This is an update to an article published last week which raised questions of provenance about prop “fertility idols” attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark that have been circulating in the marketplace, along with related issues.
The original article can be found here:
“Extraordinary Things, LLC” eBay Auction Update
As an update to the “fertility idol” prop currently listed on eBay as “production used” (one of two such pieces archived in the last article with provenance related to Elstree Props, the Harrison family (Paul, Nick, and/or Norm), Elstree Film Studios, and The Danziger Collection), I have had private communications with the seller for the past several days, who contacted me after reading the original article.
The seller, Extraordinary Things, LLC, (etllc.com on the web, extraordinary-things on eBay) has made two revisions to their eBay listing since the OPB article was published:
On Jan-24-09 at 21:20:17 PST, seller added the following information:
We have received a number of emails regarding the signer of the Certificate of Authenticity from Elstree Studios. Some people think the certificate must have been signed by a Norm Harrison and not Nick Harrison. I can’t state with 100% certainty which of the two Harrisons signed the COA and wanted to clarify this as soon as it was brought to my attention.
On Jan-28-09 at 10:30:32 PST, seller added the following information:
We have received extensive publicity, email and phone calls regarding this auction listing. We want all of our customers to make informed decisions with our assurance that if there is an issue with any item we sell we will make it right for the customer.
We encourage those interested in finding out more about Indiana Jones Fertility Idol props to visit the following site: http://www.originalprop.com/blog/?p=9253. If after reading this information any bidder decides they would like to remove their bids please contact us and we will do so for you as soon as possible. If you make your request on the last day of the auction (February 1, 2009) we do not guarantee we will see your request in time prior to the end of the auction. Per eBay policy all bids are binding until withdrawn or retracted.
Bidders have the ability to remove their own bids at anytime prior to the end of the auction at this link: http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?RetractBidShow
In addition we will offer the following written guarantees from Extraordinary Things LLC to the winning bidder regarding the Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol and related Certificate of Authenticity from Elstree Studios up for auction in this listing:
1. This Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol shown and described in this auction listing was purchased directly from Elstree Studios located in London, England
2. The Elstree Studios Certificate of Authenticity shown and described in this listing was received from Elstree Studios at the same time as the purchase of the Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol.
3. Both the Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol and the Elstree Studios Certificate of Authenticity in this auction listing have been in our possession since the original purchase and has not been altered, repaired, repainted, copied, duplicated, remolded or remanufactured while in our possession.
4. The winning bidder will have an unconditional one (1) year return right from the date of the auction close for a full refund of the purchase price, so long as the Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol and Elstree Studios Certificate of Authenticity is returned to Extraordinary Things LLC in the same condition as shown in this auction listing. Any damage or alterations to either the Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idol or the Elstree Studios Certificate of Authenticity will void all return rights. (The Idol and COA will be fully insured against damage or loss during shipping for the full purchase price when shipped to the winning bidder).Any person who places a bid from 1:30 pm Eastern Standard Time on January 28, 2009 through 6:31 pm Eastern Standard Time on February 1, 2009 accepts by the confirmation of their bid on this item the following limitations:
Non-Assignability:
It is specifically understood that the benefits of the one (1) year return option is not assignable and shall be applicable only to the original purchaser of the item from Extraordinary Things LLC and not to subsequent owners or others who have or may acquire an interest therein.Sole Remedy:
It is further specifically understood that the remedy set forth herein, namely the recession of the sale and refund of the original purchase price paid for this item, is exclusive and in lieu of any other remedy which might otherwise be available as a matter of law.
Who Is “N. Harrison”?
One of the ongoing discussions both on the Movie Prop Forum (see Indiana-Jones-Raiders-Production-Used-Fertility-Idol) and with collectors privately is the identity of “N. Harrison” – the signatory on the “Danziger Collection” certificate of authenticity that accompanies and guarantees authentic the “fertility idol” currently listed for sale on eBay. I have scans of additional “Danziger Collection” COAs with the same “N. Harrison” certification (some have also been archived in prior topics).
As seen in the seller’s own updated description above, there appears to be significant confusion among collectors as to who in the Harrison family (formerly of Elstree Props) has signed these documents.
Below are excerpts from the “Company History” page on the ElstreeProps.com website, with their bios for Norm Harrison (father) and Nick Harrison (son, who tragically passed in 1999); no bio was found for Paul Harrison (son and former owner of Elstree Props).
