By @Vancouvercomicjunkie with L.E Collectibles

Hold on just a second, if you don’t mind.

Let me see if I understand this correctly. People are collecting old video tapes?
You can’t mean those dusty, plastic bricks that old guys used to watch movies on when they were kids. You can’t mean… VHS!

Yes, VHS; the videos with the terrible picture quality. The tapes that you had to rewind after each viewing, lest you be designated “Unkind” by your local video rental store. The beat-up boxes in a Jenga-like stack, teetering in the far corner of every third-rate flea market. The ones priced at a quarter apiece just so the seller can save himself a trip to the landfill.

VHS as a collectable… have you gone mad, sir?

Why in the world would I waste my claw-machine quarters on VHS? Granted, I never get anything out of the claw machine (don’t get me wrong, I remain optimistic). More specifically, why would I waste my hard-earned cash on something that is a dime a dozen.

The answer is that sometimes things are a dime a dozen… until they aren’t.

Let’s explore that concept with an example. For instance, take the movie, “Halloween.” We can all agree that John Carpenter’s slasher opus remains one of the most iconic movies in cinema. Killer poster art, an unforgettable theme and a frightmare of a plot. Maybe you have a personal connection to the film that engendered a phobic fear of William Shatner. That’s what it did to George Takei. Anyway, we can agree that a nice copy of Halloween would be a pretty amazing display and conversation piece for anyone to own.

So, let’s start there. We’ve decided we want to own a VHS copy of Halloween to display over by the graded comics or games on the “collection shelf”.

Simple, right? …Well, let’s find out.

A cursory glance at eBay should do the trick.
There we go! Thousands of Halloween VHS tapes for sale. Pretty simple, if you ask me.

Some copies cost only a few dollars in addition to a meager shipping fee. You’re probably thinking to yourself… tons of copies, no real market, all supply - no demand. It’s just NOT rare, right?

WRONG!

There is a myriad of variances between these copies that differentiate one from another. Since we want the nicest copy we can get, let’s start adding some search parameters.

First, we are going to look at our wide selection with the idea that we only want a factory-sealed copy. In VHS and Beta, sealed tapes are more desirable and collectible.

BOOM goes the dynamite!

The screen doesn’t look the same anymore. That simple search knocks off about 85% of the results right off the bat.

Now, we are down to maybe eighty listed copies of factory-sealed Halloween VHS tapes. Obviously, still a lot, but this is where it gets fun.

We can end the search right here and purchase a factory-sealed copy of Halloween printed in the 1990s or 2000s. With a little luck, we may only be looking at an investment somewhere in the $25-$100 range. However, that’s probably not the investment we want to make. You will discover that the later prints of Halloween are still cool, but relatively common.

Wait, prints with an “S”? As in plural?

Yes, much like comic books and video games, many of the most desirable VHS and Beta tapes were printed in waves. The first were distributed to video stores about a year after their theatrical releases. As a film ages, it may receive multiple print runs. Halloween has tons. Widescreen releases, digital sound releases, you name it. However, as collectors we see that the earlier the print, the rarer the print.

So, now things have changed for us a bit. As collectors and investors, we are now on the hunt for the earliest print of Halloween- known in the hobby as a “first print”.

So, let’s eliminate all the 1990s and newer tapes from our search.

Wait a second, now. This is getting good. With our new search, FAR fewer prints pop up, don’t they?

Time to buy?
No sir; we came for the best copy, we are not remotely finished here!

Lucky for us, we’ve done our research, and we know that there is an amazing 1981 copy in a black slipcase from Media Entertainment. Go ahead, run our search, partner! Now that we are zeroing in on a true super-rare printing of Halloween, what did you find?

Did you even find one?

Forget finding one for sale; did you even find a SOLD listing?!

Probably not. Why, though?

A sealed 1981 Media Halloween is an incredibly tough find. It can be done, of course- they exist. However, in all the years I’ve spent in the hobby, I’ve seen maybe… four.  That’s right, only four. These would make a superb addition to any collection.

So out of the thousands of tapes in our original Halloween search, we are now discovering that almost none were anything close to what we are looking for. We are now looking at a 0-result search for a tape with a known population in the single digits. I wouldn’t even want to know how much it would take to pry a copy from an owner's hands. Now, that's F***ing rare, right there!

Now… let me really blow your mind.

This isn’t even the first print!

There was an earlier Halloween print released in a yellow-edged 1979 Media Box.
You can search for it if you like, but don’t hold your breath. The only known copy of the 1979 Halloween was a beautiful Betamax copy that sold in the five-figure range.

Attaining a 1979 sealed Halloween print is a near-impossible task, but also an incredibly thrilling one for a collector. Well, at least for the one collector who was successful so far.

This is one hobby where some of the holy grails are about as rare as, well, The Holy Grail.

Okay, article over! I think I’ve properly explained the rarity and desirability of first prints, and I wish you the best of luck finding one.

Except… that’s STILL NOT the first print.

In 1978, Meda (the precursor to Media) entered the burgeoning VHS market with a series of now iconic VHS and Beta tapes. The prints boasted a striking, yellow-edged case bordering the cover art, with the now awe-inspiring MEDA logo.


Now, I dare you to find a sealed 1978 MEDA Halloween VHS. In fact, try finding an equally elusive BETA issue. Good luck. This thing is as rare as rare gets.

There are 0 (zero) known sealed VHS or BETA first prints of the MEDA Halloween.

In Comic Books, I suppose the closest equivalent to a Halloween first print would be Action Comics #1 or Detective Comics #27. These books go for millions in desirable grades. Even in ‘beat to hell’ condition (the official term, of course) the books command multiple hundreds of thousands. As a big comic book guy, this is great. It’s an indication of comic books receiving their just do. The excitement is warranted as comics have a massive appeal and a significant collecting history.

Action Comics #1 is extremely rare… but compared to many factory-sealed VHS it is utterly common.

There are approximately 100 known copies of Action Comics #1 in various conditions. There are only 75 known copies of Detective Comics #27. The point being that if you have the money- you can own one. It won’t be cheap, but money won’t stop you from attaining your goal.

Can you say the same thing about one of the pinnacle tapes of the sealed VHS hobby?

Let me interject here. “No” is the answer.

We started this little adventure with the simple task of owning a Halloween VHS tape. It’s one of the most popular movies in history. Thus, it may be a shock to discover that there is a strong chance no matter how much money you have to spend, you may never even SEE a first print copy of Halloween, let alone own one.

And THIS is why I love this hobby. The rarity, the tapes… and the hunt is everything!

Everyone has a favorite movie.

My father was a huge “Wild Bunch” fan. My best friend Matt? He’s all about Friday the 13th Part 3. My older brother? Star Wars all the way. Ask anyone about their favorite movies and most will have a laundry list of interesting films that truly mean something to them. Movies are important: everyone has a moment when a film touched them in some deep and profound way. (Editor’s Note: For me, it’s when I found ‘Deep Throat’ in my dad’s college stuff).

When I made the connection that I could combine my two favorite hobbies (watching movies and collecting rare copies of them) fireworks lit up in my brain. They singed my synapses, but I’m okay, thanks for your concern. As a true collector at heart, sealed VHS appealed to me on a deep, structural level. I instantly developed a drive to collect the rarest copies of my favorite films, and to uncover the next great VHS previously thought to be lost to time.

