I thought it would be productive to initiate a hobby-wide discussion of what the “Ultimate COA” would call for, look like, detail, include, and provide to the owner of an original prop, costume, or other artifact from a production.
As discussed in many other articles on the OPB, I generally have a fairly unfavorable opinion of most COAs, in that they typically do not address the foundational components of authenticity: origin, history of ownership, use in the production, etc.
So what information would be included in the “Ultimate” COA?
Here is my first draft list, based in part on several past articles: “Original Prop Provenance & Authenticity, Part 1“, “The Original Prop Purchase Checklist & COA“, “Instruments of Authenticity & The Chain of Ownership“, and others.
The Ultimate Original Prop COA, ver 1.0
Name of Prop: _________________________
Detailed Description of Prop: _________________________
Name of Property (Film or Television Program): _________________________
COA Issued By (Company Name, if applicable): _________________________
COA Issued By (Author’s Name, Signature, Date of Signature): _________________________
Date of Sale: _________________________
Purchaser: _________________________
History of Ownership (Names and Dates): _________________________
Sale History (Seller/Buyer, Dealers/Auction Houses/Retailers, Venues, Locations, Dates): _________________________
Checklist: Privatization – Circumstances by which the Original Piece Left the Production and/or Studio (Studio Sale, Gift, Principal, Other, Unknown)
Narrative: Privatization – Circumstances by which the Original Piece Left the Production and/or Studio?: _________________________
Checklist: “Guarantee” of Authenticity (Yes, No)
Guarantor(s): _________________________
Narrative/Attachment(s): Copy/Copies of any Past and/or Current Dealer/Retailer/Auction House “Guarantees”: _________________________
Checklist: Screen-Match? (Yes, No, Unknown), including applicable photography/comparisons
Narrative: Specific Use in Production, if Known: _________________________
Narrative: First Hand Authority – Verification of Authenticity, Use, or Other – Signed & Dated by Authority: _________________________
Narrative: Second Hand Authority – Verification of Authenticity, Use, or Other – Signed & Dated by Authority: _________________________
Checklist (one or more):
- Pre-Production, Production, Post Production,
- Prototype, Hero, Stunt, Hard Rubber, Soft Rubber, Background, Back-Up, Working, SPFX, Used, Unused, Used/Worn By ______, Filmed, Unfilmed, Screen-Matched, One of a Kind, Made for/Not Used in Production, Photo Double, Stand In, Production Used
- Blank Fire, Live Fire, Decommissioned/Deactivated (U.S.), Decommissioned/Deactivated (U.K.),
- Costume Tag, Asset Tag, Studio Writing, ,
Narrative: Explanation and Verification of Any Checked Above: _________________________
Checklist: Has the Piece Been Altered In Any Way Post Production? (Yes, No – Paint, Restoration, Repair, Replace, Autograph, Other)
Narrative: Explanation/Details of Any Post Production Alterations: _________________________
Narrative: State of the Replica Marketplace – Any Copies, Castings, Licensed Replicas, Unlicensed Replicas? _________________________
Narrative: Any Tells Specific to this Original Prop or Costume? _________________________
Attachment(s): Formerly Issued COAs/LOAs/Auction Catalog(s)/Rental Agreements/Studio Letter or COA/Other with Manifest
Attachment(s): Current Photo of Original Piece, Signed and Dated By Seller
Attachment(s): CD/DVD with Manifest Outlining All Electronic Provenance Available
Attachment(s): Originals/Copies of all Hard Copy Provenance Available, with Manifest
- Studio/Production-Issued Documentation/Provenance
- Non-Studio/Production-Issued Documentation/Provenance
~
It probably goes without saying, but it would obviously be a challenge to fill out each and every field and query, but in many cases, I would think a majority could be answered.
I’m interested in feedback from anyone who would like to share. What else would you include, alter, exclude, from the outline above?
Even if partially completed by a seller, of what value would such a document be to you, the buyer? Would you pay a premium for an original prop or costume that was accompanied with a COA of such detail?
Would you take the time to draft, what I would rename a “Record of Provenance & Authenticity“, for original props and costumes currently in your own collection? If anything, as an exercise in outlining the provenance of your own pieces, and to determine where further research and investigation might be warranted?
Jason De Bord