Story on Premiere Props, Dan Levin, “27 Dresses” at Daily News Tribune

There is a news story today at the Daily News Tribune about the Premiere Props studio auctions for the film, “27 Dresses”.

This is the first interview with Dan Levin at Premiere Props that I can recall. It is interesting to have some insights into his view of the original prop hobby, and the role and function his company plays, as well as the profile of the typical customer for these auctions.

Of note is the view expressed as to the fate of many pieces offered in the marketplace by Premiere Props – buyers wearing the wardrobe pieces as well as using costume accessories. While I could personally care less about “The Devil Wears Prada” or “27 Dresses”, I’m not fond of the notion of original props and wardrobe being worn and/or used, in that actual artifacts from films should be preserved. Read more

Art Gallery Raided in Fraud Probe

An interesting story from the Chicago Tribune; unfortunately, no details present as to the nature of the fraud (full story here). Obviously, there are some significant parallels between the original prop hobby and the art world, in terms of inauthentic pieces being sold as authentic, so I think it is important to follow some of these newsworthy developments as a point of reference. Having said that, as noted, there are no details present in the story as to the nature of the fraud, so it could be unrelated to issues of authenticity. However, involvement of U.S. postal inspectors would lead one to believe it could have to do with actual transactions with customers. I would imagine that one possible reason to remove actual works would be for off-site analysis. Read more

SAG Awards Charity Auctions

Apologies that I missed this – it appears these auctions are all set to end today. Read more

eBay 2008 Update – Policy Changes Announced

eBay has announced a series of policy changes to be implemented over the next few months (thanks to Rik for the heads up):

eBay 2008 Update

The most interesting changes to me aren’t related to the “Reduced Listing Fees” or “Rewards for great sellers” but the “Feedback Changes”.

Here are the details on those changes, per eBay, with any comments from me included below those points: Read more

Guernsey’s Pugliese Pop Culture Collection Auction: Las Vegas, NV – March 15-16, 2008

As discussed in prior articles (“Guernsey’s Auction: “The Pugliese Collection“”, “Guernsey’s Auction: “The Pugliese Collection” – Delayed to Early Next Year“), this appears to be a significant original prop auction event. Read more

Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update 2

Since publishing my lengthy and comprehensive article last week (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“), which raises questions about the number of “original” and “authentic” Superman costumes in the marketplace, as well as the follow-up article (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update“), I thought it would be productive to make a note of the results of the three current auctions (now ended) – all with COAs from “Super Hollywood” (AKA “super38“) that were discussed in the second article. Read more

bmi’s “Voyager” In Flight Magazine Feature: “As Seen On Screen”

The UK’s bmi airline company’s latest in-flight magazine, “Voyager”, has a feature on the original prop hobby titled “As Seen On Screen“. Read more

Original Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz on The Oprah Winfrey Show – The Video

As reported yesterday (see “Original Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz on The Oprah Winfrey Show“), the 1/23/08 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show focused on “Classic Americana”. Part of the episode featured Dr. Brent Glass, Director of The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz were sent to the show from Washington, D.C., under the supervision of two armed guards and via first class air travel in a disguised box.

This segment has created some controversy (see misajane’s blog, The Orinda Group, Greetings from Taos…, and Oprah’s Discussion Forum) as a result of Oprah’s determination to personally handle the artifacts, which was counter to the museum director’s express wishes.

Below is the admittedly low tech video of the segment I uploaded to YouTube: Read more

eBay’s puttieface & Entertainment Movie Props – “votehillary” Update

As a follow-up to the prior article (see “eBay’s puttieface & Entertainment Movie Props“), eBay seller “puttieface” has changed his eBay username/account name to “votehillary“: Read more

Original Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Today’s episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show focused on “Classic Americana”. Part of the episode featured Dr. Brent Glass, Director of The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz were sent to the show from Washington, D.C., under the supervision of two armed guards and via first class air travel in a disguised box. 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

Impressive Original Prop Display Room in MovieHome Magazine

Fellow original prop collector Mario Kirner (hollywood-at-home.de) sent me a copy of German magazine, MOVIEHOME (moviehome-magazin.de) featuring his media room which doubles as an original prop and wardrobe display area.