Fun fact: I have always loved the movie, “Revenge of the Nerds”. Once again, there are tons of factory-sealed copies of this movie to be found. However, finding a first print from 86 with back white CBS/Fox Watermarks is surprisingly difficult (but not remotely impossible). Add in the fact that even in this nascent stage of the hobby, I’m not the only collector trying to add a copy to my collection. That kind of scenario very quickly raises the price. Who knew?

There are so many VHS and BETA movies like this; the hobby is truly full of treasures. A 1982 Star Wars first print broke six figures at Goldin Auctions. The first prints of the Rocky movies have sold for tens of thousands and are some of the most desired tapes in the hobby. The Goonies first print has touched mid five-figures as mass nostalgia drives a demand that can never be sated by the scant supply.

Superman draws in a vast array of collectors from other hobbies seeking a sealed copy and prices of later prints increase significantly in the process. Horror VHS collectors are some of the most hardcore around, and they are in a hobby where there is only one known first print of “The Thing” and one known first print of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

From the first Magnetic Video to the last commercial VHS (A History of Violence) and the last exclusive VHS (“Cars”) collectors embark on a thrilling hunt for the rarest and earliest prints of their favorite films.

A tape doesn’t even have to be a grail to become someone’s treasure!
Hell, even “Uncle Buck” is sought after by many collectors who can’t wait to display one in a graded slab on their shelf. Because it means something to them. This is a hobby that brings the best of cinema to the best of collectibles. A treasure hunt with no borders and thousands of incredible prizes to be had.

After collecting for a while you’ll discover that certain company’s tapes are so deadly rare that no matter what the title, it becomes a feat just to own any movie they put out (I’m looking at you Magnetic Video and WCI). There are also a multitude of different strategies with which to collect…

Some people go after all their favorite Horror movies and discover how many insane titles they never even knew existed.

I know a few collectors who collect sealed tapes for their poster art exclusively.

One can go after all the biggest Betamax titles (equally hard to find). I personally had to own every David Lynch movie in the earliest print I could get.  Finding an actual sealed first print of Eraserhead is still one of my favorite moments in a lifetime of collecting. I felt like I’d found a piece of history no one else had seen in 40 years.

I know collectors who are attempting to find the biggest actors first appearances on VHS. My favorite example of this is Leonardo DiCaprio in the little-known “Critters 3”. Or maybe Denzel in “Carbon Copy”? How about Tom Cruise in “Endless Love”?

If you find the more modern tapes too common for your taste, then you can instead collect sealed promo, advance, or Academy screeners. In that world, one quickly discovers true rarity in modern movies you might think would be an easy find. Simply put, this hobby is growing, and there are endless possibilities for a collector's approach.

I’m going to end this article with a dare.

I dare you to go out and hunt down your favorite movie, doesn’t matter what it is. I don’t care if it’s “Blade Runner”, “Deer Hunter” or even “Dumb and Dumber”. Go hunt it down.  Take your time. Find a cool version, or your favorite print of that movie.  Get it mailed to you and hold it in your hands. Look at the seal on it. Feel the weight of it. Enjoy the cover artwork and then put it up on your shelf so you can appreciate and admire it.

I’m willing to bet it won’t be the last sealed VHS you buy.

Introduction to VHS/Beta

Hello; and welcome to the wonderful world of VHS collecting!

The love of VHS collecting is nothing new. For decades, collectors sought VHS and BETA copies of their favorite films, rare prints, and of course- obscure horror movies. However, there came a time for VHS collecting to acquiesce to the modernization that all mainstream collectibles have embraced. Sealed VHS (and eventually Graded VHS) would come to join in the spotlight as expected. This was a major sea change and sparked a 2021 VHS gold rush.

A plethora of collectors, speculators and investors crowded auction houses and Ebay, clamoring for some of these new and exceedingly rare collectibles. One couldn’t find a deal on Ebay without being “backdoored” (see glossary, as needed) immediately for their prize. The excitement and speed of VHS growth, along with some irresponsible graders and an early influx of counterfeits caused the hobby to grow without organic development. In essence, the hobby grew too quickly for its own good. There was not a proper base of knowledge available for collectors to learn enough about VHS to buy safely and responsibly.

After this VHS gold rush came a bubble created by the rapid superficial growth. Thankfully, new and more effective grading companies entered the space and cushioned the pop of the bubble. In fact, VHS collecting of all sorts has seen a renaissance where the market has begun seeing consistent organic growth. Sale prices are still exciting, and sometimes spectacular (especially for such a new graded hobby). Also of great excitement is the market’s high end, where rarity and desirability combine to create some of the coolest collectibles in any hobby.

As of now, May 2025, the hobby is intensely fun and growing. The initial bubble bursting ushered out pure flippers and filtered out many of the hobby’s bad actors. We also finally have reliable and trustworthy VHS and BETA grading. Now, the market has found its footing but is still missing a key aspect… knowledge. You cannot spend on any collectible without the appropriate knowledge of what exactly you are buying, its context within the hobby and its approximate value. This guide contains the prerequisite information needed to competently enjoy the thrill of VHS collecting and grading.

When I started out, there was no guide and information was fiercely protected. As a result, I made some horrific buys, purchased some counterfeits and even made a few good purchases. I’ve been there- and I won’t have that happening to you. Cheers- and with this information, may the buys always be in your favor!

1975: Sony introduces the Betamax (BETA) format

1976: JVC introduces the VHS format to compete with Betamax

1976: JVC introduces the Victor HR-3300; the first VCR to use VHS

1977: VHS is released in North America - VCRs become affordable

1977: The first US commercial VHS release: “Hello Dolly” (Magnetic Video 1001, 1977 box date)

1977: Magnetic Video becomes the first prominent VHS company, releasing an opening slate of 50 titles

1977: RCA introduces the first US VHS-based VCR, the RCA VBT200

1978: Paramount and MEDA enter the VHS market

1978: Discovision produces the first Laserdisc: “Jaws”

1978-79: Introduction of Watermarks on VHS and BETA seals to prevent bootlegging VHS

1979: Warner enters the VHS market as WCI

1980: MCA enters the VHS market

1981: Start of the rental market boom

1981: VHS wins the war with Betamax as BETA now accounts for 25% of home video sales to VHS’s 75%

1982: Introduction of VHS-C; compact VHS for camcorders

1984: Hi-Fi expanded audio is introduced in both BETA and VHS

1984: The Macrovision copyright protection system is first used on the 1984’s “The Cotton Club”

1987-1992: S-VHS (Super VHS) is launched as a higher-quality VHS alternative, but the format is short lived

1994: “The Lion King” sets the all-time ales mark for a VHS at 32,000,000 copies

1996: The last Betamax release: “Mission Impossible”

1996: The first Japanese DVDs are released: "Blade Runner," "Eraser," "The Fugitive," and "Codename: Nina (Point of No Return)"

1997: The first US DVD is released: “Twister”

2000: DVD excels, and VHS rentals decline

2000: The last US Laserdisc is released: “Bringing Out the Dead"

2001: The last Japanese laserdisc is released: “Tokyo Raiders"

2003: Yearly DVD rentals surpass VHS figures

2006: The last commercial VHS HORROR release: “Saw II”

2006: The last commercial VHS release: "A History of Violence"

2007: In 2007 only two original exclusive VHS are released: The Disney Movie Club’s “The Little Mermaid” and then finally, “Cars”.

