the European and Hollywood Motion Picture Business. Visit our website at https://walterfilm.com to learn more about us.