Norm Harrison:
This is a brief outline about Norank Eng. Co. Ltd., resident studio engineers and prop makers at Elstree Film Studios during Star Wars, A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Norank also worked on the Indiana Jones trilogy, The Shining, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Superman, Bond and over 120 other movies! Norman Harrison founded the company.
This page details the history, and establishes Noranks credentials for making the props and our credentials for preserving and selling those film props. If you are buying movie props, provenance is key, and our reputation is what makes us unique.
Norman Harrison had an engineering factory in Manor Way, and made many things in metal for the movies and TV. He bought the engineers shop in Elstree Film Studios in the early seventies, and Norank Eng Co Ltd became famous for making anything in metal.
Work carried out by Norank on Star Wars alone includes R2D2’s head, C3PO’s armour, Luke’s ROTJ lightsaber (turned by hand!) and graflex modifications for the earlier sabers. The landing ramp of the Millennium Falcon and the X-Wings can also be credited to Norank along with many more not mentioned here.
For the Indiana films Norank made knives, swords, spikes, the torture cage, the Ra staff, details for the Ark, the mine trucks and again much more.
On the Shining, they made the SFX knives and axes, the huge chandelier lights in the hotel, the outdoor lamps for the maze, the snow blowers that the cameramen used and carried out repairs to the tricycle!
We are always looking for new pieces to add to our collection. We pay top prices and work closely with the Elstree Heritage Group to preserve and protect our history. If you have anything from the old movies, please call us.
We also design and build unique cased and lit movie prop displays to add focal points to cinemas, bars, clubs, restaurants and offices. We specialise in Home Theatres! Our displays are unique, our backdrops, lighting systems and miniature Video screens enhance the display pieces without overshadowing them.
If you have anything from the movies (especially films made here at Elstree or other British Studios) please get in touch! Other dealers will try and buy from you as cheaply as possible and then sell your pieces on for a big profit! Cut out the middle men and use us. You’ll get a true value! Each movie prop we authenticate has a full Certificate of Authenticity and is stamped and signed so they can be tracked.
Nick Harrison:
Nick Harrison joined the company Norank in 1979 after working as a Saturday boy, and took over the factory in the studios after working in special effects with Kit West and John Stears on films including Space Vampires, Big Trouble in Little China and the Last Emperor. Nick then went on to found Weird & Wonderful Ltd., specialising in prop storage and repairs, and eventually received a licence from LucasFilms and Fox for the UK. Nick unfortunately passed away at just 37 after cramming in three lifetimes of fun and madness.
If you are working on a production and have props we can use for rentals, we will clear the set for you, free of charge and store the pieces for you.
We will >>maximise<< your movie assets, so let us help. Don’t pay thousands for storage, this is a FREE service! Once assigned to a production, we police the internet, dealer network and auction sites to counter theft and piracy, and protect the look and feel of your production.
Another excerpt from an eBay listing (December 2008) by the new owner of Elstree Props (see ORIGINAL INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE PROP | eBay Item number: 260329461235 | LISTING ARCHIVE):
We are Powersellers which means we have been doing this a long time and have great feedback! Every original piece we sell has a full studio COA stamped and signed.
Nick Harrison collected and stored props for a living. He was licenced by LucasFilm, Fox and others. Nick worked with Robert Earl when he was opening the Planet Hollywood chain, and supplied many of his pieces. We own a lot of Nick’s collection that never got sold off to other dealers.
Revisiting the “Danziger Collection” COA from the current eBay auction for the fertility idol, I assumed it was Nick Harrison – not Norm Harrison – due to the “Licensed Film Archivist” title:
I would also assume that the “J” in “/NJH” in the serial number on the document is a middle initial – though I do not know either Norm Harrison or Nick Harrison’s middle initial.
In any event, there does seem to be confusion in the marketplace due to the consistent use of “N. Harrison” on these documents, as well as the fact that they appear to be undated.
Also of concern, as noted in the prior article (and subject of an earlier article – Elstree Props “100% Unconditional Guarantee” Update), is the status of these documents, with regards to guarantees of authenticity.
It is unclear now that Elstree Props has changed ownership and the new owner, Steve Wickenden, has stated on the ElstreeProps.com website that “[t]he Danziger collection certifcates that were issued from Feb 2008 to present will be valid by us and will hold the guarantee” and “[t]he Certificates before this date are the responsibility of the previous owners“.