2009: Laserdisc player production ends

2009: Panasonic introduces the first dual deck VHS-Blu-ray player.

2013: Museum of Arts and Design presents, “The Influence of VHS on Art and Cinema”

2015: Yale University’s Library collects 3,000 horror/exploitation movies on VHS (1978 to 1985), calling them "the cultural id of an era”.

2016: Funai Electric produces the last VHS player

2020: VHS becomes extremely popular as a collectible.

2020: The last Blockbuster franchise is still renting out VHS tapes in Bend, Oregon.

2021: Sealed VHS gold rush era

2021: First dedicated VHS auction at a major auction house.

2022: A sealed 1982 Star Wars first print sells for $114,000, making it the most expensive VHS ever sold.

2022: The only known sealed First Print copy of “The Thing” sells for 38,000, making it the most expensive horror VHS ever sold.

2022-2023: CGC, Rewind and Beckett become the only three trusted VHS graders/authenticators.

2024: Alien: Romulus, gets a limited VHS release. It is the first major film to receive an official VHS release since 2007.

Academy Screener: Usually accompanied by “FYC” or “For Your Consideration”, the tapes are scarce and only issued to academy members to screen movies for awards. The earlier the Academy Screener, the less were produced by year as the academy membership continually grows.

Alternate Art: A VHS container that features different art than the commercial release. Many times, Alt Covers are found on screeners, demos, FYC and Promos.

Artwork/Packaging Date: The artwork date (or packaging/artwork date) is the indicator for the year of the box release of a VHS if later than the copyright date.

Back-Door: Tacky and illegal practice of contacting a seller who has made a sale and surreptitiously offering more than the sale price to steal the item from the rightful buyer. The behavior amounts to tortious interference in a sale.

BETA/Betamax: a consumer-level analog video cassette recorder (VCR) format developed by Sony, released in 1975, that used magnetic tapes in a cassette format for recording and playback of video. In and out of the box, BETA tapes are smaller than VHS.

Betacam: Half-inch professional videotape formats developed by Sony for professional television recording.

Big Box: Larger than standard cases that contained VHS and Beta - strong rarity level as companies stopped using them when stores chose not to carry them for space reasons. See Box ID Guide.

BIN: Marketplace acronym that means “Buy It Now”. A fixed price item.

Book Box: Large-form VHS Case that opened like a book and many times had a ‘page’ covering the VHS compartment with production info. One example is the 1979 WCI Book Box Superman- the first print of that film. See Box ID Guide.

BP: Acronym for “Buyer’s Premium” - the extra percentage a buyer pays in an auction-house setting.

Capsule Case: Similar to a clamshell but with closed edges and a border. Also known as a pill case. See Box ID Guide.

CIB: Acronym for “Complete In Box”. An open VHS or Beta complete with the box and anything that came with it.

Clamshell: A plastic ultra protective case for VH releases. Early clamshells were sealed with only stickers and no wrap, with a full seal over the sticker sealed case, or with just a seal. The seals on clamshells are exceedingly fragile. A good example of a clamshell would be the 1985 Terminator First Print from Thorn EMI (no price sticker or super saver). See Box ID Guide.

Color Variant: Tapes released with a rarer different-colored tape variant. Many times, the color will correspond to the title such as the WHITE “Ghost” tape, or the RED “Hunt For Red October” tape.

Color Touch: The unethical und disallowed practice of touching up discolored spots on a VHS case with paint or ink. This will get your tape rejected at grading.

Common: Term for an unexciting or easily found tape with little value.

Counterfeit: Purposefully deceptive fake VHS intended to defraud a customer. Can feature fake watermarks, a fake seal, fake hype etc.

Demo: A promo, screener, demo or FYC tape came out before the release of the commercial version of the VHS and is marked as such. Many promos feature alternate cover art.

DMC: Acronym for the “Disney Movie Club” - an exclusive mail-order set of VHS released from 2005-2007. The last VHS commercially released is “The History of Violence”. There are not commercial releases. Two of the DMC films came in 2007- the much heralded “Cars” and the overlooked “Little Mermaid” Platinum Edition.

Dog Bone Seal: A type of seal (at the opening of a slipcase, for instance) that looks like a dog’s bone.

Double Stack Watermarks: Also known as Waterfall or Checkered Watermarks, they are full-back watermarks running vertically in two columns, usually a bit uneven. See Watermark Companion.

D-VHS: Digital VHS, a short-lived variant of analog VHS from the modern VHS era. Many were branded “D-Theater”.

EPK: Acronym for an Electronic Press Kit - a VHS or DVD used for promotion within the industry- full of screening and promotional materials.

Etch: The stamped letters on the actual VHS on the guard. They are a sign of early production. One example is the “MCAT” etch on the 1986 MCA - Wrap Around WM - Back to the Future first print.

First Print: A tape with not only the earliest box year but the very specific combination of attributes that identify the tape as the earliest possible VHS or BETA release of the film, including specific watermark color/placement/presence, etch, seal, sticker etc.

Flatback: A type of VHS/Beta factory seal.

FA: Acronym for “First Appearance”

FP: Acronym for “First Print”

Full Enclosure Box: A box that looks like a slipcase but has no opening on any side. The tape is not visible in the full enclosure box.

FYC: Acronym for “For Your Consideration” which is often written on scarce Academy Screeners.

Gatefold: A type of VHS case that opens like a gate as exemplified by the 1981 Paramount First Print of Friday the 13th.

Guard: The end cap of a VHS, it flips down to protect the magnetic tape. Guards are sometimes different colors than the rest of the VHS, making the tape a “Two-Tone” version which usually indicates an earlier release than solid color guard/tape combos.

Hype Sticker: A promotional sticker from a product or studio affixed to a VHS or Beta

HTF: Acronym for “Hard to Find”

JVC: The company that made the first VHS in Japan

In-Shrink: This is a CIB tape- it is open, but the shrink (possibly watermarks, too) is still present.

LRB: A type of VHS/Beta factory seal that extends along the left, right and bottom of the case.

Magnetic Tape: The black “fruit by the foot” looking stuff that contains the actual audio/video of the film.

National: The earliest variants of Thorn EMI tapes- they have Japanese etchings on the tape.

NTSC: The US signal standard

OOP: Acronym for “Out Of Print”

PAL: The UK signal standard

Pedigree Grade: A graded item that is labeled a ‘pedigree’ comes from a well-known or established VHS/Beta find or collection.

Pill Case: See capsule case.

Price Sticker: This is an original store sticker- not a promotional discount sticker. These have no bearing on grading or print, unlike discount promo hype price stickers.

Promo: A promo, screener, demo or FYC tape came out before the release of the commercial version of the VHS and is marked as such. Many feature alternate cover art.

Remainder Marks: Slashes, Deleted barcodes, drill holes; all purposefully inflicted on a VHS or Beta by a retailer to prevent return of discount items for a full refund.

