Archives for June 2013

June 28, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Roger J. Christian Offers Some Insights Into Original Prop Lightsabers from “Star Wars: A New Hope” (Update To NRA Museum / Graflex Flash / Ellis Props Articles)

This week Roger J. Christian, who won an Academy Award for his work as Set Decorator on Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), published a reader comment to one of my older articles concerning the prop lightsabers used in that first Original Trilogy film, and two featured at the NRA Museum acquired from Ellis Props. I feel Mr. Christian’s information as principal production member directly involved in the props was definitely important to highlight here and memorialize as part of the ongoing dialogue concerning memorabilia in the marketplace that is characterized by some as “authentic” and “original” to the production, when that might not be the case. [Read more…]

June 28, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 56′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event July 28-29

Profiles in History’s Summer auction catalog, “Hollywood Auction 56” is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This sale is scheduled for July 28th & 29th at their Calabasas Hills facility. [Read more…]

June 23, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Premiere Props Offers Authenticated Fake Prop for Public Auction and the Hobby Says…

As reported a few weeks ago (see “Premiere Props Now In Business Of Selling “Authenticated” Forgery, Along With Premiere Props COA? (Star Trek Mark English Communicator)“), the entertainment memorabilia dealer tried to make lemons out of lemonade after being informed by third party observers that one of the pieces listed for public auction in their latest sale was a forgery. They changed the title and description for the lot in question, recasting the offering as an authenticated fake prop. I have just gotten around to looking up the results of the June 15th sale, and found that the item is marked “WAS NOT SOLD” (though there was a bid of $200 – the start price). I had characterized the sale as “a first in this art market – the open and notorious public sale offering of “authenticated” fake props, along with a COA certifying it… fake?” Well, the hobby has apparently spoken… I guess? [Read more…]

June 13, 2013 By Jason DeBord

ScreenUsed’s Movie Prop, Costume, and Memorabilia Live Online Auction to be Held on July 6th, Catalog Available Online

ScreenUsed will be concluding their next live online auction on July 6th. The auction catalog is now available online via a PDF download via their official website and collectors can bid on iCollector. Featuring an assortment of original props, costumes, and other production material from film and television, this sale boasts 190 Star Trek items out of the 468 lots. In the spirit of the style of auction that they have created, this sale will have the benefit of lower starting prices and reserves than many competing auctions. [Read more…]

June 7, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Premiere Props Now In Business Of Selling “Authenticated” Forgery, Along With Premiere Props COA? (Star Trek Mark English Communicator)

“Crew members and independent collectors have verified the authenticity of this item as a Mark English Forgery. Comes with a COA from Premiere Props”. Wow. I guess this is a new direction of this art market, filed under Sell At Any Cost: The Authenticated Fake Prop? As noted in my wordy titled preview of Premiere Props upcoming regularly scheduled auction (see “Premiere Props ‘Hollywood Auction Extravaganza X’ Catalog Online, Television & Movie Prop and Costume Sale Event June 15 (Plus An OPB Editorial Plea For Authentication)“, their authentication and lot descriptions, in my personal opinion, left a lot to be desired. I have no idea if anyone at Premiere Props reads the Original Prop Blog, but if “authenticating” a fake prop as fake and still offering it for sale is what they thought I had in mind with my public “plea for authentication”, they could not have been more wrong. There is zero benefit to selling forgeries back into the marketplace, in my opinion, and the idea of including a COA “authenticating” a fake as a fake makes my head spin. If the fake fooled Premiere Props, is it responsible for them to continue to facilitate the sale of a piece that is widely regarded as problematic for those of us who make efforts to keep such pieces out of the marketplace? How about someone takes a hammer to it instead? [Read more…]

June 7, 2013 By Jason DeBord

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ Fertility Idols In The Marketplace Update 2013

With their latest “Entertainment Memorabilia” sale event in Knightsbridge on July 3rd, Bonhams is offering for public sale a second fertility idol attributed to use in Raiders of the Lost Ark with paperwork from industry veteran Kit West. Due to public interest in discussing iconic props from the Indiana Jones films, and confusion in the marketplace with regards to the provenance and authentication of such pieces, I thought it appropriate to update my ongoing series of articles on the topic with the new information and photos (see: Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idols In The Marketplace). [Read more…]

June 7, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Bonhams ‘Entertainment Memorabilia’ Auction to be Held in Knightsbridge, London on July 3rd, Catalog Available Online

Bonhams will be holding their next “Entertainment Memorabilia” (auction 20771) sale event in Knightsbridge on July 3rd. This sale includes a mix of film/television as well as music related memorabilia, with a total of 399 lots. [Read more…]

June 7, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Nate D. Sanders ‘Fine Autographs & Memorabilia′ Auction Catalog Available for Online Sale Ending June 27th

Nate D. Sanders will be concluding their next online auction on June 27th and the catalog for this event is available on their official site. Over 500 of more than 1,400 lots is material under the banner of “Hollywood”. The auction dealer had a landmark sale with memorabilia from the television program, Captain Kangaroo, last month, selling a “Dancing Bear Costume” for over $200,000 with buyer premium. This sale includes a lot of material previously owned by Milton Berle and a variety of Hollywood and historical memorabilia, including props, costumes, set pieces, awards, and other material. [Read more…]