As noted previously, Premiere Props is holding another Hollywood Roadshow live auction event next weekend.
Interestingly, I received an e-mail promoting the event earlier today which advertises the offering of an original Duros mask from Star Wars: A New Hope:
The e-mail-based marketing piece states:
Just added to the auction block! An extremely rare 1977 Star Wars New Hope, Doros head is being offered on auction for the first time in over 10 years. This piece is in excellent condition and is protected by the most perfect climate control available and comes in a display case for added protection. Definitely a piece that will increase in value over the years.
Though the character name is misspelled in both references (as “Doros” rather than “Duros”), I immediately recognized the photo used in the e-mail from Premiere Props as the exact same photo used to market a Duros mask on the dealer website Bedlum.net (“The Williams Collection”).
This Duros mask is currently offered for sale on the Bedlum.net website at a price of $40,000, and has been listed for over a year (see October 16, 2006 entry at Archive.org).
Please compare the following photos:
The Duros mask was listed on eBay Live Auctions tonight (see listing #220170849357, “1121: STAR WARS Duros Head MOVIE PROPS“) under the “Entertainment Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Props -> Originals” category:
From the Premiere Props eBay listing marketing description:
STAR WARS – A NEW HOPE – LAINE LISKA’S DUROS HEAD from the “Cantina”. This was originally owned by Laine Liska, who was part of Rick Bakers ‘model effects’ team on “A New Hope”. Rick Baker was in charge of the “Cantina” re-shoots in the summer of 1976, after Lucas was very underwhelmed by the scenes shot at Elstree, London, the previous year. Liska had this ‘Duros’ head since the filming of the movie.
It is made of latex, with solid epoxy eyes. It was foam filled post production, ensuring that the head would never shrink, and it also help to keep it from drying out and cracking. There is some minor hardening and cracking around the neckline, which is expected from a piece nearly 30 years old. The rest of the mask is in great condition.
Laine Liska gifted this piece to a good friend of his in the business. He is a play writer and journalist. He has worked on various productions, including TV projects relating to the Peter Jackson’s ‘King Kong’, the ‘Alien legacy’ and ‘The Omen’ films. He also writes for ‘Entertainment Weekly’, ‘Premiere’ magazine and many more. A respected member of the industry. Laine gifted this head to him when they were working together on the ‘Aliens’ project. It had remained in his collection until last year when he sold it.
This is the marketing employed for the Duros mask offered at Bedlum.net, which is still available for viewing at Bedlum.net:
From the Bedlum.net dealer website marketing description:
It was originally owned by Laine Liska, who was part of Rick Bakers ‘model effects’ team on A New Hope. Rick Baker was in charge of the cantina reshoots in the summer of 1976, after Lucas was very underwhelmed by the scenes shot at Elstree, London, the previous year. Liska had had this ‘Duros’ head since the filming of the movie.
It is made of latex, with solid epoxy eyes. It was foam filled post production, ensuring that the head would never shrink, and it also helps keep it from drying out and cracking. There is some minor hardening and cracking around the neckline, but thats to be expected from a piece nearly 30 years old. The rest of the mask is very supple, great condition.
Onto ownership: Laine Liska gifted the piece to a good freind of his in the business. he is a playwrite and journalist. He has worked on various productions, including TV projects relating to the Peter Jacksons ‘King Kong’, the ‘Alien legacy’ and ‘The Omen’ films. He also writes for ‘Entertainment Weekly’, ‘Premiere’ magazine and many more. A respected member of the industry. Laine gifted this head to him when they were working together on the ‘Aliens’ project. It had remained in his collection until last year when he sold it.FULL DISCLOSER will be given to the owner, On his request he wishes his name not to be publicly mentioned. However I do have a few people over in england who can verify that the piece is good and who its coming from is a BIG NAME in the business.
It comes with a LETTER with his Business letterhead confirming that it was owned by Liska, from the time of production on Star Wars – A New Hope. so he can be contacted at anytime after you buy it.
A unused Greedo mask sold at PROFILES IN HISTORY not too long ago for around $45,000.00 so we can say that Studio Production masks ( screen used or not) for NEW HOPE are VERY VERY RARE, and are highly sot after.
This mask is one of only 3 that EXIST. The two screen used ones are both owned by Phil Tippet . This one is not screen used but was production made and that’s why this one is in such awesome condition. LAINE LISKA really took good care of this piece and kept it under glass for the time he owned it. I have gone out and had a brand new one made just for this piece.
To Further authenticate this piece- Paul Harison handled this mask when it pasted through the UK. Paul then sent it over to one of my best of freinds there and then it came to me. So Paul is aware of the mask and where it came from.Dont ask about tradeing, I WILL NOT TRADE THIS PIECE.
