Book Review: Hollywood and History, Costume Design in Film

This is a review of Hollywood and History, Costume Design in Film. This book is an excellent resource made up of a series of essays and photos outlining the comprehensive history of wardrobe design in film.  Read more

“One of a Kind” Krypton Baby Superman Blanket

eBay seller “fearlessgreen” has listed an “original” and “one of a kind” blanket attributed to use in Superman: The Movie.  While I have generally limited my Superman-related articles to the costumes, this is one example in which a claim is contrary to evidence from prior public auctions, as well as adds another example to the ongoing Bermans and Nathans asset tag analysis (see Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Bermans & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis). Read more

StarWarsHelmets.com Video Review: Original “Star Wars”/”Empire Strikes Back” Stormtrooper Helmet

Jez at StarWarsHelmets.com sent me a link to an excellent “video review” of an original Stormtrooper helmet he had an opportunity to examine in 2004.  This is a very rare helmet in that it is HDPE/Polythene “Fishpond” helmets produced for Star Wars: A New Hope before changing to use of ABS material.  More, it was subsequently reused in The Empire Strikes Back, and screen-matched to a scene in the film. Read more

High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Super Hollywood” Superman Costume Photo Comparison

In January 2008, a costume offered for sale on eBay was described as an “Authentic Original Costume” worn in Superman: The Movie by Christopher Reeve, which was supported by the “Super Hollywood” Letter of Authenticity that accompanied it.  This auction was archived in Original Prop Blog articles at the time (see Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update & Update 2).  Read more

Remarketing Associates “Major Studio Prop Collection” Auction – Oct 3rd & 4th in Los Angeles

Remarketing Associates, Inc. is holding a 2-day auction on October 3rd and 4th in Los Angeles, selling what they describe as over 1,000 lots from an unidentified “Major Studio Prop House Collection”.  Bidding is also available online at Proxibid.com. Read more

Follow-up: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea & Red Baron ‘Nautilus Model’ Auction

Since publishing the article a few days ago about the final auction event to be held by Red Baron’s Antiques (see Red Baron Antiques Final “End of an Era” Auction September 27-28, 2008), prop collectors very familiar with the film 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea have provided some photos and observations related to the auction for the Nautilus model described as an “80″ Studio prop believed to be one of the submarines used in the 1954 movie“. Read more

Warner Bros. “You Must Remember This” 3-Part Series on PBS

You Must Remember This: The Warner Brothers Story will air September 23, 24, and 25 at 9:00 PM each night as a three part series under the PBS “American Masters” program.  The five hour film is made of five parts – “You Aint’ Heard Nothin’ Yet (1923-1935)”, “Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)”, “A New Reality (1950-1970)”, “Woodstock Nation (1970-1980)”, and “The Big Tent (1980-Present)”. Read more

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra “Lord of the Rings” Event, Original Prop Exhibit Photo Recap

This is a follow-up to the two prior articles (first, second) noting the exhibition of original props and costumes on display at The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra performance of Howard Shore’s score for the Lord of the Rings films this past weekend. Read more

Screen-Match Examples Series: Rush Hour LAPD Credentials

Back in April 2007, I published an article titled “Screen-Match Examples“, which presented photos of props which “match” stills from movie and television featuring that same original prop or wardrobe piece.  Given that this is a popular topic in the hobby, I thought I would develop this into a series of articles feautring additional examples.  This update presents a match from the film, Rush Hour. Read more

Red Baron Antiques Final “End of an Era” Auction September 27-28, 2008

Red Baron Antiques will be holding their final auction on September 27th and 28th in Atlanta, GA.  The “End of an Era” auction will be comprised of antiques, but one original movie prop included in the sale will be what is claimed to be one of the 80″ studio prop submarines from 20,0000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954). Read more

Premiere Props: “Fangoria’s Horror Movie Prop Auction”, October 11, 2008

Premiere Props is holding a live auction in El Segundo on October 11, 2008 – “Fangoria’s Horror Movie Prop Auction”.  Full details can be found at the PremiereProps.com website: Read more

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra “Lord of the Rings” Event, Original Prop Exhibit Photo Preview

Below is a photo preview of some of the Lord of the Rings original props and wardrobe on display tonight and tomorrow night at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra event (as announced yesterday): Read more

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra “Lord of the Rings” Event, Original Prop Exhibit

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra will be performing Howard Shore’s score for the Lord of the Rings films on September 19th and 20th.  This event is sold out.  However, a private collector will have on display a number of original props from the Trilogy. Read more

eBay’s “stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”), Version 2.0

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:

The following is an updated version of an article published August 12, 2008 – eBay’s “stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”) – this will be considered a “2.0″ version of the same article.  No content of the original article has been edited, but additional research, documents, findings, and questions have been included and designated as such.

