Article Summary: A report on Rick Spector’s findings discussed on the Movie Prop Forum related to concerns of props and costumes consigned to Heritage Auction Galleries by L.A. Prop and Wardrobe being inauthentic.
Heritage Auction Galleries & L.A. Prop & Wardrobe
Heritage Auction Galleries (heritageauctiongalleries on eBay, HA.com company website) is an auction house based out of Dallas, Texas that held a live auction on April 14 & 15, including original props and wardrobe. Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars has reported some alarming findings in regards to pieces consigned in this event by L.A. Prop & Wardrobe Company.
About Heritage, in their own words:
Heritage, established in 1982, offers a wide range of Art, Fine Art, Antiques & Decorative Arts, Silver, Art Glass, and more. We acquire the most unique items of the highest quality by searching and networking throughout the world. Our goal is to provide our customers with the largest selection of high quality collectibles. We give our customers unprecedented access to our services using the latest advancements in technology and by maintaining a strong presence in the collectibles community. We will help our customers develop the best collections possible with the help of our knowledgeable staff and the Heritage suite of services. Visit us at http://www.HA.com/FineArt or by appointment.
Many of the original prop and wardrobe pieces offered at this recent (as well as previous) events included COAs from L.A. Prop & Wardrobe Company, formerly known as Hollywood Prop Supply.
Through research conducted by Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars, he questions the provenance and authenticity of those pieces.
Rick has outlined his concerns on the Movie Prop Forum in his topic, LA PROP, Totally Bogus, Documented Proof of Fraud.
One example he provides is lot 21134, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Top Hat Worn by Fred March
In monitoring vintage-era pieces on eBay, Rick had made archived a record of a completed auction of the same style hat – not remarkable in any way or noted as used in any film or television production – back in November, 2006 (eBay Item #280047580127) VINTAGE TOP HAT circa 1920’S – NO RESERVE
Of particular note is an examination of the photos from the two auctions:
The “Heritage/L.A. Prop” (April 2007) hat is on the left; the “eBay” (November 2006) hat is on the right.
Note that the “eBay” hat has initials and a gold embossed Masonic emblem below the DUNLAP & CO. logo; to the left of that, and positioned vertically, is a three line stamp.
Note that the “Heritage/L.A. Prop” hat has a matching DUNLAP & CO. logo, and the liner has been scraped in the areas corresponding to the exact places where the “eBay” hat had the custom markings. Further, to the top right of the area shown in the next comparison photo below, the stains on both still apparently match up:
Next is another comparison between the full liners; again, “Heritage/L.A. Prop” on the left, “eBay” on the right; below both on the bottom left is an overlay of the two labels – the “eBay” label/liner at 60% transparency over the “Heritage/L.A. Prop” label/liner. Of course, the two pieces were shot with different lens, under different lighting conditions, from different distances and at different angles…
Also of note is that in comparing the photos, some markings on the underside of the brim appear to match as well.
The “eBay” hat was purchased on eBay in November 2006 for $152.50. The “Heritage/L.A. Prop” hat sold this weekend through Heritage Auction Galleries for $6,500 (plus 22.5% buyer’s premium).
Rick says an additional 18 items were purchased on eBay prior to the auction that have corresponding pieces in this Heritage Auction Galleries event – all with L.A. Prop & Wardrobe Company COAs. Per Rick, the 19 items he identified sold collectively for $50,730 hammer.
As an aside, I did personally inquire with Heritage about the background of L.A. Prop & Wardrobe prior to the auction, with the exchange as follows (chronologically):
04/09/07
Hello,
I have some interest in some of your original movie prop and wardrobe pieces, but note that many are consigned from/have COAs issued by LA Prop Company. I have little information to go by as to who this organization is, though I have read some negatives about them on the Internet, which of course makes me hesitant to participate in your auctions.
Could you give me some information about LA Prop Company and why you have confidence in the provenance of their pieces? As far as I can recall, I don’t remember any of the other auction houses consigning any pieces from them.
I am particularly interested in the background on the Superman costume.
[edit – query pertaining to another consignor]
Thanks,
Jason De Bord
04/11/07
You can contact Billie Null at LA Prop and Wardrobe and he will be able to tell you how they obtain their props. His number is 601-[full number edited].
[edit – response pertaining to another consignor]
Thank you for your interest in Heritage Auction Galleries.
04/11/07
Hi Kristen,
Thank you for the phone number. As the auction house consigning the pieces, can you provide any material information in regards to who or what L.A. Prop and Wardrobe is, since the sole provenance you are providing on many of these pieces is a COA from this company? Obtaining information from the issuer of the COA and perspective from the auction house that has vetted them as an entity with authority to provide blanket authenticity on these pieces is two different propositions.
Thanks again,
Jason De Bord
I received no response to my follow-up questions.
As a side note, in reviewing the Heritage Auction Galleries Terms and Conditions of the auction, the following sections are of interest, in light of Rick’s concerns:
MEMORABILIA TERM B: When a memorabilia lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (or its equivalent) from an independent third-party authentication provider, Auctioneer does not warrant authenticity of that lot. Bidder shall solely rely upon warranties of the authentication provider issuing the Certificate or opinion.
MEMORABILIA TERM C: Bidders who intend to challenge authenticity or provenance of a lot must notify Auctioneer in writing within thirty-five (35) days of the Auction’s conclusion. Any claim as to provenance or authenticity must be first transmitted to Auctioneer by credible and definitive evidence or the opine of a qualified third party expert and there is no assurance after such presentment that Auctioneer will validate the claim. Authentication is not an exact science and contrary opinions may not be recognized by Auctioneer. Even if Auctioneer agrees with the contrary opinion of such authentication, our liability for reimbursement for such service shall not exceed $500. Provenance and authenticity are guaranteed by neither the consignor nor Auctioneer. While every effort is made to determine provenance and authenticity, it is the responsibility of the Bidder to arrive at their own conclusion prior to bidding.
If you have any information in regards to this issue, please contact Rick at Stairway to the Stars.
Jason De Bord