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.
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…]
James Comisar Featured in Latest Issue of American Way Magazine with His “Magnificent Obsession”
Renowned pop culture expect and collector James Comisar is featured in the latest issue of American Way magazine, in an article called “Magnificent Obsession” by Ken Wysocky. It provides an excellent overview into Mr. Comisar’s backgrounds and origins in collecting as well as his future objectives in establishing his Museum of Television. [Read more…]
Profiles in History Gobbles Up “Hollywood Parts”, Refashions as “Hollywood P.R.I.M.E.”, and Takes Aim at Premiere Props?
Mike Filonczuk today announced the closure of his business, Hollywood Parts, and his new venture with industry heavyweight Profiles History: Hollywood P.R.I.M.E. (Production Resources International Management for Entertainment). While details are sparse and the former company’s website is now gone, based on their own description, it looks like the event auction house is looking to move into territory and business models more akin to competitors like VIP Fan Auctions and Premiere Props (while Premiere Props has become more Profiles in History-like with their off-eBay event auctions with consignor material in recent years). It will be interesting to see how it all plays out over the coming years, assuming Hollywood P.R.I.M.E. has more longevity than other efforts to branch out by both auction houses (such as the Hollywood Treasure cable television series, authentication efforts launched by Profiles years ago with the Dracula poster debacle, and Premiere Props and their own Movie Props DNA quietly launched and quickly abandoned last year). [Read more…]
Gallerist Feature Tackles Auction House (Hidden) Reserves and Transparency – Heritage Auctions Leading in This Regard with Publicly Disclosed Reserves
Daniel Grant, writing for Gallerist, published an interesting article a few days ago about auction houses, reserves, and transparency (see “How Low Can You Go?: Should Auction Reserve Prices Be More Transparent?”). In his feature, he talks about how in nearly all cases, auction houses do not openly disclose the reserve (the lowest amount for which an item will sell at auction), and provides a variety of differing perspectives on how this practice impacts their respective markets and its participants. Of the auction houses specifically discussed in the article, only one – Heritage Auction – makes it known to the public what the reserve price is for every item that they offer for sale. [Read more…]
Revisiting TV Prop Studio Sanctioned Auctions: Descriptions, Research, Production Made, Multiples, Back-Ups, “Use” on Screen (ScreenBid/Breaking Bad, Profiles in History/LOST, Christie’s/Star Trek)
An issue that seems to come up with every official studio auction of original props and costumes from popular television shows is that of buyers feeling mislead by descriptions of auction houses, particularly use. We saw this with Christie’s and their official “40 years of Star Trek” auction, with Profiles in History and their sale of material from ABC’s LOST, and based on a reader comment today on my article about newcomer ScreenBid and their Breaking Bad auction, it would seem that the same issue is in play with this latest sale as well. Since people likely don’t check my articles for comments after reading it, I thought it might be worthwhile and productive to highlight that comment and my response in a new article, as it is an issue that seems to occur with each of these official studio sales, particularly because it brings in participants who have not participated in such sales before, and perhaps have not purchased or collected original props, costumes, and other artifacts from film and television. [Read more…]
Dexter Morgan’s “Slice of Life” Screen-Used TV Prop Boat from Showtime’s “Dexter” Coming To Auction on eBay
The most recognizable prop from Dexter, Showtime’s hit cable television series that is coming to an end with the current Season 8, is Dexter Morgan’s boat, “Slice of Life”. The original, fully-functional boat used throughout all eight seasons of the series by Michael C. Hall is coming up for public auction, set to begin with the airing of the final episode. The final episode, “Remember The Monsters?”, is set to debut on September 22nd. Details about the upcoming sale of the boat can be found on the current owner’s new website, www.dextersboatforsale.com: [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2013: Video Interview with Tim Lawes, Prop Store
I spoke with Tim Lawes of Prop Store today on the last day of Comic Con International: San Diego for 2013. Below is the video interview… [Read more…]