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Battlestar Galactica Auction Date & Location Set

As a follow-up last month’s audio interview with Propworx CEO, Alec Peters, he has since announced the date and location of the first live auction, along with other details.  Per the official BattleStarProps.com website: Read more

Website Review: HeroComm (HeroComm.com)

HeroComm is an excellent website dedicated to providing fans of Star Trek with a tremendous library and resource dedicated to the study, authentication, and celebration of the classic communicator prop from the Original Series.  Read more

Superman “Clark Kent” Suit, Bermans & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis

A costume was listed on eBay yesterday, attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the film, Superman: The Movie.  This wardrobe set, which “CAME FROM A HIGH PROFILED COLLECTOR WITH LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY”, has a Berman & Nathans asset tag that resembles those reviewed in a previous article (see Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Bermans & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis). Read more

eBay “Drop-Off” Seller Editorial: Response to Reader Comment

Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars published a “Reader Comment” to this week’s editorial about eBay “drop-off” sellers (see A Case Against eBay “Drop-Off” Vendors Selling Original Props).  Given that Rick takes issue with me on a number of fronts, I took the time to respond to each of his points, and thought it would be appropriate to highlight his concerns.

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Comparing “jsnent” and “jnsmcmahan” Photos on eBay

In a prior article, “Classic” Film & Television Prop and Wardrobe eBay Sellers, I made note of a number of similarities between the items offered for sale on eBay by “jsnent” (confirmed to be John Tarter of L.A. Prop and Wardrobe) and “jnsmcmahan“.  This serves as a short update including a pictorial side-by-side comparison of photos from listings offered under each account. Read more

A Case Against eBay “Drop-Off” Vendors Selling Original Props

As inherently problematic buying “original” props and wardrobe on eBay may be, the risks are that much higher if the seller listing the item is a “drop-off” company.  Such offerings introduce additional issues that collectors should be aware of and consider.  Read more

eBay “NARU” Status: Irrelevant? Meaningless? Temporary?

I’ve noticed more and more of late that eBay users will have their accounts converted to “NARU”, or “No Longer A Registered User” (also “Not a Registered User”) status by eBay, and then later the accounts appear reactivated.  Read more

Rick’s Custom Props Video Feature on NewsChannel8 in Portland

The segment below was aired on KGW NewsChannel 8 in Portland Oregon, featuring prop maker Rick Gamez:

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“Planet of the Apes” Statue of Liberty Prop Update – Reader Comment (Apemania.com), eBay Auction Archive

This is an update to a series of articles beginning late last year investigating the public sale of a Statue of Liberty head attributed to the 1968 classic, Planet of the Apes.  Owner Les Hemstock consigned this piece to multiple auction houses, where it either failed to sell or was pulled prior to the event, and then later listed it for sale on eBay under his kcotsmeh account.  Read more

Heritage Auction Galleries “Signature Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction″ Catalog Available Online (October 2008)

The Heritage Auction Galleries website now offers the online catalog and listings for their upcoming event, “Signature Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction – Auction #696″, to be held October 4-6 in Dallas, Texas.

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Upcoming Auction Event Calendar Snapshot

Below 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

Standard Resolution Still Image Reference Archive: Superman IV (1987)

This article provides an archive of stills from the film, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.  This film is not available in any high definition (HD DVD or Blu-Ray) disc format, so these captures are in standard definition (1079×607), as was the case with Superman III (see Reference Archive: Superman III). Read more

Land’s End “Doctor Who Up Close” Exhibit at Cornwall, UK

Land’s End in Cornwall, UK is hosting a Doctor Who exhibit through the end of the year.  Full details can be found at the Land’s End website, including the summary below: Read more

Ordinary People Change The World: Charity Auction & Efforts To Save Jerry Siegel’s Childhood Home, Birthplace of Superman

The Siegel & Shuster Society and Brad Meltzer are working together to organize and sponsor a series of charitable auctions to raise funds to help protect, restore, and preserve the childhood home of Superman creator Jerry Siegel. Read more

Restoring The American Werewolf in London (Tom Spina Designs)

Tom Spina of Tom Spina Designs has recently completed the restoration of the original werewolf from “American Werewolf in London“, a piece for which Rick Baker received his first Academy Award.  Read more

Original Prop Blog – August 2008 Stats

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

Standard Resolution Still Image Reference Archive: Superman III (1983)

This article provides an archive of stills from the film, Superman III.  This film is not available in any high definition (HD DVD or Blu-Ray) disc format, so these captures are in standard definition (1153×649). Read more