Because it is a German publication and would be difficult to obtain in the U.S., I’ve including some scans of the article below. I would recommend picking up the magazine if you can find it – very high quality and impressive (though I am not fluent in German, so I can’t speak to the written content). Read more

Oscar Statuette Legal Dispute Between Heirs & The Academy

There is a story in TheNewsTribune.com today about a legal dispute between the heirs of three Oscar statuettes and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Statues awarded after 1950 are legally encumbered and winners and their heirs must give the Academy first right of refusal to buy back the award for a nominal sum. Oscar statuettes that have sold in the open market that are not subject to this requirement have sold for large sums of money. Read more

HD Format War – More Bad News for HD DVD

As reported previously (see “HD Format War Developments“), Warner Bros. Entertainment will be releasing its high-definition titles “exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year”. A few days later the Financial Times reported on rumors that Paramount was set to follow suit (see FT.com, “Paramount in HD blow“), though Bloomberg.com (see “Paramount Denies Report It Will Drop Toshiba’s HD DVD (Update2)“) reported shortly after that Paramount was denying those rumors, though the official statement was carefully worded.

My last report (see “More HD War Developments Out of CES“) covered rumors that Universal (which, along with Paramount, represents the two remaining major studios supporting the HD DVD format exclusively) may change its decision to back HD DVD, including an excerpt from a story published by Variety (see “Blu-ray could win high-def battle“).

In the last week, I’ve read some more news of interest to those following this story. Read more

Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update

Since publishing my lengthy and comprehensive article last night (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“), which raises questions about the number of “original” and “authentic” Superman costumes in the marketplace, another such auction has been listed on eBay since completing the article: Read more

The L.A. Times Asks Gov. Schwarzenegger About His Movie Guns

A short little bit was published in the L.A. Times today in which Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked about the weapons he used in his films… Read more

Second Wave of NBC Universal Studio Auctions Begin January 21, 2008

As discussed in prior articles (“Reported Plans for NBC Studio Auction Event“, “NBC Universal Auctions Live“, “First Wave of NBC Auctions: Results (11/19-12/3)“), NBC Universal launched a website offering direct from the studio auctions back in November. The first set of two week auctions listed included props and wardrobe and set-pieces from Heroes, The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, and Las Vegas.

More details can be found at www.nbc.com/shop/auctions/ Read more

Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 31: March 27 & 28

The Profiles in History website shows that the next auction will be March 27 & 28, 2008: Read more

Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity

Costumes from the classic Christopher Reeve Superman films have long been one of the most “inherently problematic” wardrobe pieces for original prop collectors to acquire. One, the studio that owns the property and produced and distributed the films was Warner Bros. Warner Bros. is known to be very careful of keeping control of its assets and diligent in pursuing key pieces that have entered the collector’s market improperly. Two, there are many accounts from a number of collectors who have purchased Superman costumes marketed as “Original” that they claim are replica costumes.

There is an ongoing topic at the Movie Prop Forum touching on some of these issues titled: “Superman Wardrobe and Super38 Armando“. Read more

Florida Man Faces Felony Charges in eBay Art Fraud Scam

A very interesting article was posted today at the Saint Petersburg Times website which is directly relevant to the original prop collecting hobby.

Per the report, citing Tampa and New Jersey police, a man was suspected of selling fraudulent art on eBay. One of the Tampa police detectives posed as a customer and won two auctions on eBay, paid the seller, and received the artwork, described as original and authentic works by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, for $3,500.

The works were received, along with fraudulent certificates of authenticity.

Following an assessment from a local appraiser that the pieces were not authentic, a warrant was issued and the eBay seller, Ethem Ulge, “turned himself in to a Hillsborough County jail on felony charges, including grand theft in the third degree, organized fraud less than $20,000 and fraudulent use of personal information.” Read more

Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – A Four Day News Story?

