Sell Your Vintage Photoplay Magazines (1950s and Older)
Welcome to SellOldMagazines.com—a trusted source for the careful and selective review of vintage magazine collections. If you own original issues of Photoplay from the 1950s or earlier, your collection may qualify for review. As one of the earliest and most influential movie fan magazines, Photoplay offers a window into Hollywood’s golden age.
We are currently reviewing select Photoplay magazine collections dated 1959 and earlier that meet our general buying standards.
About Photoplay Magazine
First published in 1911, Photoplay was one of the very first magazines devoted entirely to motion pictures and their stars. It helped establish the celebrity profile format and became a go-to source for fans wanting behind-the-scenes glimpses of their favorite actors. Through its lush portrait covers and fan-focused features, Photoplay chronicled the careers, romances, and rumors surrounding major stars from silent films through the studio system era.
Vintage issues are often recognized for:
Portrait covers of major film stars like Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe
Fan letters, movie reviews, and exclusive Hollywood features
Gossip columns and profiles that helped shape early film publicity
Beautiful early 20th-century illustrations (in pre-photography eras)
What We’re Looking For
While we welcome all inquiries, only Photoplay collections that meet the following criteria will be considered for review:
Era: Primarily issues from the 1910s through the 1950s
Condition: Must be in very good condition—no torn covers, missing pages, water damage, or mold
Mailing Labels: Label-free copies preferred, especially when labels obscure star portraits or cover text
Quantity: We do not purchase individual issues. Submissions should include 10 or more, boxed and ready to ship or available for local pickup
Content Consideration: Issues featuring milestone events (Oscars, marriages, scandals, studio exclusives) may enhance reviewability, though content alone does not guarantee acceptance
Because Photoplay had a long publication run and high circulation, only collections that meet our standards for condition, completeness, and volume are likely to be reviewed.
How to Sell Your Photoplay Magazine Collection
If your collection meets the above criteria, please complete our quote form and upload several clear, well-lit images showing covers, issue dates, and general condition. If accepted, we’ll provide shipping instructions or coordinate a local pickup when feasible.
We do not appraise or guarantee purchases, but we’re happy to review qualifying collections.
Have a 1950s or Older Photoplay Collection?
Whether you’re managing an estate, organizing a personal archive, or downsizing a collection, we welcome your Photoplay submission—if it fits our current review standards. Please note: due to high volume, we respond only to collections that match our buying needs.
Start your submission today by uploading sample images and a summary of your collection through our quote form. If your materials qualify, we’ll guide you through the next steps.
At SellOldMagazines.com, we specialize in the thoughtful preservation of vintage entertainment media—including Photoplay, the publication that helped define the very concept of celebrity.
