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Screenplay Collecting Condition Guide

Condition of scripts are determined by many variables. Keep in mind that most scripts were working copies used by the cast and crew. Most cast & crew people drink coffee and so a lot of scripts tend to have a few coffee rings on the cover and first few pages. Actors like to fold pages down the middle or the top corners. Assistant Directors would have made lines down the script to show the actual page length of scenes in the script. A Script Continuity person makes notes all over the pages regarding the running time and noting dialogue changes. Names are common on the scripts as many cast & crew have their names written on them when they are handed out by the Studio. This doesn’t mean they are signed by the talent it just means someone wrote their name on it so it could be given to that person.

Condition Definitions

MINT - (M) No rips or tears. Complete with no missing pages. No musty smells. No markings. Both back & front card stock covers intact (if issued). Script lays flat and print is clearly defined.

FINE - (F) No rips or tears. Some minor markings. Shows usage. Some folded page corners

GOOD - (G) Minor rips but no paper loss. Covers or pages loose but still present.

FAIR - (F) Major tears. Missing the back cover. Minor musty smell. Minor liquid stains like coffee.

POOR - (P) Missing both covers (if issued) Major liquid damage. Mold. Insect damage. Missing pages. Paper brittle and flakes off to the touch.

Mold

The one thing you don’t really want in your collection is paper that has mold on it. Some molds are destructive enough that it will eat paper. The other thing to keep in mind is that mold loves paper and will spread from one script to the next. The most destructive mold is black in color. Unfortunately, you really can’t get rid of mold once it spreads on the paper.

Musty Smell

If your paper smells musty it is the beginnings of mold. This means that the paper has a lot of moisture content.  The smell is actually a form of gas that the microscopic mold spores produce. There are many so-called cures that you can find on the internet. The goal is to get rid of the excess moisture. Some people put their scripts in absorbent kitty litter, put them in a container with an open box of Baking Soda and using Silica Gel Desiccant. Many prefer the Desiccant method. The material is usually sold in porous paper packs. Take a few of them and place them in a bag with your script. The material will slowly absorb any excess moisture. 

Insect & Rodent Damage

Many scripts get stored in the garage, basements and attics. There are some insects & rodents that love to digest paper and live in these areas. The most common are Silver Fish. They will eat the paper and leave trails. Tell tale signs are little trails and tine holes here and there in the paper. Mice love to nibble on paper and you can tell when the edges of the script are frayed with tiny tooth marks. 

Prices

The best place to see prices and find scripts for sale would be eBay. In the past five years prices for Original Vintage Screenplays have skyrocketed. The auction site is also a place where many people sell copies of the originals. Serious collectors stay away from these as they have no value. There is also volumes of scripts on eBay that have so-called autographs on them. When it comes to autograph collecting “Buyer Beware”. There is no real way of telling if an autograph is really from a specific person unless it has been authenticated. That process is expensive so most people just cross their fingers and hope they have the real thing. A lot of sellers also provide Certificates Of Authenticity (C.O.A.). Usually these are meaningless and most are just made up on someone’s computer and printer.

Above: Script Continuity Example