New York Times Article on Bob Burns

This article is a few months old, but I just came across it. Here is a link to the full article with photos – Link to NewYorkTimes.com Read more

Instruments of Authenticity & The Chain of Provenance

As discussed in the prior article, Authenticity & Burden of Proof, I’ve found the notion that a piece is authentic, unless proven otherwise, to be faulty (as a buyer and collector, anyway). Read more

Upcoming Hollywood Roadshow Live Auction in L.A. – July 14, 2007 – Update

Items are now showing on eBay via Premiere Props (premiereprops16): LINK Read more

Smithsonian: “Die Hard to Live On”

Press Release from The Smithsonian: LINK Read more

Why We Collect

For me, one interesting diversion is trying to figure out what brings people to the hobby: why we collect. Read more

Website Review: PropCatalogs.com

Website Name: Prop Catalogs

Website URL: http://www.propcatalogs.com Read more

Sopranos Prop Warehouse Sale

From the NY Daily News: Read more

Website Review: Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Message Board

Website Name: The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Message Board

Website URL: http://startrek.invisionzone.com Read more

Website Review: The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Blog

Website Name: The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Blog (AKA The Star Trek Auction Blog)

Website URL: http://startrekauction.blogspot.com/ Read more

Website Review: The “Other” Movie Prop Forum

Website Name: MoviePropForum.com

Website URL: http://www.moviepropforum.com/ Read more

Stembridge Auction Report, Part 5: Prices Realized List

This is the fifth in a series of articles reporting on the Stembridge Armory Collection Auction in Los Angeles, hosted by Little John’s Auction Service. Read more

Website Review: YourProps.com

Website Name: YourProps

Website URL: http://www.yourprops.com Read more

Website Review: The Movie Prop Forum

Website Name: The Movie Prop Forum

Website URL: http://mpdf.ipbhost.com Read more

About OPB Website Reviews

A new feature to the OPB is an ongoing series of hobby-related website reviews that might be of interest to original prop collectors. This will include websites about specific subjects, online discussion forums, blogs, and more. Read more

Upcoming Hollywood Roadshow Live Auction in L.A. – July 14, 2007

From HollywoodRoadshow.com: Read more

Stembridge Auction Report, Part 4: Research Case Study

I thought I’d share some of my observations and research – work done leading up to the auction – in an effort to highlight some of the challenges and concerns in approaching the Stembridge Collection Auction. Read more

Featured Interview: Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History

Joseph Maddalena is the owner of Profiles in History, the one auction house dedicated to hosting extensive original prop auctions in Los Angeles several times a year.

As noted in my Featured Interview Preview, my initial first hand impressions of Mr. Maddalena were formed from the action and excitement of the Han Solo blaster auction from the Stembridge Armory event. He certainly knows auctions, whether they are his own or a bidder. Read more

Exclusive Preview – Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 28

As part of my visit and interview with Mr. Maddalena this past week (which will be published in the next week), I was given a tour of the new Profiles in History facilities and allowed to photograph items consigned with the next auction, to be held August 2nd and 3rd. Read more

Stembridge Auction Report, Part 3: My Experiences & Observations at the Event

This is the third in my ongoing series (see News, Part 1, Part 2, Featured Interview Preview) of articles about the Little John’s Auction Service featuring the World Famous Stembridge Armory Collection.

This article focuses on my experiences participating in this live auction, my first as a bidder, in person. Read more

The $20,000 Superman Mold – Update

There was an unusual eBay auction listed about a month ago, as noted in the article, Elstree Props, Jason Joiner, and the $20,000 Superman Mold on eBay.

One of the OPB readers made a post today, who has written about making contact with Jason Joiner with his report on the matter. I am reposting his contribution here, in that more than a month has passed and it is unlikely anyone would know to go back and read his comments. Read more

Featured Interview Preview: Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History – Stembridge Recap

This is a preview of my extensive interview with Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History.

The full interview will be posted some time in the next week or so, as well as a complimentary article featuring a pictorial preview of items upcoming in their next event, Hollywood Memorabilia Auction 28, in August.

Given the timeliness of the Stembridge auction event this past Tuesday, I thought I would share the portion of our discussion showcasing Mr. Maddalena’s views of the event and collecting real firearms. Read more

Stembridge Auction Report, Part 2: Star Wars Han Solo Blaster Excitement & Drama

This is the second in my ongoing series of articles about the Little John’s Auction Service featuring the World Famous Stembridge Armory Collection.

This article focuses on the sale of one of the top pieces of the auction, as well as my introduction to Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History, with a preview of my extensive interview with him which follows in the subsequent article, Featured Interview Preview: Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History – Stembridge Recap. Read more

Upcoming Bonhams Auction at Knightsbridge, UK – June 20, 2007

Per the Bonhams website: Read more

Fox Letter & MovieMania Response

A reader identifying himself as MovieMania has responded to the article in regards to the “Fox letter” included with an Aliens piece at auction, as discussed in this article, Questionable “Letter from 20th Century Fox”. Read more

Stembridge Auction Report, Part 1: Prices Realized Highlights

This is the first in a series of articles reporting on the Stembridge Armory Collection Auction in Los Angeles, hosted by Little John’s Auction Service. This was an amazing event, and I’ll be sharing in my experience via a series of articles over the next few days. Read more

Little John’s Auction Service: Stembridge Collection – June 5, 2007

Little John’s Auction Service is going to be holding an auction offering pieces from the Stembridge Gun Arsenal Collection. Read more

The Movie Prop Forum – Registration Now Open

I recently noted a way in which to get in touch with the Movie Prop Forum admin in regards to access with closed registration (The Movie Prop Forum & New User Registration). Mike let me know that registration has now been reopened, so you are free to register as a new user at this time by following this link: Registration Terms & Rules Read more

Original Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 Freddy Gloves – Update

David Miller of David Miller Creations has posted a comment and shared some insights into the Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 Freddy Gloves issues raised in that article. Read more

The Movie Prop Forum & New User Registration

I consistently receive numerous inquiries into the status of new user registration on the Movie Prop Forum, which is frequently referenced and linked to in articles. Read more

Original Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 Freddy Gloves

There has been a long-running topic on the Movie Prop Forum in regards to the Freddy gloves used in Nightmare on Elm Street 5, and the problems authenticating some of these same pieces. Read more

Questionable “Letter from 20th Century Fox”

An eBay auction ended a few days ago for an “ORIGINAL PROP FACEHUGGER FROM ‘ALIENS’ (1986)” (eBay Item #320120640219). The subtitle of the auction listing claimed: “Displayed – with COA & letter from film studio” Read more

“Pre-Production” Spider-Man Webshooter – Update

This is an update to the previous article, “Pre-Production” Spider-Man Webshooter, regarding the eBay auction listing “2002 Spiderman Movie Webshooter Prop“. Read more

SnagIt 8 – Image Capture Software & Electronic Preservation

This is both a “Hobby Care” article as well as a review of software.

One thing I’ve always encouraged other collectors to do is preserve any “electronic provenance” that they are able to. In fact, I started just such a topic on the Movie Prop Forum back in early 2005, Preserving “Electronic” Provenance. Read more

Upcoming Julien’s Auction in L.A. – June 16, 2007

From JuliensAuctions.com: Read more