Raiders of the Lost Ark “God of Light” Prop Wall Plaque – Update 2
December 12, 2007 by Jason DeBord
As noted in the first two articles (see “Raiders of the Lost Ark “God of Light” Prop Wall Plaque” and “Update“), there was confusion over a Raiders of the Lost Ark wall plaque offered in Profiles in History that matches one seen on YourProps.com listed as a replica casting attributed to Elstree Props, and subsequently these have been found to have been sold openly and in quantity by Elstree Props on eBay and SpecialistAuctions. Since the posting of the original article, it seems those replica auctions have stopped.
The item marketed as the original with Profiles in History has had the marketing description updated since the publication of the catalog:
0952: God of light head – Raiders of the Lost Ark
Original Description:
952. Screen-used “god of light” head from Raiders of the Lost Ark. (Paramount, 1981) Made from Fibrous plaster and mica, and measuring 15 in. x 15 ½ in. this “god of light” head can be seen in the opening sequence on the wall of the Mayan temple as Indy runs past the flying arrows in pursuit of the golden fertility idol. Lot includes a set of four original sequential storyboards depicting the above scenes with pencil notes and biro writing. $2,000 – $3,000
New Description:
952. Screen-used “god of light” head from Raiders of the Lost Ark. (Paramount, 1981) Made from fibrous plaster and and mica, and measuring 15 in. x 15 1/2 in. this “god of light” head can be seen in the opening sequence on the wall of the Mayan temple as Indy runs past the flying arrows in pursuit of the golden fertility idol. Note: this prop is not to be confused with the light-weight fiberglass replicas cast from this original mask. This mask is constructed of solid plaster, rope meshing, wood and vermiculite. Lot includes a set of four original sequential storyboards depicting the above scenes with pencil notes and biro writing. $2,000 – $3,000
Jason De Bord
In additional to my previous post: There is more than one of these face plaque on the wall, so would they make all the faces different by making one mould for each face? This is the same argument as the Star Wars Death Star tiles, do you think they are all different and no two are the same cast of the same mould? What you need to do is to compare the material used, paint job, but then Elstree is in fact in my mind a questable prop house itself to start with. Perhaps now you finally realised that movie prop and costume business is one big underground society. It is not about what you know but who you know.
My question is: have you ever work anywhere near the industry at all before raising these questions? Seems to me that you are more of a skeptical rumor starter who enjoy adding oil to fire, NOT an insightful general actually located at the battlefield. I question your motive in writting these blogs. Are you reporting news like a good reporter or is this some cheap shot in the world of collecting?