Market Watch: T2 “Original” Miniature Update 2

Article Summary: Observations and questions raised about an “original” Terminator 2 miniature listed on eBay. Read more

Real Estate & Original Props: An Analysis

Article Summary: An opinion piece comparing and contrasting real estate trends and characteristics with the original prop hobby, including Fixed Pricing vs. Variable Pricing, Recorded Sale vs. Unrecorded Sale, New vs. Resale, and Market Pricing Fluctuations. Read more

Market Watch: T2 “Original” Miniature Update

Article Summary: Observations and questions raised about an “original” Terminator 2 miniature listed on eBay. Read more

Market Watch: Terminator 2 “Original” Miniature Prototype (Elstree Props)

Article Summary: Observations and questions raised about an “original” Terminator 2 miniature listed on eBay. Read more

Market Watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark Clapperboard?

Article Summary: Observations and questions raised about a Raiders of the Lost Ark clapperboard listed on eBay, and a seller using photos from other sites (Prop Store of London and My Props) as his own. 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

Extreme Collecting: Mariah Carey’s Legs and “In Touch” Magazine

Article Summary: An entertaining anecdotal story about a collector and his acquisition of 16 foot replica Mariah Carey legs. Read more

Book Review – Bond On Set: Filming Casino Royale (007)

Article Summary: A review of the book, Bond on Set. Read more

Book Review: Spider-Man The Visual Guide

Article Summary: A review of the book, Spider-Man The Visual Guide Read more

Book Review: The Making of Star Wars

Article Summary: A review of the book, The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film. Read more

About OPB Book Reviews

Article Summary: An overview of a new category for upcoming OPB articles, featuring reviews of books, in whole or in part, related to original prop and wardrobe collecting. Read more

Featured Interview: Stephen Lane, The Prop Store of London

Article Summary: A Featured Interview with Stephen Lane of The Prop Store of London. Read more

Case Study: Questioning Authenticity on eBay (Elstree Props)

Article Summary: A case study of analyzing selling tactics employed in an actual eBay listing, and practicing the art of being a discerning collector by raising questions of authenticity in evaluating the marketing of a prop on eBay. Read more

Featured Interview: Tom Spina, Tom Spina Designs

Article Summary: A Featured Interview with Tom Spina of Tom Spina Designs and The Spina Cantina. Read more

Star Wars Prequel Stunt Lightsabers: Increasingly Less Collectible

Article Summary: An opinion piece on the prevalence of stunt Star Wars lightsabers, and the impact on the issues that arise from being unable to easily distinguish between authentic, original props and post production replicas. 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

Featured Interview: Tim Ketzer, YourProps.com

Article Summary: A Featured Interview with Tim Ketzer of YourProps.com and Ketzer.com.

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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

Original & Replica Props: The Dynamics of Two Hobbies

Article Summary: An analysis of the distinctions between replica and original props, with a discussion of issues and opinions. Read more

Casino Royale Bond Watches Sell at Public Auction

Article Summary: A news item showcasing the details of original props from Casino Royale sold in Geneva by Antiquorum. 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

Displaying Your Collection: Pistol Stand

Article Summary: A review of acrylic pistol display stands. Read more

Displaying Your Collection: Flocked Heads

Article Summary: A review of styrofoam flocked heads for display of props/wardrobe. Read more

Displaying Your Collection: Glass Display Case (Detolf)

Article Summary: A review of Ikea’s Detolf Glass Display Case. 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

Insuring Your Original Prop Collection

Article Summary:  Commentary and insights regarding resources available to collectors to insure their collections via Collectibles Insurance Agency. Read more

Incredible World of Spy-Fi

Article Summary: The following is news and information related to the showcasing of the collection of Danny Biederman. Read more

“Screen-Match” Examples

Article Summary: This article discusses and provides examples of what has come to be termed “screen-match” props and wardrobe, whereby unique details of an original prop can be matched to screencaps in a movie or television show. 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

Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 27: Auction Results

Article Summary: A recap of auction results from Profiles in History 27, courtesy of Tim Ketzer from Ketzer.com. 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

The Hobby Without a Name…

Article Summary: An opinion piece on the fact that the hobby does not have a universally recognized proper name (Movie Props? Screen-Used Props? Prop Collecting?), and my view of what terms do and don’t make sense, to varying degrees, and why. This state of the hobby is reflective of its early development stage. Read more