Reseal: A reseal is a VHS or Beta that has been opened and stripped of its factory seal, then had a new seal applied by a third party. Some of these are distributor/store reseals and not created to mislead, while others are purposeful fakes of a factory seal.

Screener: A promo, screener, demo or FYC tape came out before the release of the commercial version of the VHS and is marked as such. Many of them feature alternate cover art. Each type was meant to promote the movie in a specific way. FYC are Academy Screeners for award consideration. Others are to tempt video store owners to carry the film. Still others are meant to drum up interest in the release of the film on VHS.

Seal: The plastic wrap encasing a VHS at purchase.

Sealed: Still enclosed in the original factory plastic wrap.

Shell: The protective body of the VHS; includes a flip-down guard on the head of the tape

Side-loader: Similar to a full enclosure box but opens on the side- example: 1985 Karate Kid - RCA/Columbia.

Slab: The case in which a grading company encapsulates your collectible.

Slipcase: The most well-known and common VHS case- standard size cardboard box that opens at the bottom.

Spools: Circular pieces of the VHS that hold the magnetic tape, winding from one side to another when played.

Sticker Seal: A sticker that either seals a clamshell or bigger box or goes over the tape inside the factory seal. Example: The sticker seal on a Warner Home Video - 1984 - Police Academy First Print.

S-VHS: Super VHS - a higher quality and short-lived format from the early 90s that features a few incredibly rare collectible gems including “Robocop”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Top Gun”. Sealed and CIB versions are prized by collectors.

Tab Lock: Small plastic piece on some VHS that was meant to prevent recording over your movie.

Two-Tone Tape: A VHS or Beta with a guard that is a notably different color than the actual tape. The two colors make it a “Two Tone” tape.

U-Matic: 3/4-inch video recording format originating in the early 70s.

Vent Holes: A small factory-cut hole in a seal; a circular or ovular cutout in the plastic that releases the pressure under the seal.

VHS: Acronym for “Video Home System”

Waterfall Watermarks: Also known as Double Stack, Checkered or 2x Stack Watermarks, they are full-back watermarks running vertically in two columns, usually a bit uneven.

Watermark (WM): A security measure to prevent the sale of fakes when a tape was released. These are ink logos, words or symbols printed directly onto the plastic factory seal at the factory. They come in a variety of placements and colors and can help determine the print of a VHS.

Window Box: Early box type used by Magnetic Video- the case is basically a slipcase with a window of space cut out on the cover that displays the encased VHS.

Wrap-Around Watermarks: Watermarks that begin on the front of a VHS or Beta and wrap horizontally across the back as well.

1. Window Box:
Usually confined to early Magnetics, window boxes have a cutout in the cover so you can see through to the tape

2. Slipcase:
The most common box, the one where the tape slides from the opening at the bottom

3. Gatefold:
Opens and closes like a book, locking in like a gate

4. Side Loader:
Covers the VHS completely. Open and closes through flaps on the side panel

5. Full Enclosure:
Covers the VHS completely. Open and closes through flaps on the bottom panel

6. Clamshell:
Distinctive plastic shell opening from right to left

7. Book Box:
Opens right left like a book, usually has a “page” panel with all the release information

8. Big Box:
Extra-large version of the slipcase, used to get more store attention- were subsequently frowned upon by retail

9. Paramount Long Box Gatefold:
Only made for 3-6 months in 1979, the Gatefold rarity has a lot of extra length. Pause

VHS distributors quickly found that the biggest threat to their revenue was bootlegging, or the copying and reselling of second-generation VHS movies that cut out the production companies. One of the first and most effective methods utilized by the companies was to watermark VHS and BETA. A watermark is a logo (or shapes/words) printed in different places, colors and patterns on the factory seal. These proved exceedingly difficult to imitate and helped stem the tide of counterfeit sales and the return of resealed pre-viewed tapes.

Watermarks first appeared in 1978-79 and can be identifiers as to both the year of release, and the specific print. For instance, many mid to late 80s CBS/Fox tapes carry blue or white watermarks. The blue ones are always later. Certainly, not all VHS carry watermarks; unwatermarked VHS may certainly have legitimate factory seals. However, some prints require specific color, type and placement of watermarks as illustrated in our Most Wanted Guide. In VERY rare instances, a tape that SHOULD have watermarks will not, leading you to other means of dating.

Below, find the types of watermarks with descriptions and corresponding images.

1. None: Just as you would imagine- these VHS do not have watermarks.
2. Front: Front watermark(s) only appear on the front cover seal.
3. Side: Watermarks that are applied to the spine of the VHS
4. Back: Back watermark(s) only appear on the rear cover seal.
5. Double Stack (Waterfall): Two vertical rows of matching watermarks that stack dually over the surface area of the rear seal.
6. Bottom: These are watermarks on the part of the seal that would cover the tape- just on the bottom panel.
7. Wrap-Around: These watermarks start on the front and loop horizontally all the way around to the back like a belt.
8. Variation of Colors: Color can indicate date of production and signal print identification in many instances.

Tapes and Types whose first prints DO NOT and CANNOT have watermarks:
1. Mad Max - 1983 – Vestron
2. 1977 Magnetic Video prints
3. Gremlins - 1985 - Warner Home Video
4. MCA prints (pre-1981)
5. Paramount Long Box Gatefolds
6. WCI Book Boxes
7. Non-modern Clamshell tapes
8. Warner Home Video Book Boxes
9. Video Rental Library Tapes
10. Purple Rain - 1984 - Warner Home Video

Some tapes on which stickers can indicate a first print:
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Pizza Hut Sticker (and other characteristics)
2. Terminator 2 - Subway Sticker
3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Diet Coke Sticker
4. Jurassic Park - dual red and black circular stickers
5. Warner wraparounds with “Star” Stickers (if matching all requisite characteristics)

Some tapes on which specific discount price or hype stickers indicate a LATER print
1. A Nightmare on Elm Street - $19.99 sticker
2. Thorn EMI tapes
3. Super Saver Stickers
4. “50th Anniversary” Stickers on Paramount tapes
5. 5 Star CBS/Fox Stickers

Determining the print run of your VHS relies on a variety of factors, including Packaging Date, Box Type, Company Logo, Watermarks, and tape features.

What Do Grading Companies Do?

Grading companies authenticate your VHS and Beta and then affix a score to them based on the condition of the box and seal- or the box and media if it is an unsealed tape. Grading must not be done haphazardly- one must choose a reputable company and send in tapes that are desirable, in good enough shape to achieve a high grade, or are especially rare.
You don’t want to skip the rest of the guide and go buy 10 copies of Titanic to grade. You want to grade tapes that you would enjoy displaying and owning, or that those that you want a value-add for selling. Grading is one of the best ways to add value to a piece, in that the buyer is assured authenticity and understands exactly what he or she is getting regarding condition and background info. Tapes of particularly high grade carry a large premium that should only grow as we now have trust-worthy graders available. Of note, grading companies do not denote the particular print of the tape out of an abundance of caution related to liability.

After stepping on many landmines, most experienced collectors use one of three trustworthy companies for grading VHS and Beta, or for use as comparables.

