Original Prop Blog – 6.5 Months Later

I did one of these August 1st, so I thought I’d give a quarterly progress report today, three months later.

Again a quick note to thank those who have read, supported, and contributed to the Original Prop Blog. Read more

Upcoming Auction Event Calendar Snapshot

Here is the latest updated list of upcoming original prop auction events. Please contact me if you are aware of any coming events of interest to original prop collectors. Read more

Trend: The “Hype Premium” – Follow-Up

I’ve received some interesting responses to the article posted earlier today, Trend: The “Hype Premium”.

Some have pointed out that part of the reason for the significantly lower price realized on the Spider-Man mask yesterday (to coincide with the home video release), compared with the one sold back in May (during the theatrical release), is in part due to the eye lens being missing on the more recent auction. Read more

Trend: The “Hype Premium”

A trend that comes and goes with the theatrical release of hit films (and sometimes not so “hit” films) and “hot” films (i.e. a small but enthused following) is that of “Hype Premium”. This trend manifests itself in conjunction with the theatrical release of films that include complimentary promotion in the form of prop offerings by the studio or studio affiliate. Well, I just now made up the terminology – “Hype Premium” – but it’s descriptive enough…

This is an oft discussed trend – even in the midst of it actually occurring – but it rarely fails to deliver.

Companies like Hollywood Vault and Premiere Props often schedule auctions by 1) offering props from films at the time of the theatrical release and then, 2) offering additional props later, at the time of the DVD release.

This is done to maximize promotion of the film (in theaters and for home video release) via the sale of props and wardrobe pieces.

So what does this have to do with the “Hype Premium”?

The “Hype Premium” is the difference in price realized for the same or similar items offered at the theatrical release compared with the home video release. Read more

YourProps.com Hosts 10,000th Item

YourProps.com, Tim Ketzer’s fantastic “online museum” for original and replica prop collectors alike, has hosted it’s 10,000th item. Read more

Clarity on the Notion of “Respect”

I periodically check the Movie Prop Collectors forum for activity, in that there have been some discussions about me in the past (which the owner moved to an area for registered members only).

What follows is a new topic made by an anonymous member – the first post in the “Original Movie Props” forum in a month (LINK): Read more

Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 4

There is a news story, including an interview with Paul Harrison of Elstree Props, about the Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber at auction on SpecialistAuctions.com. This has had continuing coverage on the OPB (see Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3).

This is an interesting article, in that it provides more information from the viewpoint of Elstree Props and it illustrates the mainstream media’s lack of consideration regarding any challenge to authenticity. Read more

The “Production Protection Program” & The United Movie Collectors Guild

One development in the hobby that comes up as a topic of conversation from time to time, and is directly related to the opinion piece article posted a few days ago (see Original Prop Marketplace Oversight) as well as recent discussions about the Return of the Jedi lightsaber currently at auction (see Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction), is the “Production Protection Program“, or “P-3″. Read more

Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 3

This is a follow-up to the other two topics (LINK, LINK, LINK) discussing the Elstree Props Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber offered at auction by Auction Specialists.

There has been ongoing discussions in dedicated topics on the Movie Prop Forum and Replica Prop Forum:

The Replica Prop Forum (the RPF): Elstree Props “Original” ROTJ Lightsaber
The Movie Prop Forum: ROTJ Lightsaber

The RPF is a great resource for learning the details and history of a great many props, those from Star Wars films in particular. Read more

Profiles in History Launches New Website

Profiles in History has redesigned their website, including a bit of new content… (of particular interest to me is the “Collecting Hollywood Memorabilia” guide): Read more

Original Prop Marketplace Oversight

One topic that comes up with original prop collectors now and again is the notion of “marketplace oversight”. Given the nature of these collectibles, where value is intrinsically tied to provenance and authenticity, how do we, as a hobby, move away from the “Wild West” environment, and perhaps implement some sort of oversight (whether organized or informal) to help guide and share information with new and seasoned collectors and identify those individuals or entities that trade in inauthentic pieces? Read more

Anonymity, Transparency, & The “Real World”

There are several very interesting and very active topics running on the Movie Prop Forum, which have engaged hobbyists on a variety of important issues related to the hobby of collecting original props. Read more

Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 2

Some additional information pertaining to this story reported last week (see “Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction“, “Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 1“)…

Per a report on the Movie Prop Forum (see “ROTJ Lightsaber“), in addition to the Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber listed for sale with Specialist Auctions by Elstree Props, and the one on the Elstree Props website that appears to be a different version of the same prop (see comparison photos in Update 1 article), a hobbyist on the discussion forum claims that Elstree sold presumably a third Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber at a charity auction (I do not have any verification of this at this point). If this information and these observations are accurate, that would indicate Elstree Props has/had as many as three or more of these props. Read more

BBC News: “Lee’s Dracula Cape Found in Store”

The following story was reported by BBC News (LINK), wherein it is claimed that Christopher Lee’s cape from Dracula (1958) was found in a London store. I’d be interested in learning the details of how Angles authenticated it. Going by the story, Lee verifying it 50 years later sounds implausible on the face of it, but maybe there are identifying marks/labels to supplement this examination. Read more

News Story Flashback: “Rummaging for a Piece of Tim Burton”

This is an article from 2005, but interesting none the less. The original article can still be found at the New York Times website.

There was a related topic on the Movie Prop Forum at the time, “Tim Burton’s Prop Collection“.

It is an interesting example of an event in which original props/artifacts are released into the open marketplace and how that news travels and things play out. Read more

Hollywood Roadshow Today – Another Internet Bidding Debacle?

