Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: August 2008, Part 3

This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic”.  Read more

Anatomy of an “Original” Movie Prop Certificate of Authenticity (kellysheroesmilitaria Update 7)

This is a follow-up to previous articles (see kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props…, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3, Update 4, Update 5, Update 6) in which “original prop” auctions by “kellysheroesmilitaria” on eBay were compared with non-movie prop matching items available for sale from online retailers, as well as non-movie prop purchases made on eBay by “kellysheroesmilitaria” and items that appear to match being offered for sale as “original props” from the same eBay account.  Read more

“ComicLink”/”Super Museum” Superman Costume: Auction Outcome Update

Tonight the auction for the Superman costume offered for sale at public auction by “ComicLink.com” with the Letter of Authenticity from Jim Hambrick of the Super Museum ended with 33 bids for a price realized of $3,600, though the unstated reserve was not met.  Read more

Charity Auction: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation

A series of auction items are available on eBay in support of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, including a number of “VIP Experiences”, set/show visits, and various television-related memorabilia.  The auctions are scheduled to run through September 4th. Read more

Sotheby’s Refuses to Return Consignment Following Ownership Dispute

There is an article at Maine Antique Digest about a dispute over a Thomas Jefferson letter consigned to the Sotheby’s auction house – the Attorney General of the state of New Jersey sent a letter to Sotheby’s prior to the auction event, claiming ownership of the document.  Read more

Charity Auction: “VIP Experience” Set Visit, Walk On Role in Spider-Man 4

Stand Up To Cancer (see StandUp2Cancer.org) listed on eBay today an auction listing for a set visit, walk on role, and more for the production of the film Spider-Man 4.  The 10-day auction is slated to end September 5th.  Per IMDb (LINK), the film is anticipated for a release in May of 2011. Read more

The Definitive Original Superman Costume Primer by Martin Lakin at CapedWonder.com

Jim Bowers of CapedWonder.com informed me of a new article by Martin Lakin (with Chris King) published on his site today – IS IT SILK? IS IT PLASTIC?: A Study of the ‘Superman’ Movie Costumes 1978-1987.  This study is, in my opinion, the definitive primer on original Superman costumes from the Christopher Reeve films of the 70s and 80s.  It is well-written, remarkably well-researched, rich with information and details, and presented as an excellent all-in-one overview resource.  Read more

Madonna, Marquee Capital, & “High Quality Memorabilia Investments”

There is often a preoccupation with “value” in mainstream media coverage of the original prop collecting hobby.  Today there has been a lot of little news bytes with regards to a company called “Marquee Capital” and the announcement of an exhibition of “film and stage costumes and artefacts” from Madonna.  Read more

ABC7 News Video Feature on “Collectors Book Store” Auction in December

ABC7 News has a short video broadcast available online with details about the “Collectors Book Store” 5-day auction coming this December from Profiles in History.  This will be one of three auctions held by Profiles that month (the other two being the Hollywood Wax Museum auction and their traditional Hollywood Auction). Read more

More from Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum)

I have received another e-mail message from Jim Hambrick with regard to the questions about the Superman costume currently at auction with “ComicLink” citing as provenance the notarized Letter of Authenticity signed by Jim Hambrick, Supermuseum (LINK).  Read more

Response to Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum) Message

Below is the reaction to Jim Hambrick’s message published Friday (see Response from Jim Hambrick (Supermuseum / Super Museum)…).  This response is limited in scope to a few specific points that are on topic with the original article (see “ComicLink” Superman Costume Auction…). Read more

Response from Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum) Regarding Questions About Original Superman Costumes in the Marketplace

I have received the e-mail message below with regard to my direct invitation to Mr. Hambrick to publicly respond to the questions raised in the article published Wednesday (see “ComicLink” Superman Costume Auction & Questions for Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum)) about the Superman costume offered for sale at public auction by “ComicLink.com” with the Letter of Authenticity from Jim Hambrick, Supermuseum: Read more

Hollywood Movie & TV Custom Car Show, Cradle of Aviation Museum: August 23rd and 24th

The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island, New York will be holding the Hollywood Movie & TV Custom Car Show this weekend, August 23rd & 24th.  The exhibit will feature cars from film and television from George Barris, “The King of Kustom Car Builders”. Read more

High Resolution Still Image Reference Archive: Superman (1978)

I have archived an assortment of screencaptures/screencaps/stills from the film Superman II in high resolution format (see Reference Archive: Superman II) to serve as a reference in the ongoing series of articles about costumes in the marketplace attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s.  This companion article provides an archive of stills from the original film, Superman: The Movie. Read more

Original “AT-AT Driver Helmet” from The Empire Strikes Back: Pictorial at StarWarsHelmets.com

I highly recommend collectors check out the latest article posted by Jez at his StarWarsHelmets.com website, which features quality photos of a very rare original Imperial AT-AT Driver prop helmet from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Read more

High Resolution Still Image Reference Archive: Superman II (1980)

