eBay’s “kellysheroesmilitaria” No Longer A Registered User

The account of “kellysheroesmilitaria” has been suspended on eBay, showing a status of “No longer a registered user” and “Not a registered user” (also known as “NARU”).  Read more

Bonhams: Entertainment Memorabilia Auction – Knightsbridge, November 25, 2008

Bonhams next Entertainment Memorabilia auction (including “The Private World of Spike Milligan) will be held at Knightsbridge in the UK on November 25, 2008. Read more

Elstree Props “100% Unconditional Guarantee” Update

When Elstree Props listed their business for sale on eBay in November 2007 (see Elstree Props Retiring, Offering Business For Sale), I posed the following question with regard to the “100% unconditional guarantee”: Read more

Star Wares Collectibles & Piece of the Past Form New Partnership/Ownership Arrangement

I’ve been in communications with Marcia Tysseling, founder of Star Wares Collectibles, and Kevin Martin of Piece of the Past, Inc. about Mr. Martin’s majority acquisition of Star Wares, Ms. Tysseling’s role, and the future of the company.  I have received a few questions and heard various rumors recently, so I thought I would seek clarification to share with hobbyists in this report. Read more

James Bond, Prop Store, TV Film Memorabilia Magazine

There is a two page spread in the current issue of TV Film Memorabilia Magazine out of the UK featuring an interview with Stephen Lane of The Prop Store of London, discussing original James Bond movie memorabilia, including original props and wardrobe. Read more

Book Review: Dressed, A Century of Hollywood Costume Design

This is a review of Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design by Deborah Nadoolman Landis. This is hands down one of the most impressive books in my library of works related to original props and costumes. Read more

More On James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Props

I have continued to conduct further research into the history of the “golden gun” from the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun, following mainstream media reports that the original prop was stolen from Elstree Props at Elstree Studios. Read more

Premiere Props: “Holiday Movie Prop Auction”, November 8, 2008

Premiere Props has announced their “Holiday Movie Prop Auction” live event, scheduled for November 8, 2008 in El Segundo, CA. Read more

The Hollywood Reporter on The Hollywood Museum

There is a nice feature today by Martin A. Grove interviewing the founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan.  The non-profit museum, featuring over 10,000 pieces, includes “vintage photographs… collections of sets, props, costumes and the personal effects of hundreds of past and present movie stars”. Read more

Jalopnik: “Man Restores Griff Tannen’s Hover BMW from Back To The Future 2″

Jalopnik.com has a story by Matt Hardigree with photos of the original “Hover BMW” used by Griff Tannen in Back to the Future 2.  Jeff Chabotte acquired the original BMW 633 used in the film and restored it to the very custom and futuristic look as seen in the movie. Read more

“Den of Geek!” Interview with Roger Christian

Simon Brew has published an excellent 3-part interview with Roger Christian at DenOfGeek.com.  Mr. Christian has won multiple Academy Awards for art direction and set design work, with a body of work including Alien and Star Wars. Read more

The “Production Protection Program” (“P-3″): Retired?

Based on the transfer of ownership of Elstree Props (see Elstree Props, New Ownership, Announcement On Redesigned Website) and a near complete lack of evidence of it ever having been on the Internet, it appears that the “Production Protection Program”, or “P-3″, has been retired. Read more

Follow-Up: Charlie Chaplin Canes (Christie’s Auctions)

This is an follow-up to recent articles, which reviewed, in part, a bamboo cane attributed to use by Charlie Chaplin, which was part of an auction event by Signature House (on eBay and their own website) in their Auction XXXV – Autographs & Memorabilia Auction.  The prop was withdrawn a few days before the live auction event which was held October 11-12, 2008.  Read more

The Telegraph – James Bond Feature About 007 Memorabilia & Values

There is a feature in today’s Telegraph (telegraph.co.uk) about the value of James Bond/007 memorabilia, and the impact of the new film, Quantum of Solace.  As is typical with mainstream media reports on (in this case, in part only) original props and costumes, the focus is on monetary value, though there is a caveat with regards to provenance. Read more

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

This is a companion article to several previous features.  This article includes an archive of high resolution photos of the costume previously designated the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”.  In addition to photos of the costume itself, photos and analysis of the accompanying Super Hollywood (super38, Armando Alvarez, Ana Mungia) Letter of Authenticity also follows below. Read more

Julien’s Auction Bob Hope Event Today, Tomorrow in Beverly Hills

Julien’s Auction is holding their Bob Hope Estate Sale today in Beverly Hills.  A collector in attendance was kind enough to forward some photos to share with readers. Read more

“Momentum Design” Wardrobe Sale in Calgary, Online

Various Candian local news outlets have reported on a wardrobe sale by Momentum Design in Calgary.  Per reports, the 10,000 sq ft warehouse has as many as one million costume pieces used in film and television.  Some of the higher profiles pieces also appear to be listed on eBay. Read more

Elstree Props, New Ownership, Announcement On Redesigned Website

As I have heard from various hobbyists over the past several months, it is finally publicly announced that Elstree Props was sold.  The new owner has contacted me via e-mail and launched a new website today which includes a formal announcement. Read more

Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: October 2008

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

Concealed Carry Handguns Magazine: “Guns of James Bond”

The latest (through “Feb 2, 2009″) issue of Concealed Carry Handguns magazine has a special feature about the “Guns of James Bond” by Dennis Adler.  While no original props are featured in the photos, it is an interesting, more technical review of the firearms featured in the films, as well as the holsters. Read more

James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Props – Update

In the past few days, I have conducted additional research regarding the original “golden gun(s)” from the 1974 James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun.  This topic was raised by worldwide news reports covering a/the “golden gun” reported stolen from Elstree Props, a tenant within Elstree Studios.  Read more

More On Original Props from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

The topic of original props made for the film, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea was broached in two recent articles, focusing on a Nautilus model that was part of the final auction event held by Red Baron’s Antiques (see Red Baron Antiques Final “End of an Era” Auction September 27-28, 2008 and Follow-up: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea & Red Baron ‘Nautilus Model’ Auction). Read more

Questions About James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Props, Elstree Studios

As noted yesterday (see James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Studios), the “golden gun” from the 1974 James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun was reported stolen from Elstree Props, a tenant within Elstree Studios.  I have assembled some additional information, research, reports, and a list of questions that pertain to the prop and reported theft, as picked up by many news agencies worldwide. Read more

James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Studios

Per reports originating with the BBC, the “Golden Gun” from the 1974 James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun has been stolen from Elstree Studios. Read more

Superman Costume Matrix: eBay Listing Public Offerings, Version 1.1

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 category Market Watch : Superman). Read more

Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings, Version 1.4

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 category Market Watch : Superman). Read more

Tony Hawk Video Interview with Jon Favreau, Tour of Stan Winston Studios

There is a short video at ShredOrDie.com in which Tony Hawk interviews Jon Favreau about Iron Man, and it includes a brief tour of Stan Winston Studios.  Thanks to BigBadBat on the Replica Prop Forum for the link.

Read more

StarWarsHelmets.com Video Review: Original “Star Wars” Tie Fighter Helmet

Jez at StarWarsHelmets.com has produced the second in his series of excellent “video reviews”, this one featuring an original Tie Fighter helmet from Star Wars: A New Hope, along with the history and development of these props for the film.

Read more

Multiple Topic Update: Signature House Auction, Recent Superman Auctions, Les Hemstock (“kcotsmeh”)

This is an update to a variety of recent topics and articles covering the Signature House memorabilia auction as well as public auctions for various Superman-related wardrobe pieces offered in the last month. Read more

The Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum

There is an article published today on CityViewMag.com that talks about the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum, and its opening this Fall at the Belle Island Village in Pigeon Forge.  Read more

E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial & “BMX Plus!” Magazine (October 1982)

As a follow-up to an article published last year (see The Original BMX Bike from E.T. The Extra Terrestrial), I thought it would be productive to share some additional information about the custom Kuwahara BMX bikes used in the Steven Spielberg classic, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982), including an article from “BMX Plus!” magazine circa October 1982. Read more

eBay’s Empty The Attic (empty_the_attic), “Off The Shelf” Wardrobe, Provenance

Recently I corresponded with eBay Power Seller “empty_the_attic“, inquiring about the source and provenance of “off the shelf” wardrobe pieces offered for sale to the public on eBay (for an explanation of this concept, see prior OPB feature “Off The Shelf” and “Found” Props & Wardrobe).  Read more

eBay Policy Update: Nearly “PayPal Only” (More Details)

As an update to eBay’s frequent and ongoing policy changes to a “PayPal Only” payment system, details regarding previously announced changes that further integrate PayPal into parent company eBay have been further clarified.  Such changes include the elimination of checks and money orders under most circumstances. Read more

“Machine Gun News” Stembridge Gun Rentals Article – Circa 1996

I was able to find another old article from a long out of print magazine with a nice feature on Stembridge Gun Rentals, Inc. – circa 1996. This was published in the July 1996 issue of “Machine Gun News”, written by Dan Shea of Long Mountain Outfitters. Read more

Signature House Entertainment Memorabilia Auctions – Questions, Observations

Signature House (on eBay and their own website) is offering a number of movie and television props and wardrobe items for sale on eBay Live Auctions, in their Auction XXXV – Autographs & Memorabilia Auction, with live bidding on October 11-12, 2008.  Read more

“One of a Kind” Krypton Baby Superman Blanket – Update

This is an update to the original article – “One of a Kind” Krypton Baby Superman Blanket – posted a few days ago.  In the last report, eBay seller “fearlessgreen” had listed an “original” and “one of a kind” blanket attributed to use in Superman: The Movie.  Read more

Original Movie & TV Prop, Wardrobe, & Memorabilia Auctions: Upcoming Event Calendar Snapshot

Below is the latest updated list of upcoming original movie and television prop, wardrobe, and memorabilia auction events. Please contact me if you are aware of any coming events of interest to original prop collectors. Read more

Original Prop Blog – September 2008 Stats

Below are the latest traffic stats for Original Prop Blog, as of September 30, 2008: Read more