For safety and efficacy in grading, along with guaranteed authenticity, use guide-recommended VHS Grading Companies:



1. CGC Home Video

https://www.cgchomevideo.com/en-US


2. Rewind Grading Company

https://rewindgrading.com/


3. Beckett Home Video

https://www.beckett.com/vhs-grading


Important Note: We discourage buying tapes graded by defunct grading companies. Tapes graded by defunct grading companies can be counterfeit, damaged, mis-graded and come with no guarantee or recourse for remuneration if the tape isn’t authentic.

* See the “Print Guide Companion” Document

WARNER - Warner Home Entertainment

WCI Home Video (1978–1980)
Warner Home Video (1980–2016)

UNIVERSAL - Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

MCA Videocassette, Inc. (1981-1983)
MCA Home Video (1983-1990)
MCA/Universal Home Video (1990-1996)
Universal Studios Home Entertainment (1996-2005)

MGM - MGM Home Entertainment

MGM/CBS Home Video (1980-1982)
MGM/UA Home Video (1982-1998)
MGM Home Entertainment (1998-2005)

20th Century Home Entertainment

Magnetic Video Corporation (1977-1981)
20th Century Fox Video (1981-1982)
CBS/Fox Video (1982-1995)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (1995–2020)

Paramount Home Media Distribution
 
Paramount Home Video (1979-1999)
Paramount Video / Home Entertainment (1999-2005)
Paramount Home Media Distribution (2011-2019)







Home Entertainment Companies

Paramount

Paramount Home Entertainment (1976–present)
Nickelodeon Home Entertainment (1993–present)
MTV Home Entertainment (1994–present)
Comedy Central Home Entertainment (1998–present)
Miramax Home Entertainment (1992–2010)
Miramax/Dimension Home Entertainment (1995–2006)
Republic Pictures Home Video (1985–1998)
NTA Home Entertainment (1983-1985)
Spotlight Video (1984–1986)
Worldvision Home Video (1982–1995)
CBS Video Enterprises (1979–1982)
MGM/CBS Home Video (1980–1982)
CBS/Fox Video (1982–2001)
CBS Video (1980–2006)

Warner

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (1978–present)
BBC Home Entertainment (2000–2017)
New Line Home Entertainment (2001–2010)
New Line Home Video (1991–2001)
Thorn EMI Video (1981–1985)
Thorn EMI/HBO Video ( 1985–1986)
HBO/Cannon Video (1986–1987)
HBO Video (1987–2010)
Karl Lorimar Home Video (1985–1989)
MGM (1990–1999)
Turner Home Entertainment (1986–1996)
Hanna-Barbera Home Video (1987–1993)
PBS Distribution (1994–2004)
WarnerVision Entertainment (1995–2002)
KidVision (1990–2004)
Discovery Home Entertainment Video (1987–present)
TLC Video (1972–present)
Animal Planet Video (1983–present)


Disney

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (1978–2024)
Pixar (1996–present)
ABC Video (1997–1999)
Buena Vista Home Entertainment (1983–2010)
Touchstone Home Entertainment (1984–2016)
Hollywood Pictures Home Entertainment (1990–2007)
DIC Toon-Time Video (1994–2000, US only)
ESPN Home Entertainment (1997–present)
Jim Henson Video (1993–1996)
Magnetic Video (1968–1982)
CBS/Fox Video (1982–2001)
Playhouse Video (1985–1990)
Key Video (1984–2005)
FoxVideo (1991–1998)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (1995–2020)
BBC Home Entertainment (1985–2000)
New World Video (1984–1989)
MTM Home Video (1992–1997)
Miramax Home Entertainment (1994–2010)
Miramax/Dimension Home Entertainment (1995–2006)
Dimension Home Entertainment (1995–2005)
Muppet Home Video (1983–1985, US only)

Sony

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2004–present)
Sony Video Software (1979–1992)
Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment (1978–1982)
RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1982–1991)
Columbia TriStar Home Video (1991–2001)
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001–2004)
Funimation/Crunchyroll, LLC (1994–present)
Nozomi Entertainment (1987–present)
MTV Home Video (1994–present)
Sony Wonder (1992–2020)
Nickelodeon Home Video (1993–1996)
Golden Books Family Entertainment (1998-2001)
Random House Home Video (1985–2006)
Children's Television Workshop (1995–2000)
Sesame Workshop (2000-2007)
Classic Media (2000–2007)
BMG Video (1987–2008)
BMG Kidz (1990–2008)

Comcast
 
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (1996–present)
MCA DiscoVision (1977–1981)
MCA Videocassette, Inc. ( 1980–1983)
MCA Videodisc (1981–1983)
MCA Home Video ( 1983–1990)
MCA/Universal Home Video (1990–1996)
NBC Home Video (1981–2000)
USA Home Entertainment (1999–2002)
PolyGram Video (1982–1999)
DreamWorks Home Entertainment (1997–present)
DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment (2004–present)
Golden Book Video (1985–1996)
Golden Books Family Entertainment (1996-2001)
Classic Media (2000–2012)

Lionsgate

Lionsgate Home Entertainment (1999–2024)
Summit Entertainment (1991–present)
Artisan Entertainment (1983–2005)
(Formerly U.S.A. Home Video, International Video Entertainment, Inc. and Live Entertainment)
Family Home Entertainment (1980–2007)
Family Home Entertainment Kids (1998–2004)
FHE Pictures (2002)
Live Entertainment
International Video Entertainment
Carolco Home Video (1990–1995)
Avid Home Entertainment (1991–1998)
Vestron Video (1982–1992)
Children's Video Library (1982–1989)
Lightning Video (1982–1989)
Anchor Bay Entertainment (1995–2017)
Starmaker Entertainment (1988–1998)
R&G Video (1990–1998)
Video Treasures (1985–1998)
Strand VCI Entertainment (1989-1992)
Strand Home Video (1992–1995)
Burbank Video II (1989–1995)
SRO Video (1981–1982)
Opening Night Productions (1982–1984)
Curtain Call Video (1984–1985)
Viking Video Classics (1985–1989)
Troy Gold (1988–1989)
Burbank Video I (1983–1989)


MGM

MGM Home Entertainment ( 1998–present)
MGM Home Video (1978–1980)
MGM/CBS Home Video (1980–1982)
MGM/UA Home Video (1982–1998)
MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1998-2005)
Cannon Video (1985–1995)
Embassy Home Entertainment (1982–1998)
Samuel Goldwyn Home Entertainment (1982–1997)
Orion Home Video (1987–1998)
Filmways Home Video (1988–1989)
Streamline Video (1990–1994)
Warner Reprise Video (1986–present)
Rhino Entertainment (1978–present)

Others

Heron Communications
Media Home Entertainment (1978–1993)
Hi-Tops Video (1984–1993)
The Nostalgia Merchant (1978–1989)
Fox Hills Video (1986–1989)
Taurus Entertainment (1981–present)
PBS Distribution (1977–present)
2 Entertain (1984–present)
Buena Vista Home Video (after 1993)
WGBH Boston Video (1980–present)
Random House Home Video (1983–2006)
Golden Books Family Entertainment (1985–2001)
Wizard Video (1980–present)
Viz Video (1993–present)
HIT Entertainment ( 1998–2016)
Lyrick Studios (1988–2001)
Shout! Factory (2002–present)
Geffen Home Video (1992–1998)
Genius Products (1996–2011)
Hemdale Home Video (1991–1995)
Fries Home Video
Maxell
The Criterion Collection
Image Entertainment
Time Life Video
New Video Group (1991–present)
Monterey Home Video
Broad Green Pictures
Prism Entertainment (1983–1997)