As covered in several previous articles (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – The Official Data’s Poker Visor Description Amendment“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. Read more

Website Reviews: The Star Wars Helmet Archive, The Sci-FI Movie Helmet Archive

This is actually a joint review of two websites from the same creator/owner:

Website Name: Star Wars Helmet Archive

Website URL: http://www.starwarshelmets.com

Website Description: “Welcome to www.StarWarsHelmets.com the helmet, armor and costume archive from the Star Wars galaxy. This site is a showcase of the very best Star Wars props; Original, Licensed and Fan-made.” Read more

Little John’s Auction Service “Extremely Important Collector’s Auction” January 22-23, 2008

In in quick review of the new catalog for the Little John’s Auction Service January 22-23 event (“Extremely Important Collector’s Auction“) , there does not appear to be much of interest to movie and television original prop collectors specifically (though a few non-Stembridge pieces): Read more

Time Magazine: “The Movies’ Best-Loved Costumes”

Time Magazine’s Time.com has a compilation of “The Movies’ Best-Loved Costumes”, with results based on a poll. Read more

More HD War Developments Out of CES

As reported a few days ago (see “HD Format War Developments“), Warner Bros. Entertainment will be releasing its high-definition titles “exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year”. A few days later the Financial Times reported on rumors that Paramount was set to follow suit (see FT.com, “Paramount in HD blow“), though Bloomberg.com (see “Paramount Denies Report It Will Drop Toshiba’s HD DVD (Update2)“) reported shortly after that Paramount was denying those rumors, though the official statement was carefully worded: Read more

Weta Workshop Chosen for Justice League of America Costumes

Per stuff.co.nz, Weta Workshop (famous for costume and weapon design on the Lord of the Rings trilogy) has been selected to create the costumes for the upcoming Justice League of America film. Read more

Speed Racer’s Mach 5 Debuts at Detroit’s Autoshow

Per Edmunds, the Mach 5 prop vehicle from the upcoming Speed Racer film will be on display at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Read more

Deactivated Firearms & UK Restrictions – Update

This is a follow-up to an article posted a few days ago, “More Potential Restrictions in the UK – Deactivated Firearms May Be Banned“, which referenced an article from the Press Association reporting on the Home Secretary commenting about outlawing deactivated firearms.

Also of interest are previous reports about restrictions in the UK – “Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK” and the “Update” to that article – which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of that legislation on prop collectors and dealers.

Stephen Lane of The Prop Store of London has provided some additional information today in regards to these developments, and a request of UK-based original prop hobbyists that have deactivated firearms in their collections: Read more

HD Format War Developments

As one who has supported both of the new high definition formats (see “High Definition Screencaps: Overview of Blu-Ray Disc, HD-DVD, & Initial Experiences“), I’ve always thought that both Blu-Ray Disc and HD-DVD, from a user/consumer standpoint, have thus far appeared equal to me in terms of quality of the products released thus far. As far as the “format war” has gone, I’ve generally picked up the Blu-Ray version for dual release products, and not hesitated to buy HD-DVD exclusives for those films that interest me. My own guess as to how this would play out is that both formats would succeed to varying degrees and it was more likely that electronics companies would manufacture equipment that support playback of both formats. Read more

fans4writers.com Charity Auction in Support of Writers

There is a website holding charity auctions of Hollywood memorabilia in support of writers during the current writer’s strike.

Here is a link to the web page and current auctions: fans4writers.com Read more

Heritage Auction Galleries: Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Signature Auction – Dallas, April 4-6, 2008

Heritage Auction Galleries next Music & Entertainment Memorabilia auction will be held in Dallas, Texas on April 4-6, 2008. Read more

More Potential Restrictions in the UK – Deactivated Firearms May Be Banned

This is an pertinent to the prior articles (Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK, the Update to that article), which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of this legislation on prop collectors and dealers. Thanks to Simon Lee of DieHardProps.com for the heads up on this new development. Read more

Bonhams: Entertainment Memorabilia Auction – Knightsbridge, January 15, 2008

Bonhams next Entertainment Memorabilia auction will be held in Knightsbridge on January 15, 2008. Read more

Original Prop Hobby – 2007 Year in Review

What follows is a summary view of my perspective and personal opinion of the hobby, looking back at 2007. It has been a very interesting year, with a lot of activity and stories and experiences. Read more

Original Prop Blog – Year End Recap

Since starting the Original Prop Blog in mid-April, there have generally been consistent gains in activity, month to month. Read more