I am unaware of any subsequent public statement by Paul Harrison, former owner of Elstree Props, as to the status of these guarantees (of any COAs bearing the “Danziger Collection” and/or “Elstree Film Studios” and/or “Elstree Props” name(s) issued prior to the change of ownership of Elstree Props).
Elstree Props vs. Elstree Film Studios?
Also curious is that the COA in the case of this “fertility idol” auction, and other examples, relies on the name and authority of two entities other than “Elstree Props”: “The Danziger Collection” and “Elstree Film Studios”.
It is my understanding that Elstree Film Studios (see www.elstreefilmstudios.co.uk), as a company, has always been a completely separate entity from Elstree Props (see www.elstreeprops.com).
Is not Elstree Props merely one of many tenants that leases space at Elstree Film Studios?
If that is the case, doesn’t naming “Elstree Film Studios” as the issuing authority on a film prop marketed as authentic either: 1) place liability on Elstree Film Studios as the guarantor of the authentication – or – 2) make the document null and void, in that neither “N. Harrison” has the authority to encumber Elstree Film Studios with a guarantee of authenticity for property which they do not own and have not authenticated?
From the Elstree Film Studios “Company” page:
Established in 1926, Elstree Studios is an independent British film studio, the third largest remaining purpose built facility in the UK. Providing over 60,000 sq ft of stage space plus office and workspace to the film, television and creative industries, Elstree comprises approximately 15 acres within Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Elstree is superbly located being close to central London, the motorway network, international and local airports as well as being close to a high street environment with easy access to hotels, restaurants, shops, taxi services and train station.
From the Elstree Props “About Us” page:
Elstreeprops.com has been based at Elstree Studios for eight years now and came under new ownership in February 2008.
We are also now available on Facebook here.
We have had many celebrities in the studio and a few of them have come in for a visit to the Elstree Props workshop (see photos below). We have worked with some major music celebrities too, including Alicia Keys and Sonnie J.
Since the change of ownership, the company has started making and hiring props for productions again and has strengthened its prop hire business. Over the last few months, Props have been hired out to productions in the studio and also to the BBC and Channel 4.
From the Elstree Props “Facebook” page:
Movie props are our speciality and have been since the Seventies. We are based in Elstree Film Studios (the home of Star Wars, Indianna Jones, the Shining and of course Big Brother) and have a huge collection of vintage film props, sci-fi movie props, and full size characters from all the classics!
We are authorised Master Replica resellers and also have a huge archive of film related memorabilia, props, scripts, drawings, story boards and more that we are happy to share.
We work closely with event companies to supply unique cased and lit film props for table centre pieces or auctions. We also supply unique interactive characters for parties, product promotions and charity use.
We are always looking for new pieces to add to our collection We pay top prices and work closely with the Elstree Heritage Group to preserve and protect our history. If you have anything from the old movies, please call us.
If you are working on a production and have props we can use for rentals, we will clear the set for you, free of charge, and store the pieces for you.
From the e11e (Elstree Props) eBay “ME” page:
Hello, we are a small family business specialising in film props and movie memorabilia. We buy props, sell props, case props and exhibit props! We have a huge collection of original film props from the many movies we have worked on. We were lucky enough to work on the original Star Wars Trilogy, the Indiana Jones Trilogy, Superman, Alien, Bond 007, The Shining, and many more, over 120 in all!
We were the resident studio engineers in the 1970’s at Elstree Film Studios, and are still there today! But now we maintain the archives and buy and sell props on eBay. We have many original pieces and are always looking for more, so email if you have anything good : ) We also love casing props in special displays with lighting, sound and even video!
Outstanding Questions, Further Reading & Discussion
The questions raised in the prior article remain outstanding, as do those raised within this feature.
Relevant discussions can be found at:
- Club Obi Wan: Aztec/Inca Idol? | Archives Idol confirmation from LFL archivist. | Original Golden Idol Prop Photos | Golden idol question
- Replica Prop Forum: Original Golden Idol from Raiders here…
- Movie Prop Forum: Indiana-Jones-Raiders-Production-Used-Fertility-Idol
- Original Prop Community: Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idols
If anyone has any further information or opinions, please publish your own Reader Comment below, participate in the related topic on the Original Prop Community forum, or contact me.
Jason De Bord