Public Domain Companies

Simitar Entertainment (1985–2000)
GoodTimes Entertainment (1984-2005)
Kids Klassics Home Video (1985–1996)
GTK, Inc. (1987–1990)
California Video Distributors (1984–1986)
Sterling Entertainment Group (1992–2006)
VidAmerica (1979–1992)
UAV Corporation (1984–1998)
Gorgon Video
Celebrity Home Entertainment (1987–2001)
Celebrity Video (1985–1987)
Unicon Communications (1989–1992)
Vee-Jay Video Products (1986–1989)
Concord Video (1985–1987)
Burbank Video (1985–1994)
Troy Gold (1988–1989)
Diamond Entertainment Corporation (1991–present)
Trans-Atlantic Video (1985–1991)
Madacy Entertainment (1993–2007)
MPI Home Video (1984–present)
New Age Video (1985–1991)

1. The “Product Research” tab on your Ebay seller page gives 3 years of searchable/sortable Ebay sales history instead of the mere three months of sales history offered by selecting “SOLD” listings when sorting results.

2. Use auction figures before BIN prices as a reference for better accuracy when available. Anything can be put on Ebay by an unknowing seller at a low price and quickly snapped up, but that is not a fair representation of value.

3. If uncertain about any part of a deal, contact a more experienced collector before buying something.

4. When using PayPal, never agree to a deal where you are sending money by means of “Friends and Family”. Always set your PayPal payments to purchases as to take advantage of the heavy buyer protection PayPal offers.

5. Make sure to set your saved searches for your most wanted items and receive notifications from marketplaces such as Ebay.

6. Get creative and use Boolean search terms on Google to find sites or images related to your want list.

7. A polite and friendly message can do wonders in lowering a price for you.

8. Be creative in your searches, there are overseas Ebay sites and low SEO online shops if you want to jump down those rabbit holes.

9. The box packaging and artwork date alone might not accurately date your VHS unless it is a verified first print, depending on several other factors, including watermark presence, color, placement etc.

10. Send a thank you message to a seller after buying a coveted item; a little kindness can discourage back-dooring and help develop a potentially fruitful relationship with a seller.

11. Make sure to ask a seller what else they have that they haven’t listed if they seem to have items you are interested in- this is a great way to make a deal before having to compete with other buyers.

12. To find a ton of information about VHS releases/distributors for any given film, google the name of the film, “IMDB” and “Company credits”. This will take you to a back end under the paywall IMDB page with (some incomplete) lists of US and international distribution companies and years of distribution.

13. Be skeptical and cautious about ungraded tapes as a starting point then match characteristics to find whether it has a probability of being legitimate.

14. You can book messaging/chat time with the author and contributors involved in creating this guide if you have question stat the guide doesn’t answer or a specific concern about a VHS or BETA

15. When buying BETA, check the edges for drill holes- these will lower your grade drastically. These are an example of “Remainder Marks”.

16. Be aware of the modernity of your target- certain VHS and especially modern releases had some huge production numbers. I.E, Jurassic Park first prints are cool tapes, but I could go on Ebay any day of the week and buy one for $25. At least as we stand in 2025.

17. Warner stopped using Silver Security stickers after 1986, beginning in 1987 even wraparound first prints have WHV seals under the wrap.

18. White CBS Fox Watermarks are earlier than Blue

19. Later Magnetic Videos can have MVC watermarks or 20th Century Fox watermarks.

20. Many times, the first release of a VHS will come a year after the theatrical release of the movie.

21. More Color Variants:
a. Blue Tape - The Firm VHS
b. Red Tape - Sliver
c. Green Tape - Indecent Proposal

22. Generally, Beta copies have the same first print characteristics as VHS

23. Approximate Known Number of Sealed Copies of VHS Horror Grails
a. 1982 - Wizard - Texas Chainsaw Massacre First Print VHS (1)
b. 1982 - The Thing – MCA First Print VHS (1)
c. 1979 - WCI - The Exorcist - First Print VHS (1)
d. 1980 - Jaws - MCA First Print (1-2)
e. 1978 - Halloween - MEDA First Print (0)
f. 1985 - Silver-Back Media WM- Nightmare on Elm Street First Print (3)
g. 1985 - Spanish-Subtitled - Nightmare on Elm First Print (6)
h. 1981 - HarmonyVision - The Hills Have Eye First Print (0)
i. 1980 - The Omen - Magnetic First Print (2)
j. Eraserhead RCA double stack Gatefold First Print (1)
k. Friday the 13th - 1980 - Gatefold First Print VHS (0)
l. 1983 - Jaws – VHS w/ MCA wrap with two-tone tape and etch (1)

24. Karate Kid First Prints say Hi-Fi, but not Hi-Fi Stereo on the bottom right corner of the box.

25. VHA & BETA SHIPPING TIPS - Request a box when you are the recipient, use one if sending. Use a little tape and tons of bubble wrap. Pack it so there isn’t much wiggle room, with plenty of padding and using a box of sound structure.

26. Hardcover plastic protective case? Some people swear by them, but the edges can be sharp, and they are shoddily made- introducing the chance of damaging your VHS or BETA.

27. Often, CIB second prints do not have trailers on the tapes when viewing.

28. All Ghostbusters first prints have both Double Stack RCA WM and a Raised Ghost.

29. The Earliest Thorn EMI tapes have Japanese etching and are known a “Nationals”.

30. MGM/UA Tapes with a top-center logo come after the top-right logo placement.

1. How do I accurately date my VHS?

Locate the packaging/artwork date instead of the copyright- this will at least give you the actual date of the VHS box release. If you are trying to date a sealed copy that is dateless, go on Ebay and find an open copy and the packaging date should be included inside. If not included at all, use our visual style guide fort approximate dating. Remember, that a 1980 box can contain a much later print, and these are usually indicated by watermarks, hype stickers and other attributes that signal a later release.

2. Where can I buy VHS?

Ebay
Mercari
Amazon
Auction Houses
Facebook Groups
Instagram Pages
Thrift and Vintage Stores
Estate Sales and yard/tag sales
Private Collectors
Facebook Marketplace
Etsy
Offerup

3. Does every movie have a first print?

No, while many of the biggest tapes have defined first prints, beginning in the late 80s and continuing to modern VHS, production runs grew but prints fell, meaning that there are consensus first prints on many of the hobby’s giants but not many modern prints. One example is the 1989 Batman tape; there are about nine variants, and they were made in different factories with different wraps all over the country, so it is impossible to pinpoint a first print. In those cases, there are usually defined prints that are the most desirable. For the 1989 Batman, that would be the wrap-around and two screening cassette issues. Rumors persist that the front chain watermark was first, but until there is a consensus, I can’t state that without reservation.

4. What is more valuable: VHS or BETA?

VHS has generally held a higher perceived value than Beta, although some VHS films are rarer on Beta. Beta sales have exceeded those of VHS in some cases although collectors prefer a VHS version to BETA if given the choice. Some movies have been discovered on Beta, but no sealed VHS copies have been located.

