An eBay auction ended a few days ago for an “ORIGINAL PROP FACEHUGGER FROM ‘ALIENS’ (1986)” (eBay Item #320120640219). The subtitle of the auction listing claimed: “Displayed – with COA & letter from film studio”
Link to Archived Listing: Facehugger Auction Archive
Well, since the close of the auction, several collectors have since forwarded to me a copy of this “letter from 20th Century Fox outlining it’s history and use on set”.
This appears to be a letter prepared by the dealer, “MovieMania” (eBay seller andsim03 and dealer website www.moviemaniaonline.co.uk), as it has a copy of both the 20th Century Fox logo and the “MovieMania” logo.
It is not an example of the widely recognized, officially sanctioned “Fox COA”.
Further, it bears the (illegible) signatures of both “MovieMania” (principal unnamed) as well as “Fox Studios Australia” (principal unnamed).
The letter reads:
Letter of Provenance to accompany attached still and documentation:
An original’ Facehugger’ from the 1986 movie ‘Aliens’. Creates at Pinewood Studios and later purchased by Elstree and television studios.
We believe the information provided by MovieMania to be true and accurate.
I have never before seen a letter that resembles this one in appearance, content, and function.
What value does a “home made”, presumably unofficial studio letter have?
How does a letter signed by Fox Studios Australia in 2007 pertain to a film produced in the U.K. and released in 1986, more than 20 years earlier?
Of what value is the signature of an unnamed and unidentified Fox Studios Australia employee?
In what capacity is this unnamed and unidentified Fox Studios Australia employee authorized to certify “MovieMania’s” information to be “true and accurate?”
Did “MovieMania” provide Fox Studios Australia with the prop to examine?
How can this unnamed and unidentified Fox Studios Australia employee know that the prop was used in Aliens?
If the “MovieMania” business is in the UK (per the website, 3 Windmill Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO10 3LG, United Kingdom), why did they go to Fox Studios Australia to execute this letter?
If this piece is inauthentic, is Fox Studios Australia liable for the cost of the piece, since they have certified, in writing, that it is an “original Facehugger from the 1986 film Aliens”?
What would the proper representatives at Fox Studios have to say about this letter if they were aware of it?
This piece sold on eBay via “Buy It Now” for $2,250.00
Jason De Bord