The television history of The Walking Dead is being sliced, preserved, and encased in Lucite acrylic for a new crowdfunding campaign launching today. AMC Global Media has officially partnered with Fairfax, Virginia-based Mini Museum to release a limited-edition, 32-specimen collection of authenticated screen-used props, costumes, and set pieces from the long-running zombie survival programme.
Running on Kickstarter until 4 June 2026, the campaign seeks to democratise high-end prop collecting, a hobby traditionally restricted to private auctions. For a primary pledge tier of $499, fans secure a numbered display containing tangible fragments of the show’s 11-season run. The production run is strictly limited to 5,000 units worldwide.
The curated selection reads like a forensic audit of the show’s most memorable and brutal moments. Embedded within the clear acrylic are fragments of Rick Grimes’ stunt cowboy boots, a slice of Michonne’s katana, and soil from the clearing where the Saviours lined up Rick’s group. Fans will also find pieces of Negan‘s infamous baseball bat, “Lucille”, and a cross-section of a crossbow bolt used in the transatlantic spin-off series, Daryl Dixon. Notably, the “Walker Blood” specimen is not merely red paint; it is the official formula mixed explicitly for this project by legendary special effects artist Greg Nicotero and his KNB EFX Group.
For UK collectors and our local readership, bringing the apocalypse home carries a steep logistical premium. Backers in the UK face a $25 flat shipping rate, compounded by an estimated 30% in duties and taxes upon arrival. Furthermore, direct shipping is entirely blocked for several territories, including Brazil, India, Iran, Russia, and South Africa, forcing fans in those regions to rely on third-party freight forwarding. But! It’s still tempting, right? A once in a (un)life time!
To understand the immense logistical and technical challenges of archiving a pop-culture juggernaut, Geek Native spoke directly with the team at Mini Museum.
The Launch & Logistics
We are fascinated by the sheer scale of this collaboration! How did the initial conversations with AMC materialise, and what unique logistical hurdles did you face when securing 32 distinct, screen-used props from such a heavily guarded network archive?
AMC contacted us directly to explore the possibility of sharing production-used objects with fans in a more accessible format. They loved the way we’ve connected collectors and enthusiasts with science and history, and the deep respect we have for the tiniest details (sometimes literally tiny!). So, it was really about becoming partners in exploring the rich history of this important franchise. Access to the archives came as part of that partnership. In fact, AMC has selected all of the objects in the collection!
Mini Museum has a wonderful legacy with historical and scientific artefacts. In what way does bringing licensed television props into the fold represent a new era for you, and why was The Walking Dead the perfect universe for this exciting first step?
That’s very kind of you to say. We really love what we do. We see our partnership with The Walking Dead and AMC as an extension of the work we are already doing in sharing stories of human history. The key difference here is working together closely with the source. Typically, we’re exploring as outsiders ourselves.
This is different and incredibly enriching, but it’s also a natural fit for us in many ways. The Walking Dead is a show that deals with far more than just the surface-level events. It’s about human connections and struggles. It’s about questioning and finding your place in the universe when everything seems so chaotic. This is very similar to the way we explore many topics across human history, space, and time.
The Science of Preservation
The fandom for this show is famously passionate and eagle-eyed. When dealing with legendary items like Michonne’s katana or Rick Grimes’s boots, how do you trace and document the provenance to ensure absolute authenticity for such a dedicated collector base?
Incredible question and central to what we do. Provenance isn’t just a word for us, it’s a promise. The nature of our work changes every object that we touch. So, when we put our name on the certificate it’s because we’re guaranteeing the object is the same. As items come into our workshop, they are carefully photographed for archival purposes. Every angle and detail is captured. We also take physical measurements of all sorts. As we prepare items for inclusion, we continue that process. In fact, we’ll be sharing those details on the campaign page as well as the project progresses. From our perspective, every object in our collection is precious and the same thing goes for the items AMC has entrusted to our care.
