I recently came across an eBay auction that ended a few weeks ago, offered by Auction Depot LA with a Global Antiques COA titled: “THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL SWORD +COA NR!”. This piece realized $257.55 at auction.
This seller and consignor/authenticator have already been topics of past articles:
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA“
“Global Antiques, Auction Depot LA – Reader Experience With “Original” Casablanca Prop”
“I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Thomas Edison, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Mark Twain, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Al Capone, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA – “Original Dagger Sword””
As discussed in the previous articles, “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1 on eBay) offers a large number of items on a regular basis (nearly 200 items are currently live on eBay in the “Collectibles” category of their eBay store, as of the writing of this article).
These collectibles, attributed to film/television use and/or ownership by Hollywood stars and public/historic figures, are apparently consigned and authenticated by “Global Antiques” (also referred to as “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”).
For example, many of these items are described as “original” and “authentic” props from “Gone With The Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Casablanca”, “I Love Lucy”, “Star Trek”, “James Bond”, “Lord of the Rings”, and other films and television programs, as well as many collectibles and antiques marketed as owned by John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and other classic and iconic Hollywood stars as well as objects previously owned by public figures such as Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Al Capone, Andy Warhol, and others.
The following piece was another item offered for sale to the public on eBay by Auction Depot LA, with a Certificate of Authenticity from the same source/authenticator, also described as “curator” in the listings, “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”.
The Lord of the Rings “Original Sword”
“THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL SWORD +COA NR!” (eBay Item #310039972897)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing – auctiondepotla1 “THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL SWORD +COA NR!”
This is the marketing description for the item:
DESCRIPTION
You are looking at THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL SWORD +COA.
Now is your chance to own a piece of Hollywood history!!
Product Details:
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS
- FILM PROP
- ORIGINAL SWORD +COA
- We do not know which movie this item was featured in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you know what scene this item was featured in?
A: Since this item was pulled from a large vault of props, exact scene details are not available. It may be recognized in a scene or it could be used in production off camera.
Q: How do I know this prop is authentic?
A: Global Antiques is the curator of all of the props available for auction through Auction Depot LA. They acquire these props from collectors and studio personnel. The item is authenticated by Global Antiques after its provenance has been validated and certified. Every prop we sell is accompanied by a Silver or Gold Certificate of Authenticity. No other documents are included with the auction.Q: How can I contact Global Antiques or the original owner?
A: We act as an agent for Global Antiques and would be happy to answer any other questions you have. We cannot disclose contact info for our private sellers but you are welcome to call us toll free at (877) 337-6852INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL SWORD
- Certificate of Authenticity Global Antiques, Los Angeles)
CONDITION
Appearance: Used during the production of the motion picture: The Lord Of The Rings. Item is in good condition. Shows some signs of use but is not damaged.
DIMENSIONS
Width: 8.5″
Height: 42″
These are the details of the “Certificate of Authenticity (City of Los Angeles, Global Antiques)”:
The COA cites “The Lord of the Rings”, “Film Prop / Original”, with an “AM Approval Date” of “2004″.
Per Wikipedia (LINK):
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy consists of three live-action fantasy epic films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) (often abbreviated to LotR, FotR, TTT, and RotK).
It is a matter of record that the films from the Lord of the Rings trilogy were originally released in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
Per Wikipedia (LINK, “Production Design”):
Jackson began storyboarding the trilogy with Christian Rivers in August 1997 and assigned his crew to begin designing Middle-earth at the same time. Jackson hired long-time collaborator Richard Taylor to lead Weta Workshop on five major design elements: armour, weapons, prosthetics/make-up, creatures, and miniatures.
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In total, 48,000 pieces of armour, 500 bows, and 10,000 arrows were created by Weta Workshop. They also created many prosthetics, such as 1,800 pairs of Hobbit feet for the lead actors, as well as many ears, noses, and heads for the cast, and around 19,000 costumes were woven and aged. Every prop was specially designed by the Art Department, taking the different scales into account.
From Weta Workshop:
Weta Workshop is situated in Wellington, New Zealand and is a comprehensive film and television effects facility that houses a large and varied skill base of creative technicians. Best known for their work on ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Weta Workshop is a five time Academy Award winning company that offers services to all aspects of the creative industry including design, special make-up effects and prosthetics, creatures, armour, weapons, miniatures, prop building, large scale sculpture, display work and costuming.
Weta Workshop – Services – Weapons
With an in-house Master Swordsmith and a team of craftspeople capable of producing all varieties of weapons, Weta can produce hero one-off swords through to large numbers of bows, quivers, spears, axes, shields, guns, grenades and other replica military weapons. Weapons can be produced with live blades for full contact fighting, light aluminium blades for close up actor stunt work and stunt-friendly urethane compound weapons for large-scale battle action.
The “film prop original sword” offered in the Auction Depot LA auction does not appear to resemble any of the swords seen in the Lord of the Rings films, but it does appear to match a replica fantasy sword commercially available today.
Modern Replica “2007 Dragon Slayer Sword” (Product No. 20-542G)
High Resolution Archive: “2007 Dragon Slayer Sword”
This replica fantasy sword, the “2007 Dragon Slayer Sword”, is currently widely available at online merchants for approximately $22-$80. This is also marketed on some sites as the “Hercules TV Show Sword”. Examples include:
This compilation shows a promotional photo of the “2007 Dragon Slayer Sword” in center along with photos from the Auction Depot LA “Lord of the Rings film prop original sword” from the eBay auction:
High Resolution Archive: “2007 Dragon Slayer Sword” & “Auction Depot LA Lord of the Rings Film Prop Original Sword”
Jason De Bord