In November 2007, a “fertility idol” attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Nick Harrison of “Elstree Film Studios” as part of the “Danziger Collection”, was listed for sale on eBay as “an original” that was “used in the production”. A second, different fertility idol was listed on eBay yesterday with the same paperwork and provenance. [Read more…]
I published a few Market Watch articles in 2007 and 2008 focused on the sale of Hannibal Lecter masks, specifically from the film, Hannibal. This feature updates the state of the marketplace for these pieces with an archive of proof that exact replicas cast from an original source exist in the marketplace, making it very challenging for the authentication of any original masks. [Read more…]
The New York Post reports today that the owner of a historical artifact – one that an American soldier plucked from Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest” in the Bavarian Alps at the close of World War II – is contemplating legal action against United Artists for the prominent use of a replica of the globe in the latest Tom Cruise film, Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie. [Read more…]
As was the case last year (see 2007 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial review of my personal views with regards to the hobby, looking back at the top trends and news stories of 2008. As always, there were a lot of interesting developments and events, and quite a bit to review and consider. [Read more…]
eBay seller biscolors has today listed for sale a prop “Luke Skywalker” lightsaber marketed as an “original prop” from Return of the Jedi and “one that was made for Mark Hamill as backup”, referencing Norman Harrison and Norank Engineering at Elstree Studios as the source. [Read more…]
In October, there was a significant amount of buzz, discussion, and questions about a Stormtrooper helmet presented to hobbyists publicly and described as original and attributed to Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. These debates resulted from the owner of the helmet, “JoeR”, initiating discussions about the newly acquired piece on several original and replica prop hobby discussion forums. [Read more…]
A short update regarding the lightsaber on display at the National Firearms Museum, originally sold by Ellis Props in their liquidation sale, characterized as an original prop from the Star Wars trilogy. [Read more…]
Mr. Jim Supica, newly appointed Director of the National Firearms Museum, was kind enough to read the article published this week (see Ellis Props “Star Wars Luke Skywalker Lightsaber”?) about the lightsaber on display at the museum, originally sold by Ellis Props in their liquidation sale, characterized as an original prop from the Star Wars trilogy. [Read more…]