According to multiple reports on the Movie Prop Forum (see “Hollywood Roadshow Horror Movie Prop & Pinball“), many hobbyists are unable to access the Hollywood Roadshow auction currently underway via eBay Live Auctions. Read more

Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 1

A few updates on this already… (see preceding article, Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction)

There are two topics hosting a discussion on this auction:

The Replica Prop Forum (the RPF): Elstree Props “Original” ROTJ Lightsaber
The Movie Prop Forum: ROTJ Lightsaber

A few have made the astute observation that the Return of the Jedi lightsaber pictured on the Elstree Props website appears to differ from the photos seen in the listing at Specialist Auctions: Read more

Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction

Many hobbyists have long been puzzled by the images and story on the Elstree Props website pertaining to their Luke Skywalker lightsaber purported to be original and from unseen scenes from Return of the Jedi.

This prop now appears listed for sale on the website Specialist Auctions, with a “Snap it Up” price of 30,000 GBP (over $55,000).

I would be interested in learning more details about this piece from Elstree Props, LFL, or any collectors with insights and opinions about the prop or the notion of this scene from the film as described on the Elstree website and in marketing of this piece for sale. Read more

Profiles in History Auction 29 Catalog Out

As previously reported (“Profiles in History Auction 29: Rare Hollywood Photographs, November 7th & 8th“), the next Profiles in History auction event will be held in November. As noted, this auction will consist of vintage Hollywood photography, and, flipping through the catalog, a limited number of posters/one-sheets. Read more

Upcoming Hollywood Roadshow Live Auction in Dallas – October 20, 2007

The next Hollywood Roadshow event is scheduled for Saturday, October 20th, in Dallas Texas. Read more

Dealer/Event Review: Premiere Props, Hollywood Roadshow

Much of the details of my most recent transaction with Premiere Props / Hollywood Roadshow can be found in these topics:

“Premiere Props, Hollywood Roadshow, Auction Outcome Manipulation”, “…Update 1″, “…Update 2″, “…Update 3″, “…Update 4″

Generally speaking, I’ve come to expect that, as a consumer buying goods, issues do happen.

However, most issues can be resolved with 1) good customer service/communication and, more importantly, 2) the exercise of “good will” on behalf of the merchant. In my personal experience, Premiere Props is incapable of the first and completely lacking the second. Read more

Original Prop Blog Benchmark: Over 100,000 Page Views

I just noticed that we passed the 100,000 page view mark this week (and over half a million hits).

Last month alone we had over 23,000 page views and this month is shaping up to surpass last month’s activity.

Thanks again to all those taking the time to visit the site…

Jason De Bord

Citizen Kane Oscar to be Auctioned at Sotheby’s

Per BBC News (LINK), the Oscar awarded to Orson Welles for Best Original Screenplay for Citizen Kane will by auctioned by Sotheby’s auction house December 11th. Read more

News Story Flashback – “Prop Talk: Who Got What From Kill Bill’s Set”

This is an old article that was on Hollywood.com circa October 2004, which is no longer available. However, it is still of interest, discussing some of the props from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill… Read more

October’s Heritage Auction Addendum: “Planet of the Apes” Statue of Liberty Prop Removed from Catalog

Though the Heritage auction was held last week, I just now looked to see the results of the Statue of Liberty head attributed to Planet of the Apes that was one of the Featured Items (which was the cover specimen of Profiles in History’s auction this past August, and went unsold – see prior article, “Heritage Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction – October 6-7, 2007“). Read more

Entertainment Weekly Feature: “The Things They Carried”

There is an excellent feature in this weeks Entertainment Weekly magazine #959/960 (October 19, 2007) by Tom Schierlitz & Josh Rottenberg, “The Things They Carried”. The full article should be accessible by the time the next issue hits the stands HERE.

It is great to see original props and wardrobe featured in such a respectful way in a mainstream magazine. Given the wide variety of ownership sources, the pair behind the article obviously put a great deal of effort in putting this together. Read more

The Smithsonian & Competition for Original Props

The Washington Post reports today about the curator of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and struggles to acquire original props to add their collection.

The story can be found HERE: Read more

Photos of Iron Man Mark I Armor at Digg.com

“xakaxunknownx” has posted some photos of the “Mark I” armor featured in the upcoming Iron Man film over at Digg.com (LINK). Here are two of the photos taken at an art exhibit in London… Read more

Hickory Daily Record: The Tank Collector

In interesting feature posted today on the Hickory Daily Record website: Read more

Chicago Star Wars Exhibit: “Where Science Meets Imagination”

There is a new Star Wars-themed exhibit in Chicago opening today and running through the end of the year, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination… Read more

The “Other” Dealer Issue: Communication & Good Will

Most of my opinion pieces on the blog involve issues of provenance and authenticity. That really goes to the heart of the hobby, and makes up much of the minefield that original prop collectors navigate as they transact in the marketplace.

The “Other” issue, which gets less attention here and on the discussion forums, is one just as prevalent and much easier to resolve: Business Practices & Customer Service Read more

Work in Progress: The Ultimate Original Prop COA, Part II

I had initiated a discussion topic on the Movie Prop Forum related to my previous article (see “Work in Progress: The Ultimate Original Prop COA, Part I“), which can be found here: Read more

Guns & Ammo Magazine: Hollywood Handguns

There is a great article about the use of handguns in films at the Guns & Ammo Magazine website. This is one of the few pieces I’ve seen that discusses the degree to which firearms are modified for use in film, employing blank fire loads, as well as the care and expertise that goes into not only the selection of weapons but how they are modified and used on set. Read more

Charity Auction: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 7 Piece Set Collection

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno has listed a charity auction on eBay to benefit Bailey’s Café (LINK TO AUCTION): Read more

Tom Spina Designs Adds New Display Products

Tom Spina Designs has added a variety of new display products to their online store. Read more