eBay’s *stoneark*: “Buyer/Bidder Network” Analysis – Part 1

30 days ago, I began performing an analysis of eBay seller *stoneark* (AKA stonark, AKA Corner Collectibles, AKA Cornner Collectibles) and bid participation patterns on his listings of “guaranteed authentic” wardrobe attributed to various classic Hollywood stars.  As a result, I identified 8 accounts that share not only some remarkable coincidences, but nearly each one has transacted with all of the rest, in addition to buying from *stoneark*.

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Original Prop Hobby – 2008 Year in Review

As was the case last year (see 2007 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial review of my personal views with regards to the hobby, looking back at the top trends and news stories of 2008.  As always, there were a lot of interesting developments and events, and quite a bit to review and consider. Read more

Tim Gardner Threatens Lawsuit Against The Original Prop Blog

I received the following e-mail yesterday from someone identifying himself as Tim Gardner (“Planet Superhero”), threatening a lawsuit against Original Prop Blog, LLC. Read more

Government Auction “Original” Christopher Reeve Superman Costume Sells for Over $100,000.00

As noted last week (see Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: December 2008, Part 2), GovernmentAuction.com offered for sale a Superman costume marketed as “original” and “worn by Christopher Reeve” in the movie, Superman.  Today this costume sold at public auction for $92,200.00 ($101,420.00 including the 10% Buyer’s Premium).  Read more

eBay’s stonark / *stoneark*: More On “Doumont Auction – World of Hollywood” Provenance

As has been noted in past features (see Market Watch | “stonark” / “*stoneark*” (Corner Collectibles / Cornner Collectibles)), eBay seller *stoneark* (recently changed from stonark) has paired Letters of Authenticity and Certificates of Authenticity from auction houses and a variety of other sources.  I have been unable to verify the existence of most of these firms and individuals, which has raised a number of questions as to provenance.  Read more

Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings, Version 1.5

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

Superman Costume Matrix: eBay Listing Public Offerings, Version 1.2

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 Costumes in the Marketplace: December 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”.

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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

Heritage Auction Galleries “Holiday Catalog” Of High End Collectibles, Includes F-16 Falcon From X-Men 2

Heritage Auction Galleries is hosting their “Heritage for the Holidays” catalog on their HA.com website.  Among “holy grail” of offerings – including stamps, comic books, sports memorabilia, art, book first editions, currency, historical artifacts, – are a handful of movie-related memorabilia pieces.  Included is an F-16 Fighting Falcon attributed to X-Men 2 and Independence Day. Read more

Los Angeles Jury Finds in Favor of AMPAS Over Pickford Heirs in Oscar Case

Picking up from the report published in January (see Oscar Statuette Legal Dispute Between Heirs & The Academy), the L.A. Times today reports that a jury has decided in favor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), prohibiting the sale of a 1930 Oscar (Academy Award) which heirs of Mary Pickford had planned to auction, with proceeds to benefit a charity, the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony.  The Academy has the first right of refusal to buy the award – valued at hundreds of thousands – for $10. Read more

eBay Live Auctions: R.I.P.

While there are still two weeks until eBay Live Auctions is retired officially, given that the Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 34″ ended over the weekend, for all intents and purposes for the original prop hobby, it is finished. Read more

Another “Original” Luke Skywalker Lightsaber Offered For Sale

eBay seller biscolors has today listed for sale a prop “Luke Skywalker” lightsaber marketed as an “original prop” from Return of the Jedi and “one that was made for Mark Hamill as backup”, referencing Norman Harrison and Norank Engineering at Elstree Studios as the source. Read more

StarWarsHelmets.com Video Review: Original “Empire Strikes Back” AT-AT Driver Helmet

Jez at StarWarsHelmets.com has produced the third in his series of excellent “video reviews”, this one featuring an original AT-AT Driver helmet from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, along with the history and development of this prop, including it’s prior use as a Tie Fighter Pilot helmet in Star Wars: A New Hope.

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Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 33″ Held Today

Profiles in History’s “Hollywood Auction 33″ was held today, which offered a number of original movie and television props, costumes, and other memorabilia.  The auction was held on site at the Profiles in History offices in Calabasas Hills, with off-site bidding available over the Internet via eBay Live Auctions and LiveAuctioneers, as well as direct via mail, fax, and by phone. Read more

Screaming Tiki Con Promoter Peter Smith Files Complaint Against Celebrity Organizer Tim Gardner

Ohio’s Tribute Chronicle (see TribToday.com) published two articles in recent weeks about a dispute between Screaming Tiki Comic and Pop Culture Convention promoter Peter Smith and celebrity organizer Tim Gardner.  The news organization reports that Mr. Smith filed a complaint which resulted in criminal charges being filed against Mr. Gardner. Read more

Fox News Channel Interviews LiveAuctioneers CEO About Profiles in History… Still No Mention of Profiles in History

A few days ago, there was an interesting ABC News interview with LiveAuctioneers CEO Julian Ellison about this week’s Profiles in History auction events (see Hollywood Auction 33 & Hollywood Auction 34) – with absolutely no mention of Profiles in History whatsoever.  The trend continues, with a Fox News Channel “Strategy Room” round table discussion in which the auction is discussed with absolutely no mention of Profiles in History. Read more

eBay’s Empty The Attic (empty_the_attic): More Grey Shirts At Auction, Twilight Movie

