In early February a prop was listed on eBay and marketed as “used in the movie gremlins” that was “acquired directly from Warner Bros”.This item was listed and relisted by seller slimerhead13:
Gremlins Movie Prop Horror (eBay Item #120215353479)
Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing slimerhead13 – “Gremlins Movie Prop Horror” (ended 02-01-08)
Gremlins Movie Prop Horror (eBay Item #120219110301)
Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing slimerhead13 – “Gremlins Movie Prop Horror” (ended 02-10-08)
The seller provided another collector with these photos that pertain to provenance, which were not part of the public eBay listing:
Higher Resolution Archive: eBay Listing slimerhead13 – Gremlins Prop Head Warner Bros. COA
Higher Resolution Archive: eBay Listing slimerhead13 – Gremlins Prop Head Asset Tag
I understand that the winning bidder on the first listing did not complete the transaction.
Reviewing the second listing, which ended on 02/10/08, the piece appears to have sold to a bidder for $431.00. Because it was a “private auction”, the identity of the buyer is not readily apparent. However, seller slimer13 became a member of eBay on 01/25/08, which was the same day the first of the two listings began. He subsequently received positive Feedback on 03/03/08 from eBay member ovie86, as buyer, commenting “Great Gremlin! You rock man!”:
High Resolution Archive: eBay Member slimerhead13 Feedback
This one Feedback is the only one slimerhead13 has received.
slimerhead13 also left Feedback for ovie86, commenting “SUPER FAST PAYMENT,GREAT E-BUYER A+++++THANKS”:
High Resolution Archive: eBay Member ovie86 Feedback
Yesterday, a prop head from Gremlins was listed on eBay by seller ovie86.
AUTHENTIC Screen Used Gremlins Head Prop Puppet RARE!!! (eBay Item #220217619870)
Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing ovie86 – “AUTHENTIC Screen Used Gremlins Head Prop Puppet RARE)
The prop head in the two auctions do resemble one another (slimerhead13 top, ovie86 bottom):
The asset photo and tag photos sent from eBay seller slimerhead13 to another collector match the asset photo and tag photos seen in the current ovie86 listing (slimerhead13 top, ovie86 bottom):
Higher Resolution Archive: Comparison: slimerhead13 Provenance & ovie86 Provenance
I can’t personally speak as to the authenticity of the piece, but I am puzzled by the circumstances and statements made in the marketing description of the current ovie86 eBay auction listing:
Hey! You are bidding on an AUTHENTIC screen used Gremlin head from the movie Gremlins by Joe Dante. I purchased this about 12 years ago from a screen used backlot sale in Hollywood for $1,650.00. I had a CUSTOM display case built for it when I bought it and it has been on display ever since. It is in INCREDIBLE condition for its age, however it does have a little crispy flakes due to the fact that is two decades old! However, it has no lose ends and the details are impeccable! Just look at the eyes! I was told this prop was used in the famous movie theater scene where hundreds of Gremlins can be seen watching the movie Snow White. The original price tag and picture from when it was taken from the set of the movie is included! I am starting the bidding out at only $100.00! The case alone cost me $150.00 to have custom made! Because NO RESERVE WHATSOEVER!!! This comes from a pet/child/smoke free home! I saw two Gremlins props sell for over $4,000 a couple of weeks ago and they didn’t even have ANY type of paperwork or anything. The prop has matching numbers on the picture, tag, and inside of the prop itself. Why pay thousands of dollars for a 4 inch puppet when you can get the real deal FULL SIZE Gremlin head right here at a fraction of the cost?! I have NEVER seen anything like this offered on ebay before and this will likely be the last time! I have over 260 positive feedback so BID WITH CONFIDENCE! I would love to hold onto this because who knows how much it will be worth 10 years from now but I have fallen on hard times (aka divorce) and I have already sold off almost all of my props and this is my pride and joy… Shipping will be $45.00 for FIRST CLASS BUBBLEWRAP SHIPPING! THIS IS A FRAGILE ITEM SO IT MUST BE TAKEN GREAT CARE FOR!! Money orders are preferred please! PAYPAL WILL BE AN ACCEPTED FORM OF PAYMENT BUT ONLY UNDER CERTAIN (Easily Met) RESTRICTIONS! PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR MORE DETAILS! EMAIL ME FOR BUY IT NOW!! Email me with any questions or if you want me to take anymore pictures just for you! Thanks and Happy Bidding everyone!!
I also have a picture of Gremlins director Joe Dante holding this prop. I took the prop to the Fangoria World Horror Convention back in 1999 and I got a picture with him and he signed a picture for me as well. I was going to get him to sign the prop itself, but I didn’t want to diminish the condition of the prop and he didn’t recommend it, so I just had him sign a picture and I had framed and had it hanging next to my prop. If you like, please email me and I will send you the picture of Joe holding the prop. He is an extremely nice guy and I got to meet Zach Galligan too! Since I have the picture framed I am going to have to find a scanner and then I can email the picture out!
Another question that has been brought to my attention, I wanted to make clear that this Gremlin has a FULL set of teeth with gums and mouth that opens. There must have been wires or something because you can still see the parts inside the head that were used to make him open and close his mouth. When this Gremlin was used in the movie, he can be seen laughing, that’s why such great detail must have been put into this prop. I have taken a picture of the full teeth and mouth and posted it. Hope this helps!!
These comments in particular seem to be inconsistent with the fact that it appears that the current seller, ovie86, acquired this on eBay last month from seller slimerhead13:
“I purchased this about 12 years ago from a screen used backlot sale in Hollywood for $1,650.00.”
“I have NEVER seen anything like this offered on ebay before and this will likely be the last time!”
“I took the prop to the Fangoria World Horror Convention back in 1999”
Also curious is that there is no mention in the current listing about the Warner Bros. Certificate of Authenticity. More, the claim that the seller has a photo of Joe Dante holding the prop is not present in the auction, because the seller states he needs to “find a scanner and then I can email the picture”, yet there is a photo of the other related photo posted in the auction. Why can one photo be photographed and posted in the public auction, but the other must be scanned and privately e-mailed?
After preparing this article yesterday, I contacted the current seller through the eBay system posing some of my questions.
I have not yet received a response.
Jason De Bord