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…]
What is “Original”?
Article Summary: This is an important article and opinion piece that outlines my own personal criteria and tests for what artifacts (props, costumes, etc.) from a production (film or television) can be considered “Original”. [Read more…]
Original Prop Provenance & Authenticity, Part I
Article Summary: This is an opinion piece discussing the basics of provenance and authenticity of original props. Topics include the definition of provenance, types of COAs (Studio, Dealer), auction house catalogs, “screen-matching”, firearm-specific information, and other considerations and issues. [Read more…]