Our goal is always to love and respect these objects in the same way that fans might revere them, but also to take it a step further, since stewardship of the collection is temporary. Ultimately, each object will go to homes around the world and be kept as cherished possessions for decades and generations to come. That might seem a little intense, but that’s how we approach each and every object.
Working with everything from aged leather to wood and metal must be a fascinating scientific puzzle. What specific engineering or chemical challenges arise when embedding such varied materials into hand-cast Lucite, and how do you ensure the longevity of these remarkable specimens?
Oh my! This is so true. A Mini Museum isn’t a single project. It’s actually dozens of projects all wrapped up in one. Each object has its own unique challenges, and no two pieces are alike, no matter how many common traits they share. Metals may have gone through different treatments or might be composed of unique alloys. Garments often seem simple, but their construction and materials vary so widely.
There’s constant testing to make sure these items will survive the intense heat and pressure of acrylic embedment. Then there’s the actual design and preparation of each object. A lot of math goes into that step, along with artistic choices about shapes and colors. I think people would be surprised to learn about the technology we use, too. We employ all sorts of things, like aerospace-grade adhesives and truly cutting-edge techniques to preserve as much material as possible while protecting it for display.
Eleven seasons of incredible television lore is a staggering amount of ground to cover! How did you formulate the criteria to whittle the sprawling, blood-soaked history of the programme down to just 32 defining objects?
In this case, we were incredibly lucky to work with The Walking Dead production team. They selected an incredible range of objects, but they were also open to additional items as well when we presented our own views. We ended up with a list of 32 items that touched on each season of the show. With a series like The Walking Dead, we knew it would be critical to include something from everyone’s favorite character and story moment. Truly a great collaboration.
On our end, we rewatched the entire series and compiled detailed notes as we’ll be writing a companion guidebook to go along with the collection. This helped us identify gaps in “the grid,” which is what we call the layout of the museum.
Fandom & The Industry
Geek culture frequently navigates the tension between affordable entry points and hyper-exclusive premium merchandise. With a limited run of 5,000 units, where do you see this project sitting within the current economic landscape of fandom, and how does it help democratise high-end collecting?
Many of us here at Mini Museum worked at ThinkGeek back in the day, so we’re very sensitive to this balance. You have to have big statement pieces, but you also have to have other objects that are accessible to every fan. This is a big part of what we do at Mini Museum, and really core to who we are. In addition to the acrylic collections, we will also have single objects available at different price points. There’s really going to be something for every fan of the show.
It must be quite surreal to carefully dismantle a piece of television history like Lucille! How do you balance the inherently destructive nature of fragmenting a screen-used prop with your foundational, archival desire to preserve it?
It absolutely is. We often talk about how expansive your perspective feels when working on these objects. Imagine for a moment, that you are holding a piece of another planet in your hand. Then imagine spending weeks looking at it under a microscope, thinking about its history. Think about what it might feel Iike to know that all that careful work is in service to sharing this object and experience with thousands of people around the world. That is really what it’s like to work at Mini Museum.
With the objects from The Walking Dead the feeling is very much the same. Holding Lucille and knowing you’re going to share it with fans around the world is a humbling experience. We can also do this in large part because it is not the only one. Every production has multiples of key assets. It isn’t infinite, mind you, but you’re not dealing with one of one. That’s a big part of why Mini Museum’s mission works. We share authentic, precious objects that only a few people can afford to own while also doing our level best to do so responsibly.
Kickstarter is increasingly home to massive intellectual properties. As a passionate boutique creator, how do you ensure a campaign like this stands out on the exquisite physical merits of the Mini Museum rather than just relying on the power of the AMC brand?
