As reported in the Chicago Tribune (“Collector given 12 years in prison for selling phony sports memorabilia“), John Rogers of Arkansas received a long sentence following his 45-minute statement to the court asking for leniency, at one point stating “I don’t deserve a break, but I’m asking you for one”. Rogers plead guilty to one count of wire fraud in March. Judge Dirkin said his fraud scheme was “breathtaking” and that Rogers “literally told thousands of lies to honest people to have them part with their money”. [Read more…]
KTNV13 Call For Action “Digging Into The Murky World of Memorabilia” Video Report
KTNV13 Call For Action broadcast this report on autographed and collectible memorabilia on their local ABC affiliate station in Las Vegas, and has also made the video available on their official website. The story discusses autographs and collector Steve Comolli’s purchases of memorabilia from Antiquities International in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The report claims he purchased $20,000 worth of autographed memorabilia – “most” of it from Antiquities – and then tried to sell through Julien’s Auctions and Heritage Auction Galleries and that they “could not authenticate” what he wanted to sell through them. [Read more…]
California Assembly Continues To Confuse and Confound Marketplace with New Legislative “Fixes” to Autograph Law
The Original Prop Blog is more confused than ever with the ever evolving and changing law in California pertaining to the sale and purchase of autographed memorabilia. Governor Jerry Brown signed new changes into law in October, and rather than starting over with a new law that makes sense, they continue to tinker with the existing one which is just a terribly written (though well-intended) piece of legislation. Honestly, it’s gotten to the point where reading these bills and referencing back to the previous laws that the new fixes are supposed to… fix… just continue to make things more and more confusing. Confusing isn’t a strong enough word. Confounding? [Read more…]
Screenbid’s “The Official Spider-Man: Homecoming Suit Auction” Benefiting Toys for Tots
Arguably the most exciting piece that ScreenBid has brought to auction to date is this original Spider-Man costume worn by Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE). The timed online-only auction is scheduled to end on December 18th at 6:00 AM PST. 90% of the hammer price from the auction (prior to 24% buyer’s premium) will benefit Toys for Tots Foundation. [Read more…]
Nice Denver Post Piece on Colin Cantwell, “He Kept His Star Wars Legacy a Secret… for Decades”
The Denver Post published a nice piece by John Wenzel about Colin Cantwell last week, going over his contributions to Star Wars: A New Hope and other accomplishments. You can check it out on their official website: “He kept his Star Wars legacy a secret in Boulder for decades. At 85, the sci-fi pioneer is ready to step out.“ [Read more…]
Bonhams Breaks Auction Records with $5.375 Million for “Robby the Robot” Movie Prop From “Forbidden Planet”
Bonhams today sold a collection of movie props from the 1956 science fiction classic film “Forbidden Planet”, with “Robby the Robot” as the centerpiece”, for an astounding $5.375 million dollars (including buyer premium). Part of their “TCM Presents… Out of This World! auction” in New York, the auction house has declared it is a world record as “the most valuable movie prop ever sold at auction”. [Read more…]
Profiles in History “Superman: The Auction” Coming December 19th
Profiles in History will be holding their “Superman: The Auction” event on December 19th. Included are some costumes and props from a variety of Superman franchise related film and television properties. The sale includes 73 lots in total. Participants can bid online at Invaluable.com. [Read more…]
Ewbanks “Ray Harryhausen – The Personal Collection of Tony Dalton” Auction Happening December 13th
Ewbanks in England will be holding their “Ray Harryhausen – The Personal Collection of Tony Dalton” auction. The catalog is now available online and you can check out the 140 lots from Tony Dalton, friend of Ray Harryhausen and his biographer. [Read more…]