This is a Part 2 follow-up to my last YouTube video taking a close-up look at the “[o]riginal production used “Luke Skywalker” lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope from the collection of Oscar-winning set decorator Roger Christian” featured in the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 96” taking place on December 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. This latest video primarily looks at the discrepancies between the lightsaber depicted in the Letter of Authenticity (LOA) and the lightsaber depicted in the auction catalog, in the online iCollector listing, and that was on display at San Diego Comic Con earlier this year. [Read more…]
YouTube Close-Up Look – Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 96” Luke Skywalker Lightsaber from Star Wars: A New Hope
This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube videos, with this one taking a close-up look at the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 96” taking place on December 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. As a follow-up to the previously posted overall preview of the auction, this latest video editorial specifically takes a closer look at Lot 1479 described as the “[o]riginal production used “Luke Skywalker” lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope from the collection of Oscar-winning set decorator Roger Christian”. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2018: Profiles in History Movie Props and Costumes Exhibit Showcases Future Auction Highlights
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2018. Profiles in History has been exhibiting at Comic-Con for many, many years, and on exhibit were movie props for the most part, from an as yet to be announced live auction. The pieces ticked the boxes of many of their favorite franchises – Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Terminator, X-Men, Wizard of Oz, etc. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2018: Prop Store TV & Movie Props and Costumes Exhibit Promotes Upcoming Live Auction
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2018. Prop Store continues to put together impressive exhibits at Comic Con, and 2018 might be their best yet. Most of the space in 2018 is dedicated to their “Treasures From Film and Television” live auction in London on September 20th. Also on display are some masks from their current online exclusive Power Rangers auction. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2018: “Solo: A Star Wars Story” Costume Exhibit
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2018. There was a large area of the main Exhibit Hall carved out for all things Star Wars, and as has been tradition, they had costumes from their most recent film on display, in this case from Solo: A Star Wars Story. [Read more…]
Han Solo Blaster from “Return of the Jedi” Sold By Julien’s Auctions for $550,000 to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
As mentioned back in April, I had assisted Julien’s Auctions in cataloging “The James L. Schoppe Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Production Archive” that was featured in their “Hollywood Legends” auction this past weekend at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The highlight of the collection was an original Han Solo blaster movie prop from Return of the Jedi; James Schoppe served as the Art Director on the film, and was gifted several original props at the conclusion of the film production. The collection was sold in live auction on Saturday, June 23rd, and the Han Solo blaster sold for $550,000 including Buyer’s Premium, and the winning bidder was Ripley’s Believe it or Not. I was actually present for the auction, as well as shot video of some of the lots, so I thought I would share a few thoughts as well as the video of the Han Solo blaster selling [Read more…]
“The Star Wars Collection” Highlights Prop Store’s “Cinema Poster Live Auction” in London and Online on June 28th
As mentioned last month, this week Prop Store is holding their first auction focusing on posters. The Cinema Poster Live Auction in London on June 28th. The principals behind Prop Store are well known for their love of Star Wars, so it is not surprising that their first poster sale features some significant pieces from the franchise, and what they star is “the most extensive collection of Star Wars posters ever to be offered on the open market”. There is also an exhibit at London Odeon BFI IMAX cinema. [Read more…]
Andrew Ainsworth Still Taking Credit For The Work Of Others, Compares Himself To Michelangelo…
The Daily Express have published a puff piece about Andrew Ainsworth (“the designer of the original stormtrooper”) today in an article by Gabriella Geisinger (see “How the Stormtrooper became Star Wars icon ‘More popular than Michelangelo’s David'”). Ainsworth even compares himself to Michelangelo. In the article, Ainsworth gives passing mention to Ralph McQuarrie for his original “sketch” of the Stormtrooper, and as in past interviews of course no mention at all of Liz Moore (who was responsible for the original Stormtrooper helmet sculpt) or Brian Muir (who was the first to sculpt armor parts). And no mention of John Barry, (the production designer) or John Mollo (the wardrobe designer) who were also part of the team that created the Stormtrooper. To be fair, Ainsworth deserves credit for what he did contribute to the original Star Wars film… but he always seems eager to take much more credit than is due. [Read more…]