Four days ago, Original Prop Blog published an article (LINK) noting the Daily Mail wrote a piece promoting a Stormtrooper helmet auction in the Nate D. Sanders auction concluding this coming Thursday. The helmet had been described as a “prototype” from the original 1977 Star Wars film, with provenance from Andrew Ainsworth. Original Prop Blog has published a number of articles about these “prototype” helmets sold into the marketplace over the years, and reported in June that Christie’s withdrew one of these from their auctions at the time. Now, Nate D. Sanders has withdrawn this one from it’s own auction (though, as reported, it failed to sell in their March auction and in subsequent eBay auctions). [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2014: Profiles in History Exhibitor Booth (#SDCC)
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…]
Daily Mail Piece on Nate D. Sanders “Super-Rare Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmet from Andrew Ainsworth’s Work on Star Wars
The Daily Mail must be an easy get for a puff piece on movie prop memorabilia, going by their latest article on the “prototype” stormtrooper helmet being put up for auction (again) by Nate D Sanders this month. It reads as though it was repurposed from the auction house material, without the benefit of any third party analysis or questions about the provenance of the item. A similar helmet was pulled from auction by Christie’s last month, and their have been questions raised about the background of these “prototype” stormtrooper helmets attributed to Andrew Ainsworth’s work on Star Wars: A New Hope going back for years now. [Read more…]
Calendar of Live Auction Events: TV and Movie Prop & Costume, Hollywood Entertainment, Music, & Pop Culture Memorabilia
Below is the latest updated calendar for upcoming original movie and television prop, wardrobe, and memorabilia auction events. Please contact me if you are aware of any coming events of interest to collectors. Please also note that I update changes/additions to the calendar until the next update, in order to maintain as up to date as possible. [Read more…]
Update: Additional Images of Christie’s Withdrawn “Prototype” Star Wars Stormtrooper Helmet
This is an update to the article published on Monday (see “Christie’s Withdraws “Prototype” Star Wars Stormtrooper Prop Helmet with Andrew Ainsworth Provenance from Upcoming Auction“). As mentioned in that prior article, unfortunately, no images were provided of the sides and back of the helmet. A friend in the UK previewed the upcoming Christie’s auction, and took photos of the “prototype” Storwtrooper prop helmet, which has since been withdrawn from their sale (#5446). These additional images are important, in that the single image provided in the online lot description/catalog only included one “straight on” style image which did not show whether the lower, back side of the helmet had the “ribbed” decoration (a detail that most other “prototypes” have shared). [Read more…]
Christie’s Withdraws “Prototype” Star Wars Stormtrooper Prop Helmet with Andrew Ainsworth Provenance from Upcoming Auction
Today Christie’s has withdrawn Lot 136 from their upcoming Sale #5446, a prop attributed to Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and described as a “prototype Imperial Stormtrooper’s helmet“. There has been ongoing public debate and controversy over movie prop Stormtrooper helmets trading for sale in the marketplace for years, and some of this debate and discussion intersected the legal battles between Lucasfilm and Andrew Ainsworth. In the auction description, Andrew Ainsworth was named as the source of provenance for the prop withdrawn from the current Christie’s sale. [Read more…]
Calendar of Live Auction Events: TV and Movie Prop & Costume, Hollywood Entertainment, Music, & Pop Culture Memorabilia
Below is the latest updated calendar for upcoming original movie and television prop, wardrobe, and memorabilia auction events. Please contact me if you are aware of any coming events of interest to collectors. Please also note that I update changes/additions to the calendar until the next update, in order to maintain as up to date as possible. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Debbie Reynolds – The Auction Finale′ Catalog Available Online for Sale Event May 17-18
Profiles in History will be holding the third and last auction of Debbie Reynolds consigned material as part of their “Debbie Reynolds – The Auction Finale” sale running May 17th and 18th. Today they made the catalog available to order (hardcopy) as well as online in PDF and flipbook format via their official site. This sale is scheduled to be held at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood. This auction features 897 lots including promotional material, classic Hollywood wardrobe, props, set pieces, production material, vintage motion picture cameras, and other important film artifacts.