Back in October, I corresponded with eBay Power Seller “empty_the_attic“, inquiring about the source and provenance of the “off the shelf” wardrobe pieces offered for sale to the public on eBay.  I did not find the responses to be compelling nor verifiable and I never received a response in request for the proof of existence of the “group of wardrobe and prop personnel who have joined together to sell to private buyers”. Read more

Stargate Legacy Auctions

Stargate isn’t a show that I follow, but it appears that they have recently started offering original props on eBay as stargate_legacy.  Read more

ABC News Interviews LiveAuctioneers CEO About Profiles in History… With No Mention of Profiles in History

There is an interesting video of an ABC News interview with LiveAuctioneers CEO Julian Ellison about this week’s Profiles in History auction events (see Hollywood Auction 33 & Hollywood Auction 34) – with absolutely no mention of Profiles in History whatsoever. Read more

eBay’s *stoneark*: Another Name Change & Duplicate Listings With Different Attributions

As a short update to the *stoneark* (AKA stonark, AKA Corner Collectibles) articles, a reader pointed out to me today that there are two active and concurrent eBay listings depicting the same dress, but with two different attributions – to both Myrna Loy and June Harver.  Additionally, eBay’s *stoneark* (formerly stonark, sans “e” and asterisks) have changed their company name from Corner Collectibles to Cornner Collectibles (now with two “n’s”). Read more

eBay Deletes “Trust & Safety” Discussion Topic About *stoneark* (AKA stonark, AKA Corner Collectibles)

Today, eBay has deleted a discussion topic on their own “Trust & Safety (SafeHarbor)” discussion forum, part of their “Answer Center” where eBay users are encouraged to “[s]hare questions or experience with members”.  This was a topic I initiated in September seeking assistance in verifying the sources of memorabilia marketed as authentic by eBay dealer *stoneark* (AKA stonark AKA Corner Collectibles).  Read more

Watchmen Video Journal: Propmaster Jimmy Chow

There is a video over on FirstShowing.net, originating from Omlette.com.br, which features some behind the scenes with Jimmy Chow, propmaster of the forthcoming Watchmen film. Read more

Angels Costumiers “The Vintage Fashion, Retro Film and TV Clothing Sale” – Update

This is an update to the article published early last month, (see Angels Costumiers “The Vintage Fashion, Retro Film and TV Clothing Sale” – December 6, 2008), with full details about tomorrow’s sale event. Read more

James Bond Original Movie Memorabilia Values Continue To Soar

Two recent public auctions have featured original James Bond memorabilia, realizing prices that continue to mark the 007 franchise as one of the most sought out and valued by collectors. Read more

Forrest J. Ackerman: 1916-2008

Forrest J. Ackerman passed today at age 92.  One of the most influential people in science fiction and fantasy, Mr. Ackerman was well known as a writer, editor, publisher, literary agent, collector, and more.  He died in his home in Los Angeles today of heart failure. Read more

eBay’s stonark AKA *stoneark* AKA Corner Collectibles, Version 2.1

The following is an updated version of compilation articles about eBay seller *stoneark* (aka stonark, aka Corner Collectibles) previously published on August 12, 2008 (Original Article) & September 18, 2008 (“2.0″ Article).  This “2.1″ version is a compilation of the last “2.0″ version along with material from related articles published subsequently.

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A Case Against Buying “Original” TV & Movie Props, Costumes, and Memorabilia as Gifts

This will probably be the shortest editorial I’ve written, as it is an easy argument to make.  My view is – and this is something I’ve personally stressed to friends and family for years – buying an “original” movie or television prop or costume as a gift is a well-intended but very bad idea.  Read more

Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: December 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”.

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Les Hemstock “Charlie Chaplin” Bamboo Cane Returns to Market; Classic Hollywood Hats

This is an update to previous articles which cataloged events surrounding a bamboo cane attributed to use by Charlie Chaplin, which Les Hemstock appears to have acquired on eBay and consigned for sale with Signature House and their Auction XXXV event in October 2008, where it was withdrawn prior to the live auction.  Read more

Dual Forbes Magazine Articles on Michael Shaw, Joseph Maddalena, The Wizard of Oz

There are two new features today on Forbes.com related to the original prop collecting hobby.  One, “Behind the Scenes with an Obsessive Collector”, outlines Joseph Maddalena’s origins of acquiring an interest in collecting movie memorabilia, and his own lifelong pursuit for the broomstick from The Wizard of Oz.  The other, “Inside the Search for Dorothy’s Slippers”, shares the story of the ruby slippers stolen from Michael Shaw in 2005. Read more

Olga Kurylenko’s Dress from Quantum of Solace Sells at Charity Auction

The Prada dress and Gina shoes worn by Olga Kurylenko in the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, sold for £7,000 in a charity auction event to benefit the Muir Maxwell Trust.  The “Casino Royale” event raised a total of £400,000 in the organization’s efforts to support to children and their families coping with severe epilepsy. Read more

Battlestar Galactica Original Prop Auction Update – Live Event Catalog Available Online

The electronic version of the Propworx auction catalog for their upcoming Battlestar Galactica prop auction is available for download – the live event is is scheduled for January 16-18, 2009 in Pasadena, CA.  Read more

Original Prop Blog – November 2008 Stats

The latest traffic stats for Original Prop Blog, as of November 30, 2008… Read more