Thanks to input from readers and friends of the OPB, I have more information to share regarding the article published last night about the “Padmé” costume that appears to have been made for and used in the BBC televsion series, French & Saunders, not the film at the source of their parody, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
This costume was originally sold to the public via auction on May 23, 2010 by Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers in the UK, as part of “The Angels Film Costume Auction”. This sale event was the topic of an Original Prop Blog article at the time (see Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers Holds ‘The Angels Film Costume Auction’ May 23rd in the United Kingdom).
The full online catalog is still archived on the www.cameo-auctioneers.co.uk website:
The Padmé costume was Lot 229, which was at the time described as follows:
229 – Star Wars Prequels 1999 – 2005. A prototype ethnic satyle dress used for Natalie Portman in the tar Wars prequels, used on set most likely by stand ins and in background scenes.
Provenance Angels the Costumiers
Estimate: £200-300
Below is an archive of the description and photo provided:
In a discussion with friends about the costume, one had remarked that it appeared to “screen-match” the costume seen in the French and Saunders screencaps, and I agreed, as I had found matching/corresponding marks while preparing the article last night. Another collector subsequently shared a pictorial analysis precisely highlighting several matching marks, which inspired me to share his comparison and observations:
In any event, it is interesting to see the number of times and variety of venues with which this costume has been offered for sale and exchanged hands in a span of less than one year:
- May 23, 2010 – Offered at auction and sold by Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers
- December 17, 2010 – Offered at auction and sold by Profiles in History
- February 16, 2011 – Offered at auction and withdrawn by seller on eBay
Also worthy of contemplation are the changes in the attributions and description following its actual use in production – with the first and second auction venues – especially considering that Angels is an original source of authentic wardrobe. It obviously highlights the importance of provenance, research, and authentication – regardless of source – as well as verifying history and chain of ownership. Even with a mistake in attribution to the incorrect production, in May 2010 it was described as a “prototype” costume that was “used on set most likely by stand ins and in background scenes“, and in December 2010 just months later, it was “worn by Natalie Portman as “Padme”“.
Given that these revelations were born out of the collector online community (via Rebelscum), it also illustrates the importance of online discussion forums and related collector-to-collector debate and networking to serve as a public resource to the marketplace.
Jason DeBord