5. What is a reseal and how do I spot one?

A reseal is a VHS or Beta that has been opened and stripped of its factory seal, then had a new seal applied by a third party. Some of these are distributor/store reseals and not created to mislead, while others are purposeful fakes of a factory seal.

a. Look for third party price stickers UNDER a factory seal. Not possible.

b. Look for damage under the plastic where there is no damage to the plastic.

c. On clamshells, look for sticker seals that have been moved, leaving adhesive residue nearby from the original positioning.

d. Message another collector or a grading company on Instagram and see if they have an opinion.

e. No VHS that I am aware of has ever been shrink sealed by a factory

f. Look for vent holes in the seal, circular or ovular cutouts that release the pressure under the seal. These are factory markers.



6. What’s earlier, blue or white watermarks on CBS/Fox tapes?

White watermarks precede blue ones on CBS/Fox Tapes


7. What was the first VHS ever released?

The first US commercial VHS release was Magnetic Video’s 1977 print of “Hello Dolly” (catalog number 1001). There was a 1976 South Korean VHS of the film “The Young Teacher”, but the ’77 Hello Dolly is widely held to be the real prize here.


8. What was the last VHS ever made?

The last commercial release is the 2005 VHS “A History of Violence”. The last domestic exclusive release of the VHS era was 2007’s DMC exclusive “Cars”. “Cars” and the late DMC print of “The Little Mermaid” are the only two VHS made in 2007. There are no VHS (beside from custom and specialty editions) domestic releases after those.


9. What was the first BETA ever made?

The first US commercial BETA release was Magnetic Video’s 1977 print of “Hello Dolly” (catalog number 1001).


10. What was the last BETA ever made?

1996’s Mission Impossible was the final Betamax release.


11. What is the first print of Batman (1989)?

There is no consensus first print, but the most desirable prints are the wrap around and two versions of screeners. *Rumors persist that the front chain watermark was first, but until there is a consensus, I can’t state that without reservation.


12. What is a First Print?

A first print is the earliest release of a movie on VHS or Beta. It is not just a year, or a watermark, but a collection of attributes that research and consensus have determined to be indicative of the first release.



12. What is a Street Date First Print?

There are experienced collectors databasing certain tapes that have subtle differences between first prints and first prints from the VERY beginning of production. One such tape is Back to the Future, which has a variant die cut version and a slightly differently watermarked street date variant. Two more are Nightmare on Elm Street- and the 1982 Silver tab-lock ‘The Thing’ First Print. The street date first print is just a first print - but with the added perk of earliest production indications. VERY few tapes have a consensus/legitimate street-date first print, and this has not become a common hobby term yet.


13. Is a tape a first print if there is also a version of it with a Scotch sticker?

The Scotch sticker doesn’t always directly correlate to production order and is NOT a consensus first print attribute.


14. Is this Star Wars 1984 with vertical white CBS/Fox Watermarks a “First Print of 1984”?

No. Such a phrase is meaningless. VHS tapes have a single first release- in the given example, the 1982 Big Box first commercial release of Star Wars is the first print and the 1984 print is just a subsequent release. It may have characteristics that make it early for its release, but it is NOT a first print by any means.


15. Should I collect CIB, Sealed, or both?

Collect what you like; that’s the safest way to play. Sealed VHS and Beta carry huge premiums over CIB issues of the same print. For example, the first BETA print of Superman has sold for 15 to 40,000 dollars while CIB issues of the same WCI first print carry maybe a 100-dollar price tag. Conversely, there are some promotional items and other rarities that have known CIB copies, but no known sealed copies, such as the 1986 Back to the Future MCA screening cassette or the 2008 ‘The Dark Knight’ VHS Electronic Press Kit promo.


16. Are international prints valued as highly as NTSC US prints?

No, there is a sizable niche market for cool foreign releases, but they currently carry much less of a price tag than their US counterparts unless the movie was originally released in that country. Some video game VHS are from Japan and carry the same or a higher premium than US versions if they are earlier and from the country of origin. Be aware that many foreign first prints come a year, or multiple years, after the US versions.

17. Is the FHE (pizza hut sticker and turtle watermarks) or the Alliance version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the first print?

They are both first prints. The FHE Pizza Hut is the US first print, and Alliance is the Canadian first print.


18. Is “X, Y and Z” a first print?

Check out our visual style guides and “Most Wanted” list of desirable VHS and Beta for help matching first print traits, which differ by the film, distributor and release.




19. What do I do if I receive a damaged item?

If you receive a damaged item from a seller in the US, law dictates that he or she is responsible for the package until you take receipt of it. Take pictures and contact the seller, then PayPal, then your payment source or bank as a last resort to recover your money. If dealing with a PayPal problem, do not write or chat- call to get a human on the phone- the makes success a much higher likelihood.

Do:

1. Do Check seller feedback and seller rating before purchasing on marketplace platforms.

2. Do Consult more experienced VHS collectors if unsure

3. Do Post your VHS acquisitions on social media and tag other collectors and verified grading companies

4. Do Display and enjoy your collection!

5. Do Contact sellers on Ebay to politely correct them when they mis-list VHS or write ‘first print’ inappropriately.

6. Do join some VHS Facebook groups and mingle.

7. Do make offers even if you feel like they may be a bit low- the worst thing that happens is that you get ignored. It may spark a conversation leading to a price reduction and it may even be accepted. Try not to make INSULTINGLY low offers; this can cut off contact with a seller.

8. Do actively and aggressively pursue refunds through PayPal or your credit card company if you’ve received a tape that is in any way unlike the listing or description/pictures.

9. Do be creative in collecting and think about where the unearthed gems may be.

10. Do buy what you like- you cannot lose that way.

11. Grade your valuable tapes for protection, guaranteed authenticity and a condition grade!

12. Do connect with other collectors for team-ups, trades and combined sales- expand your VHS network!

13. Do Be VERY skeptical of new sellers, or ones without feedback.




DO NOT:

1. Do not buy graded VHS from defunct grading companies!!

The tape is as good as ungraded, potentially fake, possibly damaged and probably mis-graded. A tape graded by a defunct company should be treated with harsh skepticism and as (at best) a raw VHS.

2. Do not list a VHS as a first print if you are not 100% certain and have checked with an expert.

3. Do not backdoor (see Glossary) buyers on any marketplace.

4. Do not trust a seller’s claim of “first print” - do your research and get independent confirmation.

5. Do not misrepresent any aspect of a sale item

6. Do not list recent comps to a seller to prove their price wrong- just make a polite offer.

7. Do not leave negative feedback for a seller or buyer unless absolutely necessary.

8. Do not attack a collector for their preference of CIB, sealed or graded items.

9. Do not list comparables to sellers from sales involving defunct grading companies.

10. Do not spend too much time viewing sold listings and lamenting missed opportunities.

11. Do not jump too far down a rabbit hole without proper research. You may be loading up on items that you’ll have no use for if you start getting into new ideas for tiny niche opportunities.

12. Do not try and remove a price or hype sticker to achieve what looks like an earlier print- they are ten steps ahead of you and the subterfuge won’t be appreciated.

13. Do not berate a seller for a price- they can price their stuff at whatever they like. Make an offer or send a kind note to see what their best is, or how low they are willing to go.

