If you are starting to become a movie buff of some sort, you may be thinking of taking the movie experience home with you by collecting your very own movie memorabilia. You may start with buying the DVD of the movie but then, your fascination of the Hollywood scene may increase and you end up really getting serious in your collection. Here are some tips in collecting movie magic.

There are several items you can collect pertaining to a movie. You can collect actual props used in the movie, costumes worn in the set, posters, film cells, scripts, action figures or even backdrop paintings. Most people stick to one category so they get to learn more about this one category and hone their skills in it but if you feel like collecting everything, then be prepared to learn.

Authenticity is always a huge deal in memorabilia collection, be it for movies or something else. To protect yourself, always ask for a letter of authenticity from your dealer. Also, if you have the resources, and especially if you are about to pay a huge chunk of money for an item, ask a third party investigator to check the item’s authenticity for you.

Only deal with reputable dealers. As the movie memorabilia community online for help.

Not all movie memorabilia cost hundreds and thousands of dollars. Some can cost as little as below $20, like small trinkets used in recently made films.

If you are about to buy an item that costs more than a month’s paycheck, see if you can look for consumer ratings on this dealer you are about to buy from so that you will know if this person is worthy of your money and the transaction is legit.

Here are some tips for collecting some of the popular movie items.

Collecting Disney Memorabilia

Everyone loves the Disney characters, from its list of dainty and powerful princesses like Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Aurora and Jasmine to its human-like animal characters like the Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Boys and girls of all ages enjoy watching their fantasies and dreams come to life through Disney movies and theme parks.

This is why collecting Disney memorabilia is a hobby that is done both by the young ones and the young “once." If you are planning to start your very own Disney collection, then here are some steps that may help you.

The best source of Disney memorabilia is still the Disney theme parks. They are filled with Disney clothes, mugs, sun visors, slippers, bags, coasters, mouse pads, computer items and many more.

The internet is also a hub for Disney collectors. This is a place where collectors trade their items as well as sell their duplicates. The company, Walt Disney, in itself, is also selling through this portal.

Best to stick with one category first then broaden it a bit to have a more diverse collection. If you loved the Little Mermaid, then you can collect all the character memorabilia out there, like Ariel, King Tritons, Sebastian, Flounder and Ursula among others. Or you can choose to gather Mickey Mouse inspired items, where you get to spot that “hidden Mickey"

Find other Disney collectors’ website and see if they are willing to part with their Disney items at the correct price.

Check out the featured McDonalds happy meal toy because sometimes, the item free for the kids is a Disney memorabilia.

Collecting Star Wars Memorabilia

Hard core fans of the Star Wars movies are usually kids from the 70’s, this was when the first Star Wars movie was every released. People who collect items relating to the movie, like posters, press release kits, film cells and props are those who are passionate about the film that they want to take a piece of it in their homes.

In collecting Star Wars memorabilia items, here are some things you may want to think about.

All Star Wars related items are registered under the trademark of LucasFilm.

As with collecting other movie items, the pricing for Star Wars items all depends on how much you are willing to give for that item. The rarer the item is, the highly likely that the items price is expensive. Items that are of a certain age are also pricey in themselves.

In checking the authenticity of a Star Wars memorabilia, you can take your Star Wars item, for example, you bought a Star Wars hand prop that was allegedly used in the movie made in the 70’s. To verify the authenticity you can:

Ask a third party institution to verify it for you.

Ask the “experts" known to have spent time studying the movie.

Bring the item in a Star Wars convention and ask the participants if they believe your item is authentic. If the actor who help that prop is there, best to ask him or her as well.

A prop is more authentic if the person who sold it to you was in the credits of the movie.

Collecting Transformers Memorabilia

The recent 2007 movie of the Transformers franchise rekindled the public clamor for more of those Transformers items. Aside from cars, Transformers action figures and items are really the toys for the big boys. In collecting Transformers memorabilia, here are some things you may want to take note of.

Transformers memorabilia range from movie posters, press kits, stills, film cells, action figures, tickets and even costumes worn and props used by the actual cast in the movie. Tracking these items can be done through eBay or movie auction houses.

In searching for Transformers action figures, you can refine your search by specifying if the robot you are looking for is an Autobot or a Decepticon, if the non-robot or alternate mode of your robot of choice is a car, a truck, an insect, etcetera and by saying which Transformers generation is it.

In checking the condition of the memorabilia you are about to buy, request for a close up picture of your item. Or, if you can meet your dealer first and inspect the item before purchasing it, all the better.

Make sure you ask for a letter of authenticity from your dealer.

Although there are limited providers who do this, best to transact only with Transformers memorabilia sellers that offer a money back guarantee promo.

The best items are up for sale on conventions of Transformers. Experts on the field are always present there so you can ask their opinion about an item before purchasing it.