I have archived an assortment of screencaptures/screencaps/stills from the film Superman II in high resolution format to serve as a reference in the ongoing series of articles about costumes in the marketplace attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s.  Read more

eBay Policy Update: Nearly “PayPal Only”

As part of the continuing coverage of developments related to eBay’s “PayPal Only” business model objectives, eBay President Lorrie Norrington announced a number of policy updates.  Some of these updates include the elimination of checks and money orders as a payment option (with the exception of “pick-up” transactions), which leaves users with very limited “electronic” options: credit cards, ProPay, and PayPal.  Read more

Major Prop/Wardrobe Estate Sale – August 23-24 in Agoura Hills, CA

The information and advertisement below is being distributed by Star Wares, with regards to “A Major Wardrobe / Prop House Entertainment and Memorabilia Sale”, in connection with “Estate Sales Los Angeles”, on August 23-24 in Agoura Hills, CA. Read more

“ComicLink” Superman Costume Auction & Questions for Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum)

A few collectors have directed my attention to an active auction on the website ComicLink.com, for a “Superman III” costume with a notarized “Letter of Authenticity” from Jim Hambrick of the “Super Museum” (also referred to as “Supermuseum”).  Read more

Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: August 2008, Part 2

This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic”.  Read more

LiveAuctioneers Positioning To Take eBay Live Auctions Business

eBay announced earlier this year that they would be dropping their eBay Live Auctions business on December 31, 2008 (see eBay Live Auction Format Being Retired at End of 2008).  The “Live Auction” format differs from eBay’s traditional business model of scheduled, “online-only” auctions, and typically (as it relates to original props, wardrobe, and memorabilia auctions from movies and television) provides collectors the ability to bid on items auctioned “live” over the Internet, in real time, in lieu of being present at the actual auction event with people bidding in person, with the auctioneer recognizing “floor” bids, telephone bids, absentee bids, and online bids.  It appears that LiveAuctioneers.com is positioning itself to absorb this business and compete in the live online auction space. Read more

Tools of Authentication: Categorizing & Classifying COAs

This is the first in a series of articles intended to discuss and build upon the tools of authentication: concepts, terminology, definitions, analysis, and more.  While Certificates of Authenticity, or “COAs”, have been the topic of a number of previous articles, the scope of this feature is to define and categorize COAs by 1) their source and 2) their function. Read more

Featured Audio Interview: Alec Peters, Propworx (Battlestar Galactica Auctions)

I spent some time today talking with Alec Peters, CEO of newly created Propworx, about the upcoming events promoting the final Battlestar Galactica episodes and the auction of original prop and costume assets from the show, in conjunction with NBC Universal Television (see Press Release).  In order to share a great deal of information about these topics, I conducted a taped interview which can be heard using the MP3 player below (Adobe Flash required): Read more

Classic Car Auction & Show: Auburn 2008

The 38th Annual Auburn Fall 2008 auction will be held in Auburn, Indiana August 28th – September 2nd.  This year’s event include the sale of one of the original Batmobiles from Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. Read more

Auction Productions “Firearms and Old West Auction & Show” in Deadwood

Auction Productions is managing an auction event August 16-17 in Deadwood, South Dakota.  Included in this auction as a few lots attributed to use in film and television, including a few pieces previously sold at the Stembridge Collection auction managed by Little John’s Auction Service. Read more

kellysheroesmilitaria Update 6: eBay Third Party Reporting Case Study Conclusion

As noted previously (see kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props: Update 4, eBay Third Party Reporting Case Study), I had used the eBay third party reporting systems (see eBay & Third Party Reporting (Fraud, Violations of Policy) to alert eBay to problematic listings while testing the effectiveness of sharing material information directly with eBay through their public systems in an effort to help them to enforce their own policies.  This article serves as an update and conclusion, marked by the occasion of kellysheroesmilitaria relisting one of the primary auctions reported to eBay. Read more

eBay’s “stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”)

UPDATE: A “Version 2.1″ edition of this article has been published on 12/05/08, which includes the original article below with additional information.  The new, updated version of this article is recommended:

eBay seller “stonark” (“Corner Collectibles”) was referenced in the “Classic” Film & Television Prop and Wardrobe eBay Sellers feature published in June.  As noted, “stonark” is one of several companies on eBay that sell notable quantities of Hollywood-related memorabilia marketed as authentic.  The “stonark” offerings are generally characterized as the personal property of Hollywood stars and notable famous figures from history. The purpose of this follow-up article is to research and examine some of the provenance attached to these pieces by “stonark” and to pose questions related to these documents and sources. Read more

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in NY: “Adventures in Cinema” Exhibit

The curator of the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, NY sent me some information and photos in regards to their current “Adventures in Cinema” exhibit, running through August 31, 2008.  This exhibit features original props and wardrobe from the Indiana Jones and Mummy franchises, Sahara, Secret of the Incas, and Road to Morocco. Read more

Jack Markowitz, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Movie Props are Silly Junk

