A reader of the Original Prop Blog has posted a “Reader Comment” in response to an article posted a few days ago, “Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA“.
As discussed in the last article, “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1 on eBay) offers a large number of items on a regular basis, consigned and authenticated by “Global Antiques”, that are described as “original” and “authentic” props from “Gone With The Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “The I Love Lucy Show”, “James Bond”, “Lord of the Rings”, and other films, as well and many items marketed as owned by John Wayne and other Hollywood stars.
This reader posted the following “Reader Comment” in the last article about his experiences transacting with Auction Depot LA (LINK):
I have found the above referenced auction listing on eBay for the “CASABLANCA FILM PROP ORIGINAL GLASS/ METAL CONTAINER” – eBay Item #330215364923:
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay listing – auctiondepotla1 “CASABLANCA FILM PROP ORIGINAL GLASS/METAL CONTAINER”
In reading the actual auction description, it states:
Casablanca was released in 1942 [see IMdb].
West Germany was founded in 1949 [see Reference.com].
The reader who posted the comment that purchased this piece from Auction Depot Los Angeles sent me the following close-up photo of the sticker:
This is a photo from the auction showing the same sticker:
Jason De Bord
April 4th, 2008 at 12:57 am e
I am a new collector. When I say new, what I mean is that the items I am going to describe below were the very first “movie props” I had ever purchased. Therefore, its safe to say that I know very little about how to authenticate purchases claimed to be authentic, other than to use my own common sense.I am a huge Humphrey Bogart fan. I decided to purchase something authentic to Bogart or his movies. I came across many listings on ebay marketed by AuctionDepotLA. A couple of these caught my eye. An authentic Silver Serving Tray from the movie Casablanca (1942) as well as a glass container with a metal lid, similar to a vase or liquor jar, from the movie Casablanca (1942). Both were listed with photos showing the item and Certificate of Authenticity exactly as your site here shows it in the blog. I won the Silver Serving Tray item for $80.00 + Shipping, which was around $20.00. So in total, the item cost me $100.00. The item was shipped in about 14 days. I was satisfied with the item when it arrived and had no reason to suspect its authenticity. However, a week later, I bid on the second item, which was the glass vase, also from the movie Casablanca (1942). I won this item for nearly the same price as the first. Around $100.00 including shipping. The second item arrived around 14 days later and appeared to be as advertised. The items appeared old, and worn, as they should. I was preparing to have them framed or shadow boxed and displayed with a few other Bogart items I had bought from various places, ie. an autograph, signed Photo, and some other Casablanca memorabilia. My intention was to sell this whole display for profit, although I must admit, this may not have happened as I might not been able to part with it once all completed. Nevertheless, I was looking over the item a couple nights later, curious as to finding anything that might hint at its dating, origin, etc. RIght there on the tarnished silve lid was a small red sticker, The sticker said Fabrique in RFA and Made in W GERMANY. As soon as I saw this, I knew I had bought a fake. West Germany was not even established until 1947, after WWII, which ironically is what the movie Casablanca is based on.
I woke the next morning, and called AuctionDepot, and spoke with a gentleman who was very polite and understanding. He immediately offered a complete refund, including shipping costs. I asked him how this could happen, and he answered it was mislabeled. Well, My first response to this was, isnt that what the COAs are for? What good is a COA if an item can so easily be mislabeled, sold for hundreds of dollars? I did not get a satisfactory answer to that question, and besides, he had offered a complete refund already. However, now I strongly suspect the other item I bought to be fake as well, although I could never prove it.
Having seen the article on this blog site, I recall seeing dozens of items from other movies from AuctionDepotLA. A few show up each night it seems. From the biggest movies of the screen. Movies 40-50-60 years old. Items that one would think would be extremely rare in such numbers. My view on all this is that AuctionDepotLA sells items via proxy from Global Antiques who issues the COAs. This protects AuctionDepotLA, as they are not the actual seller. They merely work on consignment to sell for Global. When I asked to verify the other item from Global directly I was told they could not allow me to do so, as their actual seller is private and confidental.
All in All, It is my opinion that MANY, if not MOST items sold on ebay as “authentic”, unless presented with extremely good proof of authenticity, are fakes. I will likely not purchase any more props online again.
Regards,