14. Never sell a tape that you know is counterfeit or resealed even if you say so in the listing. The new buyer might then sell it to an unsuspecting collector as an original. Best to get them out of the market if they can’t be returned for a refund.

15. Do not plagiarize from other’s sale listings, it’s obvious and make you look bad.

16. Be very careful when using a listing template of someone else’s because just because your tape looks like theirs a bit, don’t mean it’s the exact same print or issue. “I just copied it from another seller” is NOT an excuse for listing fraudulent information.

1. The seller makes suspicious/grandiose claims or statements

2. Lack of proven track record as a seller

3. Wants you to pay family and friends or another method that has no recourse for fraud

4. Wants to meet in person to do a cash deal

5 Has too much of a good thing: a suspicious amount of top end duplicates available for sale is cause for alarm.

6. Listen to more experienced collectors when they warn you about sellers. There have been bad actors in every collectible genre and seasoned hobbyists will tell you exactly who to avoid.

7. Uses defunct or off-brand grading companies

8. Has problems with multiple other VHS collectors; he may be nice to you, but this kind of situation usually ends for you the same way it did for the 8 guys who already hate the seller.

9. Make a list of suspicious (or worse) sellers, with your reasoning, to remember whom not to buy from. Also, this helps other collectors when you give them a cautious heads up about questionable sellers.

10. The seller has multiple Ebay accounts.

11. Avoid if you have been warned about a seller by other trustworthy collectors.

Top VHS and BETA Sales

Heritage Auctions 25 Highest VHS and BETA Sales

25 VHS

1. Back To The Future FP VHS $75,000
2. The Goonies Wrap VHS $50,000
3. The Thing FP VHS $37,500
4. 1983 Drawer Box Star Wars VHS $32,500
5. Jaws 1983 Wraparound $32,500
6. Rocky 1982 FP VHS $27,500
7. Star Wars 1982 FP VHS $23,750
8. Ghostbusters Double Stack VHS $23,750
9. First Blood Second Print VHS $22,500
10, 1984 Star Wars Early Markings $22,500
11. Return of The Living Dead Thorn VHS $18,750
12. The Goonies Wrap VHS $17,500
13. Top Gun Pepsi Promo VHS $17,500
14. Jaw 1983 Wrap VHS $17,500
15 Rocky 1982 FP VHS $15,000
16. Gremlin Wrap $15,000
17. Nightmare On Elm Street Second Print VHS $15,000
18. Halloween 2 1981 VHS $15,000
19. Rocky III Drawer Box $13,750
20. 1981 Print- Halloween VHS $13,750
21. Rocky 2 FP 1982 VHS $12,500
22. A Nightmare On Elm Street FP VHS $11,875
23. 1983 Print- Caddyshack VHS $10,625
24. The Terminator FP $10,625
25. Teen Wolf FP VHS $10,625

25 Betamax

1 Superman FP Betamax $40,000
2. Halloween Second Print Betamax $22,500
3. Superman FP Betamax $15,000
4. Goonies Betamax $13,750
5. Halloween Second Print Betamax $9,375
6. The Godfather FP Betamax $8,750
7. 1985 A Nightmare on Elm Street FP Betamax $8,125
8. Ghostbusters Double Stack Betamax $8,125
9. Alien UK Magnetic Betamax $5,750
10. Frankenstein 1980 MCA Betamax $5,000
11. Jaws 2 1980 Canadian Betamax $4,250
12. Back To The Future FP Betamax $4,000
13. First Blood Beta FP Betamax $3,250
14. Gremlins Wrap Betamax $3,250
15. Ghostbusters Double Stack $3,250
16. 1984 Print- Texas Chainsaw Massacre Betamax $3,125
17. Making OF Star Wars Magnetic Betamax $3,000
18. Making of Star Wars Magnetic Betamax $3,000
19. Blade Runner Embassy Fade Betamax $2,750
20. Risky Business FP Betamax $2,750
21. Ghostbusters Double Stack Betamax $2,750
22. Raiders of The Lot Ark FP Betamax $2,500
23. Karate Kid Double Stack Betamax $2,500
24. Teen Wolf Double Stack Betamax $2,500
25. Mission Impossible- The Last Betamax $2,375


Goldin Auctions Highest VHS and BETA Sales

VHS

1. Star Wars 1982 FP VHS $114,000
2. Star Wars 1982 Print VHS $48,000
3. Raiders of The Lost Ark FP VHS $21,600
4. Karate Kid Double Stack VHS $19,800
5. Halloween 1979 Second Print VHS $18,300
6. Back To The Future FP VHS $17,461
7. Back To The Future FP VHS $16,230
8. Return of the Jedi FP VHS $14,400
9. Rocky 2 Drawer Box $13,200
10. First Blood FP VHS $12,300
11. Jaws 1983 Wrap VHS $11,852
12. The Empire Strikes Back FP VHS $11,400
13. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre FP VHS $10,200
14. Top Gun Pepsi Promo $9,600
15.TMNT Gold Stamp Variant VHS $6,600




Betamax

1. Ghostbusters Double Stack FP Betamax $5,185
2. Friday The 13th FP Betamax $4,920
3. 1982 First Blood Betamax $4,575
4. 1982 FP Conan The Barbarian Betamax $4,380
5. Alien Magnetic Betamax $3,900

Private Sales

VHS

1. Godfather 1979 Double Long Box FP VHS $45,000
2. Terminator FP Thorn EMI VHS $32,500
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street FP VHS $24,000
4. The Exorcist WCI FP VHS $15,000
5. Jaws 1983 Wrap $14,000
6. Jaws 2 MCA FP VHS $7,000
7. Pink Floyd: The Wall FP VHS $6,000

Academy Screeners
4,000-6,000 Academy Voters between 1990 - 2010.
Between 1990–2010, typically fewer than 5,000 FYC screeners were made per film.
Most voters opened and watched their tapes — this was pre-streaming, after all!
Today, it’s believed that there might be fewer than 100 sealed copies left of many '90s and early 2000s FYC VHS tapes
These once-functional industry tools are now rare collectibles — unique pieces of Hollywood history tied to all manner of films.
Promo / Demo Screeners
At its peak in the late 1980s to early 1990s, there were around 70,000 to 80,000 VHS rental stores in the United States.
For mainstream titles (especially comedies, action films, or family movies expected to perform well in rentals), studios produced enough screeners to:
Reach every video rental store (chains + independents).
Cover sales reps, distributors, and promotional partners.
Demo screeners were meant to be opened and watched by store owners.
Many were discarded, heavily used, or had "void" stickers applied after viewing.
Very few were kept sealed since they weren’t considered collectibles at the time.



Not every rental store received a demo screener—they were typically sent to select video rental chains, major independent stores, and distributors as promotional tools.

Here’s how it usually worked:
    •    Major Chains like Blockbuster or Hollywood Video were often prioritized.
    •    Regional distributors received demo screeners to share with their top-performing rental clients.
    •    Independent stores might get one if they had strong relationships or sales volume.
    •    Quantities were limited, often one per store, sometimes shared between locations.

These tapes were for previewing films before deciding how many retail copies to stock for rental. That scarcity, plus labels like “For Rental Only,” “Not for Sale,” or “Property of…”, is part of why they’ve become collectible today.

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