The past week has been a significant one for the original television and movie prop, wardrobe, and asset art market, with two of the biggest dealers in the business having their own live auction events. This marked the first big live auction for Prop Store, which held it’s “Auction of Film & Television Artefacts” on the 16th, and Profiles in History had a multi-day event for their “Hollywood Auction 65” and their Expendables Auction (“Hollywood Auction 67 & 68” – yes, the naming/numbering is confusing… see prior article). With over 2,600 lots offered for sale collectively, it provides an opportunity for some analysis of each sale on its own merits as well as comparing and contrasting the different companies and their approach with the marketplace. [Read more…]
Prop Store Produces Quality Videos Showcasing Material from Their Upcoming “Live Auction of Film & Television Artefacts” on October 16th
In support of their upcoming live auction event, Prop Store has produced a number of high quality videos showcasing some of the props, costumes, vehicles, and other production items that comprise their “Live Auction of Film & Television Artefacts” sale, which will conclude on October 16th. I’ve often lamented the poor quality photos used by some of the auction houses in their respective auctions for television and movie memorabilia, so I thought the fact that Prop Store has gone to the other extreme – with extensive high definition videos – that it warranted a mention herein, as it is a positive step forward for this particular art market. [Read more…]
Prop Store’s “Live Auction of Film & Television Artefacts” to be Held on October 16th, Catalog Available Online
Prop Store will be holding their first live auction event in London on October 16th. The auction catalog is now available online via a PDF download and interactive catalog via their official website and collectors can bid through PropStore.com. Prop Store has been one of the few “quality” dealers in this market for many, many years, with a reputation to match, so seeing them get into the live auction “event” side of the business is a very positive development in my personal opinion. They have put together an excellent assortment of items for this auction (many of which have not been seen before and/or auctioned in public before) and the reserves are very, very reasonable (no “jackpot” reserves/estimates as I frequently complain about). The catalog is impressive (in design and layout), and they are including a standardized COA with each item. The online listings show many high quality images of each item. I think if you read the letter at the front of the catalog, you will see that Stephen Lane and Prop Store have a different set of experiences and perspectives on collecting compared with most other auction houses – there is passion and understanding as collectors. I wish them the best in their new endeavor. Hopefully their entrance to this arena will motivate other auction houses to improve their own businesses. I think collectors have been complaining about a number of facets of this business, and Prop Store has listened and addressed many of them with their first big auction, and I know that they are receptive to feedback and will build on what I expect will be a successful first event. [Read more…]
Heritage Auction Galleries ‘Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction’ Catalog Online, Beverly Hills Event To Be Held August 23
Heritage Auction Galleries has published on their latest online catalog and listings for their upcoming event, “Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction – Dallas #7092”, to be held on August 23rd in Beverly Hills. The bulk of the 649 items includes music and rock and roll items and vintage/classic Hollywood stars and personally owned items/estate items. [Read more…]
Nate D. Sanders Withdraws “Prototype” Star Wars Stormtrooper Prop Helmet with Andrew Ainsworth Provenance from Upcoming Auction
Four days ago, Original Prop Blog published an article (LINK) noting the Daily Mail wrote a piece promoting a Stormtrooper helmet auction in the Nate D. Sanders auction concluding this coming Thursday. The helmet had been described as a “prototype” from the original 1977 Star Wars film, with provenance from Andrew Ainsworth. Original Prop Blog has published a number of articles about these “prototype” helmets sold into the marketplace over the years, and reported in June that Christie’s withdrew one of these from their auctions at the time. Now, Nate D. Sanders has withdrawn this one from it’s own auction (though, as reported, it failed to sell in their March auction and in subsequent eBay auctions). [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2014: Prop Store Exhibitor Booth (#SDCC)
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2014. This is most definitely the most important Comic-Con appearance for Prop Store since their first exhibit back in 2008. They have managed to get a sizable upgrade in space from The Powers That Be at Comic-Con for 2014, and they have put all of that additional square footage to brilliant use, with a more open design and really elegant work in displaying their rare props and costumes with beautiful lighting. With the added visibility, Prop Store is using the opportunity to get the word out about their first live auction even later this year, to be held in London in October.
Daily Mail Piece on Nate D. Sanders “Super-Rare Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmet from Andrew Ainsworth’s Work on Star Wars
The Daily Mail must be an easy get for a puff piece on movie prop memorabilia, going by their latest article on the “prototype” stormtrooper helmet being put up for auction (again) by Nate D Sanders this month. It reads as though it was repurposed from the auction house material, without the benefit of any third party analysis or questions about the provenance of the item. A similar helmet was pulled from auction by Christie’s last month, and their have been questions raised about the background of these “prototype” stormtrooper helmets attributed to Andrew Ainsworth’s work on Star Wars: A New Hope going back for years now. [Read more…]
Prop Store Officially Announces Their First “Live Auction of Film & Television Artefacts”; To Take Place at Vue Westfield in London on October 16th
After 16 years in the business of selling original TV and movie props, costumes, and other Hollywood memorabilia, Prop Store will be holding it’s first live auction on October 16th, at Vue Westfield in London following a two week exhibition at Vue’s flagship cinema in Westfield, London. With 375 items set to hit the auction block, highlights include material from some of the top sci-fi and action film franchises including James Bond, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Terminator, Batman, and more. Prop Store has made the hardcover catalog available for pre-order on their site today. [Read more…]