Do you collect celebrity memorabilia? Do you know how you could make a profit selling it on eBay?
Well with this business idea you are about to find out.
When Bob Hope passed away on July 27, 2003, hundreds of new 'Bob Hope' auctions appeared on eBay within hours. Crass? Maybe. Capitalistic? Probably. Profitable? Definitely!
What do Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, and Julia Child have in common?
A) They each appeared on film and TV. B) They all lived in California. C) They are each deceased. D) Their memorabilia sells for high $$.
Answer: All of the above
Immediately upon their passing, their memorabilia sold for high dollars on eBay! Why? The same reason some artists' paintings increase in value upon their death - there are no more paintings to be made.
Non-renewable memorabilia such as autographs, limited edition photographs, out of print films, etc., can sell for hundreds of dollars.
When a celebrity person passes away, what they touched or owned becomes a part of history and people are willing to pay well for it. Items such as original portraits, out of print posters, lobby cards, and the like are also highly desirable.
Even a year after his death, if you were to do a Completed Search on eBay for 'Bob Hope', you can find numerous items selling for $100 or more:
When President Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, again, within hours, hundreds of auctions hit the eBay boards. One item, a high school yearbook that he signed to a fellow student sold on eBay for $2,291.00.
When chef Julia Child died on August 13, 2004, as expected, within hours hundreds of auctions were posted.
But, unlike 'flooding the market' with other types of items, celebrity memorabilia is more unique.
Rarely are identical items (except autographs - and even those are each unique) are up for sale. Case in point: JULIA CHILD “The Way To Cook 6 VHS SET” - RARE which sold for $355.00, and Julia Child SIGNED “From Julia Child's Kitchen” 1st Ed which sold for $250.00.
What do these sellers know that you don't know?
Many collectors who are in it for profit buy memorabilia while an aging celebrity is still alive for low dollars, and hold on to it until the celebrity passes away. At that point, they put their collection up for sale and can make a handsome profit.
Perhaps this sounds a little morbid, but you can also look at it as a way of preserving and honoring history, and making memorabilia collectors happy too.
