A customer of Profiles in History, Dwight Manley, has this week filed a lawsuit against the auction house in Los Angeles Superior Court. Manley is suing over a costume worn by James Gandolfini in the final episode of The Sopranos, and has also named The Golden Closet as a Defendant as the company was the consignor of the item in question. His complaint alleges fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of express warranty. [Read more…]
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2016. This year, auction house Profiles in History had an all-artwork exhibit, with pieces from their upcoming Frank Darabont Collection on display, including Frank Frazetta works among the highlights. Profiles has marketed “Sea Witch” as “The Only Million Dollar Art Piece at Comic-Con” and “The Single Most Important and Most Valuable Frazetta Painting to EVER be Offered At Auction (pre-sale estimate of $1,000,000 – $1,500,000)”, so it will be interesting to see if it meets the reserve at the July 30th auction. I have been reporting on Profiles in History as registered press at Comic Con International every year for the past nine years (see articles from 2008, 2009 Part 1 & 2009 Part 2, 2010 Part 1 & 2010 Part 2, 2011, 2012, 2013 Part 1 & 2013 Part 2, 2014, 2015), but this is the first in which they did not exhibit any TV and/or movie props and costumes. [Read more…]
“Cocksucker”… “Motherfucker”… “Asshole”… Just a few of the expletives shouted at me by Joe Maddalena, President of Profiles in History, on the floor of the main exhibit hall at Comic Con yesterday. I was in the midst of a friendly conversation with Brian Chanes and his 9 year old son, with my own 14 year old nephew standing behind me when Mr. Maddalena approached me and interrupted us, attacking me with “R-Rated” language in front of a crowd of onlookers. As registered press with Comic Con International, I had additionally been personally invited via e-mail by Profiles in History’s own public relations agent to do my annual report on their exhibit this year – “[w]e would appreciate your coverage” – so I have no idea what prompted the very public barrage of insults and being told “get out!” and “leave!”. He even shouted “you can quote me on that!” following some of the expletives. Regardless, their overall exhibit is probably the best it has ever looked, with fewer items, some nicely showcased in well-lit closed displays and larger ones in open air, with room to walk about and explore the collection of material associated with McCune Masterworks, who are co-branded with this year’s exhibition. The key piece on display was the fantastic screen-used Blockade Runner from the original Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope. [Read more…]