As noted last month (see Live Event Catalog Available Online), the online PDF version of the catalog for the Battlestar Galactica auction event was made available in early December. Collectors started receiving the print edition in the mail in the past week or so, and I received a comp copy over the weekend, so I thought I’d share my observations.
For Propworx’s first effort, it is a very impressive catalog. It shares a lot of similarities with and owes a debt to the Christie’s set of two catalogs produced for the “40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection” event in NYC back in October 2006 – very clean, nice photos on white backdrops, good descriptions. Below is a comparison between a page from the Christie’s Star Trek catalog and a page from the Propworx Battlestar Galactica catalog which illustrates the clear influence:
Obviously, for fans of Battlestar Galactica, it is an excellent keepsake, and would probably serve as a better coffee table-style book than an actual coffee table book. Given that it was produced by Alec Peters and his team – enthusiastic collectors and fans of the show – this comes through in the final product.
Overall, the quality of the publication itself is good, though the cover is in my opinion is unfortunately the weakest aspect. While the design choice of the cover is a little uninspired and doesn’t showcase any of the incredible pieces found within, my bigger issue is that it is a little too thin as far as cover stock goes (prone to dents/scratches/marks) and unfortunately exhibits one of my personal pet peeves (which I have probably remarked on in every book review I’ve published) – it is a fingerprint magnet.
Because the PDF version is free, I would encourage everyone to take a look (PDF Download) if they already haven’t, as it does have a level of professionalism that is in many cases lacking in the hobby. The photos are excellent, the layout attractive, the descriptions solid. Everything is well categorized and well sequenced within those categories. In my experience using and in many cases collecting auction house catalogs, many have a very rushed and thrown together appearance. Conversely, it is very apparent that Propworx took the time and effort to really put together a book that organizes the material very well and also provides context by including insights from principals involved in the production. It goes above and beyond the merely utilitarian efforts exhibited in many auction house events in which lots are simply put together as a means to an end, with little consideration beyond the basics. Of course, it is to their benefit that it is exclusively representing pieces from a single property, whereas some of the haphazard presentation in other catalogs is attributed to the wide variety of movies and television shows the items represent.
Weighing in at 320 pages, there is a lot of information and many photos in the catalog, and it serves as an excellent archive of the series and the artifacts that uniquely characterized the show. I personally think the highlights are the beautiful full bleed pages showcasing the sets – top quality stuff.
Given that Propworx did not exist one year ago, I do feel it is a remarkable what Alec and his team have put together thus far, and the catalog alone is quite an achievement.
The event itself is less than two weeks away, with the live event held at the Pasadena Convention Center January 17-18 (with a preview and related events on the 16th). More details can be found at BattlestarProps.com. The print edition of the catalog can be ordered online from the site as well, at a cost of $35.
Jason De Bord