This is a pretty interesting challenge. We’ve been around since 2014, and in our little world we sometimes forget that there are lots of people who don’t know who we are or even what a Mini Museum actually is. When working with larger brands and concepts, we often spend time explaining who we are and what we do. But one thing we have is a passionate community of our own and we know that they’ll also come and provide support. That kind of shared passion is contagious and so I think it helps us enormously. What we do is real, and it has been for more than a decade. Plus, they look really cool. :D
Pledge Tiers & Availability
If you are looking to secure your own piece of the undead apocalypse, the campaign offers several entry points ranging from standalone objects to the comprehensive display:
- $19 (Sheriff’s Deputy): A single fragment from Rick Grimes‘ boots mounted on an authenticated collector card.
- $39 (Walker): A stainless steel vial pendant filled with the Walker Blood formula.
- $89 (Warrior): A glass-topped display case housing a katana slice and a fragment of Michonne‘s glove.
- $499 (Featured Mini Museum): The complete 32-specimen acrylic display, companion guidebook, and certificate of authenticity.
- $539 (TWDMM + Display Stand): The full 32-item museum paired with a custom LED display stand.
- $799 (Survivor’s Stash): An all-in pledge that bundles everything offered in the campaign at an exclusive discount.
The Human Connection
At Geek Native, we talk endlessly about immersion in tabletop roleplaying games, specifically how tactile objects ground players in a fictional world. How do you believe owning a genuine physical piece of The Walking Dead alters a fan’s psychological relationship with a universe they love?
It’s one thing to talk about dinosaurs, but it’s another to hold an actual fossil tooth in your hand. This is a truly human experience and everyone feels it instinctively. If you’re playing a game with dice and minis, you know that feeling too. This is the power of the human mind, but it’s also a reminder that we are physical beings too.
The Walking Dead Mini Museum is certain to be a powerful experience for fans, since they’re literally holding the entire series in their hand. That can mean memories of the show and the characters, but also their personal memories of how they watched the show and with whom. We hear this sort of thing all the time from people in the Mini Museum community.
You have both handled some truly astonishing pieces of history over the years. What was the most emotionally resonant, or perhaps entirely surprising, item you had the privilege to handle while preparing this specific collection?
For me (this is Jamie), it has to be the objects associated with Rick Grimes, and of those objects, I’d say the boots more than anything else. It’s just such a personal object, and it represents the real physical struggle of the journey. When the show first aired, I was about the same age as Rick, and the struggles of a man, a father, and husband in the face of so many challenges really resonated deeply with me.
We absolutely love the concept of a “handheld museum.” In what ways do you hope this collection changes the broader community conversation around what constitutes a valid, meaningful personal collection in modern pop culture?
I hope it opens up the possibility of access to a broader base of fans. So many objects in the world of collectibles have become unattainable. They are financially and physically out of reach. A personal museum like this changes the dynamics. It democratizes ownership and allows people to share their passions with others. In the big picture, this brings us back to people connecting with each other, which is really what culture is all about. I also hope that our careful work helps people see a different path to connecting with cultural icons. This is more than just cool merchandise. It’s a direct connection to the source.
Beyond backing the campaign when the embargo lifts on the 5th of May, how can our readers best follow the brilliant, ongoing preservation work you and your team are doing, and are there any adjacent community causes you would like to champion today?
Our campaigns are very different than most. We post long updates detailing the process of preparation. We’re very open about successes and challenges. So I think the best way to keep up to date is to follow the project on Kickstarter. If our broader mission of interest, I’d recommend signing up for our email newsletter.
With respect to larger causes, I’d encourage everyone to get out and visit a local museum, no matter how small. In fact, the smaller the better. Don’t just walk through either; talk to people entrusted with caring for the objects. Take people with you too! Museums might seem like places where things go on display behind glass, but the whole buildings are alive with stories of the past. Connecting with those stories is how we improve our sense of place in the world and make it a better place.
Fans of history and pop culture alike can browse the creator’s wider catalogue of scientific and historical artefacts at the Mini Museum shop or examine the full array of undead specimens directly on their crowdfunding page.
Quick Links
- Kickstarter: Back this Campaign
- Visit the Mini Museum