There is an interesting article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by “retired business editor” and columnist Jack Markowitz – “Pop Culture Collectors Really Need to Take Stock” – which essentially denigrates the entire pursuit of collecting and preserving original movie and television props and costumes, as well as those who participate in the hobby.  This is my first exposure to this journalist’s work, but his premise seems to be that if something is not a Rembrandt or otherwise predate the invention of automobiles, film, and television, it is of no value – though value and money seem to be the focus of his feature. Read more

eBay’s “puttieface”/”votehillary” – “spadorcia”/”hoist73″

Mario Saricca, originally selling on eBay as “puttieface” (see eBay’s puttieface & Entertainment Movie Props), who later changed his eBay account name to “votehillary” (see …”votehillary” Update), only to have been removed from eBay less than two weeks ago (see eBay’s “puttieface”, “votehillary” No Longer a Registered User), appears to be trading under an alternate eBay account, “spadorcia”, which today was changed to “hoist73″.  Also of note, the EntertainmentMovieProps.com web store has been down since March (as reported in the story Reader Comment: “The Bride’s Hero Sword from Kill Bill”, Entertainment Movie Props). Read more

AntiqueWeek Feature on “Global Antiques”

The latest edition of AntiqueWeek includes a front page feature by Eric C. Rodenberg on the Global Antiques props sold on eBay by Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, and Historic Souvenirs.  Per their website, AntiqueWeek has “the largest paid circulation of any antiques and collectibles newspaper in the United States”.  The full story can be read online at antiqueweek.com – “Sales of bogus movie props lead to suspensions on eBay” – also archived below: Read more

Superman Costume Matrix: eBay Listing Public Offerings, Version 1.0

This work product is part of the ongoing series of articles about Superman costumes in the marketplace, tracking public eBay listing sales of costume items attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“).  Read more

Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings, Version 1.3

This work product is part of the ongoing series of articles about Superman costumes in the marketplace, tracking public auction house sales of costume items attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“). Read more

The 2nd Annual B-Movie Celebration – Franklin, Indiana from September 26-28, 2008

Information about the Indy Film Co-Op’s 2nd Annual B-Movie Celebration has been announced on the official site, which includes The B Movie Gala and Auction on September 26th at The Johnson County Museum of History in Franklin, Indiana. Read more

Superman Costume Color Analysis & Reference: BLUE

This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic”.   As part of the ongoing analysis, and in buidling tools to assist with authenticating costumes currently in the marketplace, I thought it would be productive to analyze the colors of the costume, and establish benchmarks using confirmed authentic costumes as reference.

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eBay Pulls Authentic Prop from Charity Auction; Unlicensed Replicas of Same Prop Okay…

As noted last month (see The X-Files: “Gillian’s Charity Auction”), Gillian Anderson has offered a great number of memorabilia items and “event/experiences” for auction on eBay, with all proceeds benefiting a number of excellent charity causes.  The highlight of these auctions is a set of the FBI credentials used by Ms. Anderson in her role of Dana Scully in the television series, The X-Files.  Yesterday, eBay canceled this auction due to a violation of policy…  yet today, as well as historically, unlicensed and copyright infringing copies of this authentic prop are freely listed and sold on the auction service website. Read more

kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props: Update 5 – “item no longer available for sale”

This is a follow-up to previous articles (see kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props…, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3) in which original prop auctions by “kellysheroesmilitaria” on eBay were compared with matching items available for sale from online retailers, as well as non-movie prop purchases made on eBay by “kellysheroesmilitaria” and items that appear to match being offered for sale as original props under the same eBay account.  The subject eBay listing of the Update 4 article has been canceled by the seller for the following stated reason:

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Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: August 2008, Part 1

This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic”.  Read more

kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props: Update 4, eBay Third Party Reporting Case Study

This is a follow-up to previous articles (see kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props…, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3) in which original prop auctions by “kellysheroesmilitaria” on eBay were compared with matching items available for sale from online retailers, as well as non-movie prop purchases made on eBay by “kellysheroesmilitaria” and items that appear to match being offered for sale as original props under the same eBay account.  A reader drew my attention to a new set of auctions, which is followed by a note about eBay third party reporting in practice. Read more

Profiles in History 32 Held Yesterday, Today

Profiles in History 32 was held yesterday and today, with the vintage photos and related material making up Day 1 and posters, one sheets, props, costumes, and related material making up Day 2.  The auction was held on site at Profiles in Calabasas Hills, with off-site bidding available over the Internet via eBay Live Auctions, by fax, and by phone. Read more

Original Prop Blog – July 2008 Stats

Below are the latest traffic stats for Original Prop Blog, as of July 31, 2008: Read more

Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets Update: High Court Ruling Excerpts on LFL v. SDS Case

Given the British High Court ruling on the case of Lucasfilm vs. Andrew Ainsworth (see Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice), and the additional information available from the court documents, I thought it would be a good opportunity to build on the prior OPB article exploring the “prototype” Stormtrooper helmets (see Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets) trading in the marketplace as original and authentic precursors to the helmets used on set and filmed in Star Wars: A New Hope. Read more