“Cocksucker”… “Motherfucker”… “Asshole”… Just a few of the expletives shouted at me by Joe Maddalena, President of Profiles in History, on the floor of the main exhibit hall at Comic Con yesterday. I was in the midst of a friendly conversation with Brian Chanes and his 9 year old son, with my own 14 year old nephew standing behind me when Mr. Maddalena approached me and interrupted us, attacking me with “R-Rated” language in front of a crowd of onlookers. As registered press with Comic Con International, I had additionally been personally invited via e-mail by Profiles in History’s own public relations agent to do my annual report on their exhibit this year – “[w]e would appreciate your coverage” – so I have no idea what prompted the very public barrage of insults and being told “get out!” and “leave!”. He even shouted “you can quote me on that!” following some of the expletives. Regardless, their overall exhibit is probably the best it has ever looked, with fewer items, some nicely showcased in well-lit closed displays and larger ones in open air, with room to walk about and explore the collection of material associated with McCune Masterworks, who are co-branded with this year’s exhibition. The key piece on display was the fantastic screen-used Blockade Runner from the original Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope.
For all coverage of Comic-Con International: San Diego this year, click the link below…
I actually did complete my photography for this feature on Thursday – before the verbal assault from Mr. Maddalena on Friday – so I thought I would share those images as per usual. Mr. Maddelena watched me take photos on Thursday (you can see his reflection in some of my images below) and I have not published any article about the company since 2014 as they have had no auctions in 2015 to report on thus far, so I’m puzzled about what prompted the incident. My last question to Brian was, “so what here is actually going to be for sale [in their upcoming auction]?” and he never had a chance to respond, as that was the point at which our conversation was interrupted.
I have been reporting on Profiles in History as registered press at Comic Con International every year for the past eight years (see articles from 2008, 2009 Part 1 & 2009 Part 2, 2010 Part 1 & 2010 Part 2, 2011, 2012, 2013 Part 1 & 2013 Part 2, 2014).
Note that some items in the photos below are replicas (the X-Wing & Tie Fighter, for example); some are originals (like the Blockade Runner). I particularly loved the model Winnebago from Spaceballs.
Click on any photo to open a virtual lightbox with higher resolution copies of each image; further below is the personal press invitation and official press release sent to me by the Profiles public relations agent on July 6th…
Message and official press release from Profiles in History:
From: MJK Public Relations
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2015 12:50 PM
To: Jason De Bord
Subject: Comic-Con News: Additional Assemblage of Screen-Used “Star Wars” Items Added to Profiles in History’s Booth #1605 Display, Including a Rebel Trooper Helmet; Death Star Tower; Naboo BlasterDear Jason:
Due to tremendous press and fan response, Profiles in History is giving 2015 Comic-Con International: San Diego visitors a once-in-a-lifetime bonus. In addition to the previously announced screen-used ‘Blockade Runner” from Star Wars IV: A New Hope, visitors to the Profiles in History / McCune Masterworks booth #1605 will be treated to an additional, specially created assemblage of screen-used and production made props from the “Star Wars” film franchise, including:
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Screen-used Rebel Trooper Helmet
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Screen-used Death Star Tower
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Screen-used Naboo Blaster
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Jabba the Hutt maquette (production approval model for the design of Jabba’s character)
Darth Vader Prototype Helmet for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back John Mollo hand-colored costume designs of Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi
Please see the press release below for details.
You can find high resolution photos here: [LINK REMOVED]
We would appreciate your coverage.
Interviews with Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History, as well as Kathy McCune, President / Owner of McCune Masterworks, and Monty Shook, Project Manager of McCune Masterworks, who worked closely with Grant McCune as his model shop supervisor, are available prior to Comic-Con and at the Profiles in History Comic-Con booth, #1605, by upon request.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Marc Kruskol
~
PROFILES IN HISTORY TO GIVE COMIC-CON FANS AN EXTRA BONUS-“STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE” SCREEN-USED REBEL TROOPER HELMET; “STAR WARS: EPISODE VI – RETURN OF THE JEDI” SCREEN-USED DEATH STAR TOWER; “STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE” SCREEN-USED NABOO BLASTER AMONG AN ADDITIONAL SPECIALLY CREATED ASSEMBLAGE AT BOOTH #1605
Iconic Props Also Include a Darth Vader Prototype Helmet for “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back;” “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” Jabba the Hutt maquette (production approval model for the design of Jabba’s character) and “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” John Mollo hand-colored costume designs of Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi
For Immediate Release:
CALABASAS, CA-July 6, 2015-Due to tremendous press and fan response, Profiles in History is giving 2015 Comic-Con International: San Diego visitors a once-in-a-lifetime bonus. In addition to the previously announced screen-used ‘Blockade Runner” from Star Wars IV: A New Hope, visitors to the Profiles in History / McCune Masterworks booth #1605 will be treated to an additional specially created assemblage of screen-used and production made props from the “Star Wars” film franchise, which include:
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Screen-used Rebel Trooper Helmet
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Screen-used Death Star Tower
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Screen-used Naboo Blaster
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Jabba the Hutt maquette (production approval model for the design of Jabba’s character) Darth Vader Prototype Helmet for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back John Mollo hand-colored costume designs of Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi
These new “Star Wars” items will complement Profiles in History’s previously announced display of McCune Masterworks’ creations, which include the ‘Blockade Runner, the first flying ship audiences around the world saw hurtling through space in the opening sequence of the first Star Wars film, carrying Princess Leia, C-3PO and R2-D2 among its crew, a production made “X-Jet” miniature from X-Men 2 and a German U-Boat filming miniature replica from U-571. All three of these items will be offered as part of Profiles in History’s Fall Hollywood Auction,
As previously announced, other items on display include the Spaceballs “Winnebago” spaceship filming miniature and a selection of four incredible Musical Automata: “Survival of the Fittest” (Dodo Bird Evolving), “Confusion” (miniature Art Deco Theater plays movie), “Wired Exports” (Brass Armillary) and “Tender Credibility” (miniature Gold Mine Mountain), and a number of other original McCune Masterworks creations, plus, a preview of McCune Masterworks’ Nova Docking Station preliminary design, a customizable modular storage system for collectors of miniature scale spacecraft. The innovative design of the Nova Docking Station allows for the option to build an 8-foot tall space-themed exhibit with 5-7 modules to house your large, interstellar fleet; or collect one module at a time and customize as desired. Arrangement of modules can be configured to each collector’s taste. The docking bays and arms include lighting and power jacks. The Nova Docking Station is ideal for spacecraft models from leading brands, as well as other scale model craft. Comic Con visitors will be the first to have the unique opportunity of giving feedback on the preliminary design to the creators from McCune Masterworks. Those participating will receive free gifts and will be entered into daily prize giveaways including Limited Edition Behind the Scenes Photos from the special effects filming of the original Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, as well as spaceship models from leading brands.
“We are thrilled to promote McCune Masterworks at our booth at Comic-Con this year. The public debut of Princess Leia’s Blockade Runner – the first spaceship seen in the original Star Wars film – will be great for all the fans to see. In addition, we want the world to know about Grant’s legacy and the fantastic creations of McCune Masterworks. Their creativity and craftsmanship is beyond reproach – they can literally build anything that you can imagine,” says Joe Maddalena, President, CEO of Profiles in History
For more information about McCune Masterworks, please visit: www.mccunemasterworks.com/
###
About Profiles In History: Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the nation’s leading dealer of guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts and original Hollywood Memorabilia.
Jason DeBord