Whatever you collect — stamps, coins, DVDs or antique dolls — you probably started your collection without actually thinking of it as a collection. But once you’ve got a shelf, an album or a whole storage unit full of your collectible, it’s time to think about the best way to grow your collection so that it adds value and fun to your hobby. This article gives some tips on how to collect DVDs.
Look for Extras
When you’re looking through new release DVDs and seeing which ones spark your fancy, consider what makes the items truly collectible. For DVDS, this is often the extra bits that come in a box set or with a new release. Sometimes, the set will include two versions of your movie — the film version you probably watched in the theater in addition to the extended director’s cut version that has longer scenes and possibly an alternate ending. Or, it might have a few add-on scenes of never-before-seen footage that adds something to the backstory or provides a humorous side to one of the characters.
Find Out How Many Copies Were Released
Before spending money on DVDs just for the sake of collecting them, find out what they’re worth. One way to tell if a DVD will become valuable is if it is rare. Sometimes only a relatively small number of DVDS or box sets are released for sale to the public. These become more valuable over time and add worth to your collection. Sometimes special “Collector’s Edition” DVDs are released with the idea that these will become valuable. It’s good to watch out for these, though they aren’t always as collectible as the movie’s producers hope they will become. Just like with a book or baseball cards, getting a copy of a DVD that’s been signed by a cast member or director will also make it more rare, and therefore more valuable.
Do Your Research
Of course, you’re not going to know which DVDs are limited edition and which ones might have extras until you do your research. Spend some time on the Internet and also at the library looking up the films and TV shows you’re most interested in to see if these have any DVDs in circulation that are worthy of your collection.
Seek Out Novelty Cases and Tangible Extras
One fun way to add to your collection and jazz up your DVD shelves at the same time is to find box sets of DVDs that come with novelty cases. For example, there’s a box set shaped like the robotic skull of the Terminator, from the movies of the same name, and a “Rambo” series box set that comes in a case shaped like a grenade. These are fun conversation pieces for your coffee table or display shelves, and they usually appreciate in value as well.
Look for Themes
Buying any old DVD can be fun, but it might give your collection an edge and purpose if you collect DVDs on certain themes. For example, you might search for all the works of a particular director, or movies featuring a certain actor. If you like foreign films, you could try for top-rated movies from a certain culture or filmed in a language other than English. Awards ceremonies give us collectible themes too — you could try to get all of the films featuring actresses who got an Oscar for best supporting role. Or, you could collect the DVDs and soundtrack CDs together. There are many options.
Interview DVDs
Another interesting facet to your DVD collection could be supplemental disks or a scrapbook that features the making of a particular movie or series. Interviews with cast and crew and “Easter Egg” surprises that production companies leak before the premiere can add depth and value to your collection.
DVD collection image from Flickr’s Creative Commons by The Next Web
About the Author: Yvonne Harkness loves visiting museums that house special collections. She’s seen interesting exhibits about coins, bottles, and even buttons. She thinks it’s fascinating how the human mind can maintain passion for even the most ordinary objects. For herself, she collects vinyl records, DVDs and antique dolls.