Movie Prop Collecting with Jason DeBord's Original Prop Blog Film & TV Prop, Costume, Hollywood Memorablia Pop Culture Resource

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U.S. Supreme Court Examines Constitution’s Second Amendment, Right to Bear Arms

There has been much anticipation since last year over the U.S. Supreme Court’s examination of the Second Amendment to the Constitution – the “right to bear arms”. The case stems from a challenge to the constitutionality of the handgun ban in Washington D.C.

Since I have given some coverage to the restrictions on weapons in the UK (see “Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK“, “…Update“, “The Last Samurai? UK to Ban “Imitation” Swords…“, “More Potential Restrictions in the UK – Deactivated Firearms May Be Banned“), which has had some impact on original prop collectors, I thought this was equally newsworthy. [Read more…]

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Third Wave of NBC Universal Studio Auctions Live

NBC Universal is hosting a third wave of direct from the studio auctions starting today, March 3, 2008. The first two sets of auctions listed included original props, wardrobe, and set-pieces from Heroes, The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, and Las Vegas.

This wave of auctions includes offerings from Heroes, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Law & Order (New to Auction), and The Jay Leno Show (New to Auction). Present previously but missing this time are pieces from The Office and Las Vegas (this series is now canceled). [Read more…]

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LFL Files Suit Against GenCon for Nearly $1M – Failure to Deliver Proceeds of Charity Auction from Celebration IV

LucasFilm LTD filed suit against Gen Con LLC for “breach of contract, conversion, and unjust enrichment” in regards to the Star Wars Celebration IV convention held in Los Angeles in May 2007.

According to the suit, LFL provided rare Star Wars memorabilia from the Archive to be auctioned (via a live auction and a silent auction) at the Celebration fan convention, with the net proceeds of the charity intended for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Per the suit, the auction events raised “at least $150,000 from the sale of LFL’s archive items”. [Read more…]

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Deactivated Firearms & UK Restrictions – Update

This is a follow-up to an article posted a few days ago, “More Potential Restrictions in the UK – Deactivated Firearms May Be Banned“, which referenced an article from the Press Association reporting on the Home Secretary commenting about outlawing deactivated firearms.

Also of interest are previous reports about restrictions in the UK – “Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK” and the “Update” to that article – which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of that legislation on prop collectors and dealers.

Stephen Lane of The Prop Store of London has provided some additional information today in regards to these developments, and a request of UK-based original prop hobbyists that have deactivated firearms in their collections: [Read more…]

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More Potential Restrictions in the UK – Deactivated Firearms May Be Banned

This is an pertinent to the prior articles (Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK, the Update to that article), which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of this legislation on prop collectors and dealers. Thanks to Simon Lee of DieHardProps.com for the heads up on this new development. [Read more…]

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The Last Samurai? UK to Ban “Imitation” Swords…

According to recent news reports, there is a plan to outlaw replica and imitation Samurai swords in England beginning April 2008. Under this plan, those in violation of this proposed law will face stiff fines and up to six months in jail. It appears that exemptions will include genuine Japanese swords owned by collectors and enthusiasts.

This is an interesting development, following the October 1, 2007 implementation of new laws in the UK restricting the manufacture, import, and sale of imitation firearms under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (see “Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK“).

Obviously, this trend of banning replica/imitation firearms and now certain bladed weapons does have an impact on the collection of original props for hobbyists in the UK. [Read more…]

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Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK: Update

This is an update to the prior article (Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK), which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of this legislation on prop collectors and dealers. [Read more…]

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Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK

I’ve always been interested in the laws, rules, customs, and perspectives revolving around the importation and/or ownership of “live fire” (i.e. “real”) firearms into the UK.

Because this is a varied, multi-faceted topic with many different opinions and areas of expertise, I thought it would be interesting to open a dialogue of sorts, though a blog doesn’t lend itself to such. In any event, I’ve been corresponding with Adam Bosman (sharpsticks on the Movie Prop Forum) about these issues. As a UK citizen, he has done some research, which he has given me permission to share here: [Read more…]