VHS was the first popular way to have movies at home. In the age of video-on-demand and streaming, videotapes are regaining some luster, despite the discontinuation of VCRs since 2016.
From the beginning, the number of collectors was small, and sales remained relatively low, with prices rarely exceeding $5. The trend started with some rare movies, hard to find online or elsewhere, selling for several hundred dollars on tape.
Growing enthusiasm
Multinational auction house Heritage Auction made it possible to sell the VHS Back to the future dated 1986 to a New York collector for $75,000. It belonged to Tom Wilson, the actor who played the terrifying Biff Tannen. In the note accompanying the tape by the actor, it was stated: “This is a video tape that was sent to me by the studio at the time. Since I thought VHS support would last forever, I saved it for later. Now I can’t find a VCR anymore.”
Published on the same day Marine teeth was sold for 32,500 dollars and one Rambo 22,500 Blockbusters are popular today, with a particular focus on the 1980s. The power of nostalgia that has also affected the vinyl sector.“The trend is still weak», nuance Jörg Müller, Crédoc researcher on societal trends, technology and generational issues. “There is certainly a vintage appeal, fueled by the interest of the Forties who miss the era and relax with these objects. But too many parameters, such as purchasing power, come into play to know whether VHS returns will be warranted..
“ The common perception that people can order any movie from home is completely wrong.” Matthew Booth, owner of Atlanta’s Tesaderom, notes for the New York Times. The latter sees VHS selling more and more. If the public is convinced by neither the rental nor the streaming offering, it turns to either DVD or VHS.
The enthusiasm is also evident on social networks. There are more and more groups on Facebook dedicated to sharing and buying, for example “La Caverne aux VHS”. The hashtag #vhsforsale has over 67,000 posts on Instagram. On Twitter, Internet users share their latest achievements. The ecosystem around this collection is developing at a rapid pace, with the proliferation of tape authentication services and the steady operation of auction houses.
Obviously, the interest lies in finding first editions or “premium” editions that are new in their original packaging. The rarity of the object prevails. Reference, among others. first edition Star Wars, which dates back to 1977, the year VHS began to be marketed. The cost of the tape is about $10,000. Copies of some movies from the first US VHS shipment can fetch up to 7 figures.
The ode to the 1980s is not over. The Duffer Brothers, creators of the hit series Stranger Things which takes place at the time, want to adapt the program on VHS and give it a time grain.
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.