By the late 1980s and early 1990s such fare hit the mainstream, with major auction houses building entertainment memorabilia departments.

FORBES: Starstruck Speculators

Check out collecting magazines such as Movie Collector's World (mcwonline.com) and follow the entertainment memorabilia auctions at the major auction houses and on Ebay.

FORBES: Starstruck speculators

Check out collecting magazines like Movie Collector's World magazine, mcwonline.com, and follow the entertainment memorabilia auctions at the major auction houses, the up-and-coming Howard Lowery Gallery in Burbank, Calif. and on Ebay.

FORBES: Starstruck Speculators

Watches of lesser quality that were owned by a star usually end up in the entertainment memorabilia department, rather than in the watch area, says Margaret Barrett, a specialist in Christie's entertainment memorabilia department.

FORBES: Slow Second Hand