This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube videos. As per tradition, (see 2007 Year in Review, 2008 Year in Review, 2009 Year in Review, 2010 Year in Review, 2011 Year in Review, 2012 Year in Review, 2013 Year in Review, 2014 Year in Review, 2015 Year in Review, 2016 Year in Review, 2017 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial featuring my personal observations and opinions with regards to the business of buying, collecting, selling, and preserving original pop culture artifacts used in film and television productions. A look back at interesting trends, developments, and news stories from 2018. As is always the case, this is a completely subjective exercise, and merely touches on the developments and events that relate to the hobby and art market. 2018 marks the first year that this will be published exclusively in video form on YouTube. [Read more…]
Editorial: Profiles in History’s Four Day “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” (Planet Hollywood) Auction Review
The massive Profiles in History “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” four day auction concluded on Friday, and it certainly illustrates some different results when compared to past sales held by the entertainment memorabilia auction house. With over 2,000 lots, it was a tremendous amount of material for the market to absorb all at once, and I suspect that this was reflected in the results. Though the official results have not yet been published on the official Profiles website as of the time of this writing, in going through the results published by internet bidding partner iCollector (and under the assumption that these results also reflect floor and phone bids), it would appear that approximately 45% of the lots were passed over with no bids. I counted approximately 922 unsold lots, and adding up the total it appears that in the final sale that there were 2,050 lots (with 39 lots pulled prior to auction?)… But the other compounding factor is how many lots were sold for far less than one might expect based on past sales. Items that would ordinarily pull in $5,000+ were going for under $2,000 and sometimes even under $1,000. With so much to choose from, it may have become a buyer’s market and it seemed as though some collectors were looking for deals – and finding them. [Read more…]
Hollywood Reporter Feature: “A Marvel Heist and the Booming Business (and Seedy Underworld) of Movie Collectibles”
Writer Gary Baum has written an interesting primer on the art market for original production material from film and television for Hollywood Reporter, which was published today. It takes a look at the market from several viewpoints – the increasing market and values, theft and fraud, some of the motivations behind collecting – and he interviewed principals in the industry such as Max Anderson of the Stan Lee Museum, Steve Sansweet of Rancho Obi-Wan, Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions, James Comisar of the Comisar Collection, Joe Maddalena of Profiles in History, collector David Mandel, Jeff Pirtle of NBCUniversal, Brandon Alinger of Prop Store, Catherin Williamson of Bonhams, Laura Woolley of The Collector’s Lab, Jacob McMurray of Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, Margaret Barrett of Heritage Auctions as well as law enforcement, and it also gives some history of the hobby (and business) of buying and selling high end memorabilia. [Read more…]
Julien’s Auctions’ Jerry Lewis and “Hollywood Legends” Auctions June 22nd & June 23rd
Julien’s Auctions is holding a two-day auction at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino next month, following an exhibition of the same. Their “Property from the Estate of Jerry Lewis” will be held on June 22nd and their “Hollywood Legends” auction will be held on June 23rd. Highlights include the James Shoppe collection, which features props and production material from the Art Director on Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. [Read more…]
Profiles in History “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” Auction Featuring Planet Hollywood Being Held June 5th – June 8th
Profiles in History have announced their latest “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” auction” event, with a 500 page auction catalog featuring 2,089 lots. Participants can bid online at iCollector. The massive five-day auction will be held June 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Though the words “Planet Hollywood” do not appear in the catalog, many of the pieces included in the sale have been identified as from Planet Hollywood. [Read more…]
Movie Prop & Costume Photojournal: Planet Hollywood at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas
I had a chance yesterday to view the movie props and costumes on display at the Planet Hollywood restaurant and gift shop found at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. While all are attributed to use in various productions, no provenance, history, or explanations are provided. Definitely an interesting subject for further discussion. [Read more…]
Profiles in History, Planet Hollywood, Designer Shoe Warehouse to Hold “Shoemania” Celebrity Memorabilia Charity Auction
Profiles in History have announced a special “Shoemania” charity auction which will benefit The Arts of Central Florida. Presented in conjunction with Planet Hollywood and DSW Shoe Warehouse, the auction will include autographed shoes donated by a variety of celebrities. The auction is slated to be held at the Designer Shoe Warehouse at The Milllenia Center in Orlando Florida on November 9th. [Read more…]
Prop Talk Podcast #013 – Darren Julien, Julien’s Auctions | Interview by The Original Prop Blog with Jason DeBord
Darren Julien, special guest. This is the thirteenth ‘Prop Talk’ podcast by the Original Prop Blog. Mr. Darren Julien is the President and CEO of Julien’s Auctions. Julien’s Auctions specializes in entertainment memorabilia and celebrity estate auctions, spanning movies, television, and popular music artists. This weekend, Julien’s Auctions sold their first piece for a price in excess of one million dollars – one of two jackets worn by Michael Jackson in the Thriller video produced for his milestone album by the same name.