Article Summary: An opinion piece about original prop Certificates of Authenticity and dealer/retailer “guarantees”, including the Origins of the COA, The “Guarantee” (Money Back, Lifetime), The Studio Reseller COA & Guarantee, The Professional Dealer COA – Issues of Lost Provenance, Professional Dealer COA Questions, Individual & Private Seller COAs & LOAs, and the Auction House COA & Guarantee. [Read more…]
Buyer Precautions & Considerations, Part I: The Mechanics of the Deal
Article Summary: Personal observations and recommendations for collectors to consider in acquiring original props, including an overview of contracts, documentation, eBay, PayPal, use of credit cards and alternate payment methods, insurance, shipping, and other considerations. [Read more…]
The Red Flags of Authenticity
Article Summary: A discussion and analysis of various seller tactics I’ve witnessed over the years, and my names for them and reactions. These are all potentially problematic marketing techniques that should not be dismissed by the discerning original prop collector. [Read more…]
Heritage Auction Galleries & L.A. Prop & Wardrobe Company
Article Summary: A report on Rick Spector’s findings discussed on the Movie Prop Forum related to concerns of props and costumes consigned to Heritage Auction Galleries by L.A. Prop and Wardrobe being inauthentic. [Read more…]
The Dirty Little Secret of the Hobby
Article Summary: An opinion piece exploring issues surrounding the problem of inauthentic pieces that are circulated withing in the hobby. [Read more…]
Trend: The “Widgetization” of the Hobby
Article Summary: An analysis and discussion about trends and business approaches from Studio Resellers in selling props, wardrobe, and other film and television assets without consideration for the specialization demanded by the hobby and expectations of collectors. [Read more…]
Fraud, Misrepresentation, Puffing
Article Summary: This is an opinion piece that explores the differences and distinctions between “fraud”, “misrepresentation”, and “puffing”, and how these practices affect the hobby. [Read more…]
Trend: “I Want To Believe”
Article Summary: This opinion piece explores a phenomenon within the hobby of collectors coming from a perspective of wanting to believe a piece is authentic, rather than being discerning and skeptical to properly vet a piece to ensure its marketing matching up with material facts. [Read more…]