This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2014. As per tradition, Hollywood memorabilia auction house Profiles in History are exhibiting at their usual space, Booth #1605. I’ve been attending Comic-Con since 1987, and have been covering it on the Original Prop Blog since 2008, and if I’m honest, I would say this is their most disappointing showing to date. The entire back wall are costumes for the Expendables franchise (which, if you haven’t seen the film(s), isn’t too exciting). With what little space is left, there is not too much to impress… and I think that this is maybe the second or third year running where the big promo is a signing from Sean Astin. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 62′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event December 21st
Profiles in History’s Winter auction catalog, “Hollywood Auction 62”, is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This sale is scheduled for December 21st at their Calabasas Hills facility. Kudos to Profiles, as it seems that they generally have changed their reserves/estimates strategy on much of the catalog, and steered away from the hopeful jackpot estimates that have plagued their sales more and more in the past year or two. It is another massive catalog, and though a good portion of it is familiar, there are some really interesting pieces in the Western Costume and Sound of Music sections in particular. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 56’, ‘Dreier Collection, Part 2’ Post Auction Reaction – Update on “Jackpot Reserves/Estimates Finally Out of Control?” (8 Months Later)
Profiles in History had a tremendously heavy auction schedule at the end of July, holding no less than four auctions across five consecutive days (Property from the Estate of Milton H. Greene on 7/27, Hollywood Auction 56 on 7/28-7/29, The Dreier Collection Part 2 on 7/30, and their Animation Auction 58 on 7/31), though they also held their Rare Books and Manuscripts Auction 55 earlier in July, and had their huge San Diego Comic Con display in-between sale events. These were their first big sales of 2013 (apart from the awkwardly titled, adjective-heavy The Property of a Distinguished American Private Collector, Part 2). The last of their traditional Hollywood Auction events was in December of last year and, as written at the time, it seemed to indicate a collision of escalating reserves/estimates and some push back from the marketplace on the same. Taking a top down view of these latest sales, the same mixed bag would seem to now be a trend, rather than a one off occurrence. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2013: Video Interview with Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History
Joe Maddalena of Profiles in History took the time to talk about his company and upcoming auctions at Comic Con International: San Diego this weekend. Below is the video interview… [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2013: Profiles in History Exhibitor Booth
A long time exhibitor at Comic Con International: San Diego, the original props and costumes from film and television on display with Profiles in History this year are pieces on the auction block for their sales happening this month – Hollywood Auction 56 and The Dreier Collection, Part 2. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘The Dreier Collection, Part 2′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event July 30th
Profiles in History’s ‘Dreier Collection, Part 2’ auction catalog is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This auction is scheduled for July 30th at their Calabasas Hills facility. The ‘Dreier Collection, Part 1’, was held around the same time last year. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 56′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event July 28-29
Profiles in History’s Summer auction catalog, “Hollywood Auction 56” is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This sale is scheduled for July 28th & 29th at their Calabasas Hills facility. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 53’ Results in Passed Lots, A Few Surprises; “Jackpot” Reserves/Estimates Finally Out of Control?
I have been traveling for the past week, so did not personally watch the latest Profiles in History sale (“Hollywood Auction 53”) live, but received a number of e-mails and texts from others in this art market commenting about the overall “lackluster” and “disappointing” results of the event, though there were a few surprises and stand out pieces (such as the Lord of the Rings Legolas bow going for $372,000 with Buyer’s Premium, Kate Winslet’s dress from Titanic selling for $330,000 with BP, and an X-Wing model from Star Wars realizing approximately $270,000 with BP). Based on a spreadsheet compiled by a friend, focusing on Lots 433-902 (the second half of the catalog, following classic Hollywood photos, etc.), about 40% of the items were not sold. [Read more…]