Raiders of the Lost Ark

November 6, 2014 By Jason DeBord

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ Movie Prop Fertility Idols In The Marketplace Update 2014

This is an update to the 2013 version of this same article. As with that 2013 feature, this one is prompted by another Bonhams auction offering for a fertility idol attributed to use in Raiders of the Lost Ark , this one referencing back to one of their older auctions in 2005. 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

‘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…]

July 19, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Harrison/Elstree Props/Norank: Raiders of the Lost Ark ‘Staff of Ra’ Headpiece Props in the Marketplace

As a continuation of recent articles, the focus of this feature is the recent activity in the marketplace concerning the “Staff of Ra” headpiece props attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark – all of which appear to have originated from the Harrison family (who retired from and sold the “Elstree Props” business in early 2008 and now sell unlicensed replica props as “Norank Engineering” and on eBay as “unisusu”). With one purchased for $450 and another offered for resale for $30,000 (along with a German hat), it certainly raises a number of questions and concerns, and warrants investigation, debate, and discussion. [Read more…]

July 10, 2009 By Jason DeBord

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Return to Oz’, Return to eBay, and Return of The Harrisons (formerly “Elstree Props”) from Retirement?

eBay seller “unisusu“, who has identified himself as Luke Harrison, grandson of Norman Harrison and son of Paul Harrison, has been selling entertainment memorabilia with Norank Engineering/Elstree Props/”Danziger Collection” lineage/provenance. Also of interest is the website norank.co.uk, more presumably unlicensed replica props attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark, a large supply of gold-plated “production made” crew gifts from Walt Disney’s Return to Oz, and other newly produced (presumably unlicensed) “for sale” replica pieces from the same film. [Read more…]

February 2, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Elstree Props, Fertility Idols, Light Gods, Danziger Collection COAs (Multiple Topic Update)

This article serves as an update to a number of prior articles related to Elstree Props, “The Danziger Collection” Certificates of Authenticity, “Light God” wall plaque props from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the “Fertility Idols” marketed as authentic from the same film. [Read more…]

January 28, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Raiders of the Lost Ark Fetility Idols In The Marketplace – Update

This is an update to an article published last week which raised questions of provenance about prop “fertility idols” attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark that have been circulating in the marketplace, along with related issues. [Read more…]

January 23, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Raiders of the Lost Ark Fertility Idols In The Marketplace (“The Danziger Collection”, “Elstree Film Studios”)

In November 2007, a “fertility idol” attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Nick Harrison of “Elstree Film Studios” as part of the “Danziger Collection”, was listed for sale on eBay as “an original” that was “used in the production”. A second, different fertility idol was listed on eBay yesterday with the same paperwork and provenance. [Read more…]

December 12, 2007 By Jason DeBord

Raiders of the Lost Ark “God of Light” Prop Wall Plaque – Update 2

As noted in the first two articles (see “Raiders of the Lost Ark “God of Light” Prop Wall Plaque” and “Update“), there was confusion over a Raiders of the Lost Ark wall plaque offered in Profiles in History that matches one seen on YourProps.com listed as a replica casting attributed to Elstree Props, and subsequently these have been found to have been sold openly and in quantity by Elstree Props on eBay and SpecialistAuctions. Since the posting of the original article, it seems those replica auctions have stopped. [Read more…]