Note that Mr. Hubbard clearly states that this piece is, in his opinion, “not screen used” (i.e. an unfilmed production piece), which is not noted in the Premiere Props auction listing, though nearly the entire Premiere Props description is copied (though edited) from the Bedlum.net description.
I did consult an expert on original Star Wars masks about this specific mask a year ago to learn his opinion regarding authenticity. Though it does appear to come from the original molds, it would be difficult to establish if it was produced during the production of A New Hope and intended for use in that production (i.e. “Original”) or if it was produced post production. Another challenge would be the determination of when it was finished/painted.
Also of interest, from the current Bedlum.net website, under “ALL SALES ARE FINAL!!!!!” (Link to Bedlum.net):
Every so often we are offered props from Star Wars. Many of these props are ok and are good to sell anywhere. However there are some that are gifted out or where taken from the trash or found on location outside the studio after they left the area ,and or else where. As long as we know that it was not outright stolen then we will sell it. ( we will find out if it is) However If we tell you to be careful about where you sell a piece its a good idea NOT to sell it on ebay or other major auction houses, then take this warning. Lucas has a habit to reclaim props it FEELS is still theirs. knowing what ALL of these things are is NEVER clear. If you do buy one of these props from us and you sell in auction without taking our warning. This will pass but you have to give Lucas film a few years after part 3 is done with for them to chill out.
WE WILL NOT refund your money nor give any kind of exchange. we feel that you should just sell it in private. Props that we get from elstree (paul harison) are always ok and you may sell it as you wish.
Interesting that there is a written warning against selling “on ebay or other major auction houses” some of those Star Wars props marketed on the Bedlum.net website, considering such a piece now appears to be offered through an auction house and on eBay while it is concurrently marketed on the Bedlum.net website.
In any event, it is interesting how Mr. Hubbard frames the ownership rights of these Star Wars pieces that have been offered on his website, and curious that Premiere Props would bring such a piece into their live auction business (using the same photo and edited marketing description).
Of course, of particular interest is this transition by Premiere Props of historically selling props and wardrobe obtained directly from the studios with studio endorsement, compared with this new development of entering the resale space, in which props from private collections and other indirect/non-studio sources are offered for sale to the public.
In my opinion, Premiere Props is widely viewed by collectors as a Studio Reseller – selling product obtained directly from the studios and with official studio permission – not as a Professional Dealer employing authentication expertise to determine the provenance of pieces obtained from various non-studio sources, on a case-by-case basis.
Did Premiere Props research the authenticity of the piece (i.e. is it “Original”)?
Did Premiere Props rely entirely on the word of the seller/consignor as to authenticity, or employ a third party authenticator, or does it possess such resources in-house?
Did Premiere Props clear any potential legal ownership issues regarding the piece, as it relates to LucasFilm, if it is indeed an “Original” production piece?
Reviewing both the Premiere Props website (www.premiereprops.com) and the Hollywood Roadshow website (www.hollywoodroadshow.com), all of the information available to interested consumers characterizes Premiere Props/Hollywood Roadshow as selling “Original” props and wardrobe that are obtained directly from the studios with permission from the studios.
Premiere Props Authenticity (Link to Premiere Props):
Authenticity
Every piece of movie memorabilia sold from Premiere Props includes a special signed Certificate of Authenticity to ensure the integrity of each item. Premiere Props works directly with major film studios and production companies, and each Certificate of Authenticity is the official document to accompany every collectible.Premiere Props is proud to offer one-of-a-kind genuine movie props and movie costumes. This is why each Certificate of Authenticity is presented with an embossed Premiere Props stamp that also represents the movie studio’s seal of approval, and preserves the authenticity of these truly unique screen used movie props and costumes, which come direct from the set for you to enjoy for years to come!
Premiere Props Frequently Asked Questions (Link to Premiere Props):
How does Premiere Props obtain movie props and wardrobe?
Premiere Props deals directly with the movie studios and production companies. Our staff are sent to movie sets to inventory the various props and prepare them for shipping to our warehouses. Once shipped, the props are catalogued, photographed and ready for sale.
Hollywood Roadshow Terms and Conditions (Link to Hollywood Roadshow):
All items include a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Premiere Props. All items come directly from the set of the film and are 100% guaranteed authentic.
This claim is repeated in the Terms and Conditions in this specific Star Wars Duros mask auction listing as well:
Also of relevance from the Terms and Conditions:
All goods are sold “AS IS, WHERE IS” with no warranties or guarantees “WITHOUT RECOURSE”.
The offering of this Star Wars: A New Hope Cantina mask by Premiere Props, via the Hollywood Roadshow event, is an interesting development in the hobby.
Jason De Bord