I read this article yesterday and thought its topic was bizarre, although it did not surprise me:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16357894
It reminded of something I heard on the radio years ago when someone apparently bought a bottle Kelly Clarkson had drunk out of, which still contained undrunk water within it. I was also reminded of a segment on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno called "Stuff We Found On E-Bay" where another person had bought a strange item: a Brussels sprout priced at $2,700 claimed to be from a Christmas meal in the United Kingdom (it might have also been supposedly from Queen Elizabeth II's dinner table, I am not sure).
I do find it odd that some people love (or maybe "obsessed with" is a better term) certain celebrities so much, they would be happy to have a piece of something their favourite star owned, no matter how disgusting it was. Personally, I do not fine the practice appealing, but if it did, I would rather have something useful...or at the very least, less gross. I see the appeal in getting someone's autograph (after all, my Dad, brother, and I all went to a book signing by Bruce Campbell), but anything beyond that does seem unnecessary to me (though I can certainly see value in a proper gift from a particular celebrity).
Speaking of autographs, I also remember interviews on the radio with musicians who spoke of having to sign strange items when there was not any paper available to write on (such as someone's hat, or worse, underwear).
In all fairness, the museum mentioned in the link above may still be an interesting place to visit to see what celebrity food items have been collected there. The place seems to be a success!
As a person who spends a lot of their online time on ebay looking for bargains I have found very odd stuff being sold on there over the years. I remember one person was selling a glass tumbler used by Bill Kaulitz of Tokio Hotel during an interview (it apparently still had the lip print on it) and a scarf worn by Gustav Schaefer of Tokio Hotel during that same interview which he accidentally left it behind and the person didn't even bother returning it to him. I don't think anyone bought that stuff in the end because the seller had little or no proof showing that the items were legitimate.
ReplyDeleteI think the most despicable thing I saw on ebay was just days after Ryan Dunn from Jackass died in a horrific car crash and people were taking things from the car crash scene and said to local news (there are clips on youtube) that they would sell that stuff (car parts, burned branches etc) on ebay. The most horrible thing that turned up from that was a drop of his blood!!! (blood of course is prohibited from being sold on ebay for obvious reasons) But to think that someone stole from the corpse of a dead person (not even talking about the famous part here) just to try and make money makes me sick. I think any fans of his wouldn't have bid on it anyway as that was completely disrespectful on the part of the seller to have done any of what they did.
Even though I do collect memorabilia in the form of posters and cds, I don't think I would ever buy something like a used water bottle or the like. And clothing, while it would be interesting to have as you can't exactly wear it but display only it, if it was notable enough piece I don't think I could personally afford it. Though if I could afford it I don't think I'd know what to do with it hence I wouldn't waste my money on something I have no use for. I guess it all depends on what you're going to do with the items once you have them: if they were a significant part of pop culture then they probably deserve a place in a museum or Hard Rock cafe and the like. Or at least a very impressive fan collection: I know one Evanescence fan who has nearly everything they've commercially released (it's so incredibily extensive that they created a website just so other fans can look at their collection) but also has props from the Everybody's Fool video (like a doll and a perfume bottle) but that doesn't seem creepy to me as the person bought the props because they were used in the video (the perfume bottle actually wasn't but was made for the video) not so much because of the band members. Whereas I think buying celebrity items for a private fan collection that are used and still have the sweat stains in them is disgusting to say the least as it goes beyond an obsessive fascination with that celebrity. That kind of obsession freaks me out to be honest.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is it depends on what a person buys and why they bought it. Suitable autographed items such as books, cds, posters, even napkins is fine. Well known props from and extremely notable clothing I can understand but only in the context of an extensive fan collection as someday that collection might be used in a museum but other than that no on everything else (especially if the celebrity's DNA is the main selling point).
Whoa...I think your comment is at least twice as long as my initial post. :D
ReplyDeleteI certainly would treat anything claiming to be "owned by the artist" for sale as suspicious unless the person selling it can provide proof of their claim. That being said, I don't think I would want a used, unwashed glass from anyone! :P
I had not heard that about Ryan Dunn, and I highly doubt that the people who stole from his corpse and the crash site overall were fans of him to begin with (in fact, they sound like awful people full stop). The attempted sale of those items does fit in with what I wrote in my post, but I will also add here that putting those things up for sale was also an insult to his memory.
For the most part, my post was focused more on people after stuff personally owned by a celebrity, rather than commercial items from the celebrity (or even props, for that matter): I certainly don't want to dismiss people seeking legitimate collector's items...and even I like those sort of items occasionally! After all, if I went to an event where Evanescence was present and they had t-shirts, hats, and/or posters for sale, I see no harm in purchasing one, but it would be creepy (to say the least) to want the clothing of the bandmembers themselves! I do think there is a big difference in wanting to collect worthwhile items such the fan you mention in your comment does, and collecting...well, less sanitary objects.
That was quite a long comment to respond to! :D I do, however, really appreciate the feedback. I just hope I didn't contradict my original point with this response, but rather, clarified it a bit more. :)
(Oh and speaking of props, one really worthwhile "prop museum" would have been one for all the items made for the production of the "Lord of the Rings" films: that would have been impressive.)
Yeah it was a long comment and I actually had to cut out many examples as the response was a lot longer for example when celebrities sell some of their used clothing on ebay for a good cause e.g. Miley Cyrus a year or two ago.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be surprised how fanatical some fans will get about owning a used glass of their favourite celebrity: unfortunately it does happen :/
They weren't as fans wouldn't have stolen from the crash site and a lot of fans were watching ebay listings for stolen items but I don't think anyone expected to see that.
Well I only mentioned props within the whole collecting thing as a comparision to collecting considerably more personal items of the celebrity. Some collectors tend to cross that line too often (collecting personal items of celebrities) and that's when it gets all too creepy yet other fans wouldn't have much of a problem with it considering the vastness of the rest of their collection and would encourage it. (i've seen it but would rather not mention what fandoms I've seen it in :/)
You clarified it quite well. I just hope I was clearer in why I brought up props in this discussion :)
(That would be worthwhile although would be incredibly large and would need a great security system so that thiefs don't try to steal the props.)
It was a great comment. ;) You brought up decent points, and it was good to address them. I'm glad I was able to clarify what I meant before, too.
ReplyDelete