eBay Vice President Jim Ambach announced today that eBay is discontinuing its Live Auction format services at the end of the year, citing an effort to improve “buying and selling experiences”. The “Live Auction” format differs from eBay’s traditional business model of scheduled, “online-only” auctions, and typically (as it relates to original props, wardrobe, and memorabilia auctions from movies and television) provides collectors the ability to bid on items auctioned “live” over the Internet, in real time, in lieu of being present at the actual auction event with people bidding in person, with the auctioneer recognizing “floor” bids, telephone bids, absentee bids, and online bids. [Read more…]
Superman Costumes in the Marketplace Round-Up: February, March, April
There has been a number of Superman costumes and costume components offered publicly in the marketplace via eBay since the last OPB updates in late January/early February. This is part of the ongoing series of articles about costumes in the marketplace attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“).
Here are the auctions since the start of February 2008. Some have been relisted one or more times. [Read more…]
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Releases 2007 Report
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released it’s 2007 Internet Crime Report last week.
The IC3 is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Per their webpage: [Read more…]
More On “Gremlins Prop Heads” Offered On eBay: February, March, April 2008
This is a follow-up to the two Gremlins articles last week (see “Gremlins Prop Head on eBay“, “…Update“).
The last article referenced a “Gremlins Prop Head” that was listed on eBay in February that was marketed as “used in the movie gremlins” that was “acquired directly from Warner Bros”. This item was listed and relisted by eBay member slimerhead13 and appeared to have been purchased by eBay member ovie86 and relisted [“AUTHENTIC Screen Used Gremlins Head Prop Puppet RARE!!!” (eBay Item #220217619870). [Read more…]
Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings, Version 1.0
This work product is part of the ongoing series of articles about costumes in the marketplace attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“).
What I have attempted to do is catalog the costumes offered for sale to the public by auction houses and by prop dealers on their commercial websites.
I have tried to capture as much of the key details of these offerings as possible to populate a matrix in an effort to share information with collectors about what has been offered for sale and the attributes of those costumes and costume parts. This also offers an opportunity to compare and contrast some of the characteristics of these costumes. Some also appear to have been sold and resold (based on matching wardrobe tags, for instance), as noted in the document.
Obviously, I am at the mercy of the quality and accuracy of the information used to market these pieces by auction houses, dealers, and their consignors, as applicable. In some cases, the information provided is vague and imprecise, so I would ask anyone using this document to please keep all of this in mind and to perform your own due diligence and verify all information to your own standards. I have not verified any of the information presented or claimed via the marketing and advertising of these pieces beyond what was noted in the applicable auction catalog and/or website. [Read more…]
Global Antiques, Auction Depot LA – Reader Experience With “Original” Casablanca Prop
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): [Read more…]
It’s A Wrap! “Annual Prop and Wardrobe Sale Extravaganza” – Los Angeles, April 10-14, 2008
It’s A Wrap! customers are reporting today receipt of the following announcement via e-mail: [Read more…]
Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA
For quite some time, as a collector of original props, searching the Original Props and Original Wardrobe categories on eBay, I have had to navigate and filter out the many, many listings from eBay seller “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1) and their offerings of “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 many items owned by John Wayne and other Hollywood stars.
It is quite staggering the number of pieces offered, month after month.
Using the eBay system, I did a search of what this seller has offered in just the last 30 days, limited to “Gone With The Wind”, and found 164 items (search conducted April 1st). 164 items from “Gone With The Wind”, which was filmed 70 years ago, listed on eBay in just a 30 day period. [Read more…]