A Star Trek: The Original Series “hand phaser”, marketed as original and from the 1966-69 classic television series with a Certificate of Authenticity from “Movies Galore”, has been offered for sale and sold, offered for sale again and sold, and is now offered for sale on eBay for a third time over the span of just three months.
February
In late February, eBay seller “grandenagus” offered a hand phaser from the original Star Trek television series. This was offered for sale in the eBay category “Entertainment Memorabilia – Movie Memorabilia – Props – Originals”.
Hand Phaser from Original Star Trek Series 1966/69 (eBay Item #300201871094)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Seller grandenagus “Hand Phaser from Original Star Trek Series 1966/69”
Marketing Description Text:
Hand Phaser from Original Star Trek Series(1966/69)
Small grey Phaser Type 1 made of balsa wood with silver foil , clear lexan button and aluminium Knob painted with grey . The blue button is missing .
Bottom is applied with Velcro for attachment to utility belt.
Conditions : very fine conditions.
Provenance : Hand Phaser comes with COA issued by Movies Galore Company (Scottsdale , AZ) .
I acept only Paypal Payment
* Shipping cost FREE *
Movies Galore COA:
This was an eBay Private Listing, which eBay describes as follows:
Would you like your buyers’ identities to remain anonymous? When you create a private listing, a buyer’s User ID will not appear in the listing or in the listing’s bid history.
When to Use a Private Listing
While there are some cases where private listings are appropriate, such as the sale of high-priced ticket items or approved pharmaceutical products, you should only make your listing private for a specific reason.
As such, at the conclusion of the auction on February 24th, a third party could not know the eBay user name of the winner. The hand phaser sold for $2,000.00 via “Buy It Now”.
March
I was subsequently contacted by the winner of the “grandenagus” eBay auction on March 4th, who had questions in regards to authenticity. I directed the winner of the piece to an ongoing discussion on the “Star Trek Props, Costumes, and Auctions” discussion forum, to a discussion titled “Phaser One ?” in the “Authentic or Not?” subforum.
On March 8th, the buyer of the “grandenagus” auction listed the hand phaser on eBay as “truck8”.
To verify the transaction, since the “grandenagus” sale was a Private Listing, one can reference the mutual feedback given between “grandenagus” and “truck8”:
Positive Feedback left for Seller “grandenagus” by Buyer “truck8” on March 3, 2008 for a Private Listing:
High Resolution Archive: “truck8” Positive Feedback for “grandenagus”
Text:
SUPER FAST DELIVERY!!! OUTSTANDING EBAY SELLER!!! A+++
truck8 ( 342 )
Mar-03-08 11:20
— — Private
Positive Feedback left for Buyer “truck8” by Seller “grandenagus” on March 3, 2008 for a Private Listing:
High Resolution Archive: “grandenagus Positive Feedback for “truck8”
Text:
Fantastic Buyer Paid Immediate After An Auction Ended..A++++++++++
grandenagus ( 2035 )
Mar-03-08 19:57
— — Private
Star Trek TOS Original Phaser Prop (eBay Item #120230948190)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Seller truck8 “Star Trek TOS Original Phaser Prop”
Marketing Description Text:
This is a phaser 1 prop from the original Star Trek television series 1966/69, complete with COA from Movies Galore (Scottsdale, AZ.). The phaser is a backround prop made of wood, with velcro on the bottom for attachment to a utility belt. It is in excellent condition. Phasers are the most sought-after props from the original television series, and they are VERY hard to acquire. I do NOT want to part with this. But we just found out we have a new baby on the way, so I must sell it for financial reasons. The high bidder agrees to make payment through Paypal within 24 hours after the auction’s ending. International bidders are welcome. But, if you are not serious please don’t place a bid! Thank you and good luck.
On Mar-09-08 at 10:42:57 PDT, seller added the following information:
NOTE: Just to clarify a few things. Prior to my acquiring it, this phaser 1 prop was originally purchased at an international memorabilia auction in 1999 for $2,500.00. I will supply all that auction invoice paperwork to the high bidder. On February 20, 2008 I sent Star Trek prop expert Richard Coyle a description and photographs of this phaser prop and asked him to examine them. Mr. Coyle honored my request. After examining them, he told me that this phaser had all the right details and, although it is hard to say for certain from a description and photographs, in his opinion it could be a prop from the original Star Trek television series. Also, regarding the phaser’s material, this phaser prop was crafted out of a light wood. Probably balsa wood.
On Mar-09-08 at 13:34:27 PDT, seller added the following information:
NOTE: As with any prop that is listed as an original from the 1960s, expert opinions conflict. Back then, props were not categorized and saved by the studios as they are today. Most original props from that era varied greatly in design and had no paperwork attached to them at all. Sometimes, authentification could only be made decades later.
On Mar-10-08 at 09:42:54 PDT, seller added the following information:
NOTE: I have some better resolution photos of the phaser prop available upon request. Just make sure you include your email address with your message.
This auction ended on March 10th, sold to eBay member “notdads2004” for $1,000.00 (half what “truck8” paid on February 24th).
April
It appears that the same “hand phaser” is available on eBay again, this time offered by the buyer of the previous auction, “notdads2004”, with a Buy It Now of $2,499.99:
Star Trek original TV screen used prop phaser w/COA (eBay Item #110246199262)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Seller notdads2004 “Star Trek original TV screen used prop phaser w/COA”
Marketing Description Text:
NO RESERVE!!!!
DESCRIPTION: This item is a phaser 1 prop from the original “Star Trek” television series 1966-1969. The phaser is a backround prop crafted out of balsa wood, with velcro on the bottom for attachment to a utility belt. It is in excellent condition. Phasers are the most sought-after props from the original television series, and they are VERY hard to acquire. This phaser was originally purchased from a Movies Galore auction in 1999 for $2,500.00.
In February the previous owner sent Star Trek prop expert Richard Coyle a description and photographs of this phaser prop and asked him to examine them. Mr. Coyle honored his request. After examining them, he was told that this phaser had all the right details and, although it is hard to say for certain from a description and photographs, in his opinion it could be a prop from the original Star Trek television series.
As with any prop that is listed as an original from the 1960s, expert opinions conflict. Back then, props were not categorized and saved by the studios as they are today. Most original props from that era varied greatly in design and had no paperwork attached to them at all. Sometimes, authentification could only be made decades later.
Accompanied by a copy of the original bill of sale (receipt) and an original certificate of authenticity from Movies Galore.
MEASUREMENTS AND CONDITION: The item is in good condition.
ESTIMATED VALUE: $3,500.00 plus
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY: This item comes with a certificate of authenticity from Movies Galore.
This third (“notdads2004”) auction features a photo of a Movies Galore Certificate of Authenticity that appears to match the COA pictured in the first (“grandenagus”) auction:
Related Articles & Discussion:
The Trek Prop Zone: Fake P1 Surfaces AGAIN
The Trek Prop Zone: “Original” TOS Phaser, Hummmmmmmm?
The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Blog: Fake Phaser on eBay…More Movies Galore fraud
The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Forum: Phaser One ?
The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Forum: Possible “authentic” Type 1 Tos Phaser On Ebay
Original Prop Blog: Star Trek: The Original Series Props – Auction House Archive, Part 1
Jason De Bord