Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Week in Tweets’ (Through 07/31/09)

This is a weekly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account.  This archives all posts for the week ending 07/31/09. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Event Recap, Impressions, Experiences, Perspectives

As with last year’s event, I thought I’d share my own personal impressions and experiences about Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, to close out my series of articles and features on the event (see San Diego Comic Con 2009).  Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Short Video Interview with Mark Hamill (Return of the Jedi Lightsaber, “Lost” Tatooine Cave Scene)

While attending San Diego Comic Con, I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy.  Based on an article written last week (see Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)), and a series of articles published in 2007 (see Market Watch | Elstree Props | Return of the Jedi), I thought it would be a good opportunity to ask Mr. Hamill a few questions about the original lightsaber props he used in Return of the Jedi, as well as address the long-running controversy as to whether he filmed a scene in which he portrayed his character building his new lightsaber. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Video Interview with Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History (ABC’s “LOST” Auction)

I spent some time at the Profiles in History exhibit at San Diego Comic Con, and was especially interested to learn more details about the recently announced LOST auction, an event planned to coincide with the conclusion of the popular series in May 2010.   The following video interview with Joe Maddalena, President of Profiles in History, offers some great information about the LOST auction, the overall auction schedule of the company over the next year, and other items of interest to hobbyists. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Video Interview with Alec Peters, PropWorx

I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Alec Peters, CEO of PropWorx, while attending San Diego Comic Con.  The video interview includes a recap of the Battlestar Galactica auction (past and future), a “state of the hobby” review, talk about competition among other dealers/resellers and auction houses, a discussion of issues in the hobby, and news about the future of PropWorx. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display by Profiles in History (ABC’s LOST Auction Photos)

As part of the continuing coverage of original props and costumes at San Diego Comic Con, below are photos of costumes and props on display at the Profiles in History exhibitor space. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Video Interview with The Prop Store of London (Stephen Lane, Brandon Alinger, Tim Lawes, Dan Hill)

I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Stephen Lane, Tim Lawes, Brandon Alinger, and Dan Hill of The Prop Store of London while at San Diego Comic Con.  The video interview includes an introduction of the group, a review of the original props and costumes on display at the show, and a discussion of their experience at the convention this year. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display by The Prop Store of London

As part of the continuing coverage of original props and costumes at San Diego Comic Con, below are photos of costumes and props on display at the Prop Store of London exhibitor space.  Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display by Disney’s D23

As part of the continuing coverage of original props and costumes on display at San Diego Comic Con, below are photos of costumes and props made available to collectors by Disney’s D23.  Included are pieces from the popular Tron, The Black Hole, and The Rocketeer.  Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display in Exhibit Hall

In addition to pieces showcased by Profiles in History and The Prop Store of London, there are a number of original movie props on display at San Diego Comic Con this year.  Below is a compilation of many of the displays and exhibits I found on the show floor.  Additional articles covering Profiles in History, The Prop Store of London, and Disney will be published soon. Read more

Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Week in Tweets’ (Through 07/24/09)

This is a weekly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account.  This archives all posts for the week ending 07/24/09. Read more

Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)

This is an update to a series of articles about two prop lightsabers marketed by Paul Harrison, at the time owner of Elstree Props, which were described as original pieces made for the film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.  No such lightsabers appear in the finished film.  Though it has been some time since the last update, published in late 2007, I have obtained new information.  Included in this feature are photos of one of the props that I’ve been told were taken in late 2005, of a newly made custom replica lightsaber, prior to delivery to Paul Harrison.  The prop in these photos clearly matches one of the two Elstree Props lightsabers.  Was a newly made replica prop listed for sale to the public for $50,000.00? Read more

Profiles in History Announces “LOST” Auction; Sale of Original Props & Costumes from the ABC Television Series

Today Profiles in History has officially announced their upcoming auction for Disney & ABC’s “LOST”, which will include original props and costumes from the very popular television series.  The show is scheduled to concluded with its season finale in May 2010.  A special preview of these items will be on display at San Diego Comic Con later this week.

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Harrison/Elstree Props/Norank: Raiders of the Lost Ark ‘Staff of Ra’ Headpiece Props in the Marketplace

As a continuation of recent articles, the focus of this feature is the recent activity in the marketplace concerning the “Staff of Ra” headpiece props attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark – all of which appear to have originated from the Harrison family (who retired from and sold the “Elstree Props” business in early 2008 and now sell unlicensed replica props as “Norank Engineering” and on eBay as “unisusu”).  With one purchased for $450 and another offered for resale for $30,000 (along with a German hat), it certainly raises a number of questions and concerns, and warrants investigation, debate, and discussion. Read more

Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Week in Tweets’ (Through 07/17/09)

This is a weekly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account.  This archives all posts for the week ending 07/17/09.

With Twitter, in addition to posting notices of new Original Prop Blog articles, also published are brief reports and links to information of interest to readers that does not warrant a full report here on this site.  If you want all of the news and updates, you can follow me on Twitter at:  twitter.com/jason_debord Read more

Original Television and Movie Prop, Wardrobe, and Entertainment Memorabilia Auctions: Upcoming Event Calendar

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

“Who is N. Harrison?”: Update on Questions About Certificates of Authenticity Issued By Prior Owners of Elstree Props

As a continuation of the article published a few days ago (see ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Return to Oz’, Return to eBay, and Return of The Harrisons (formerly “Elstree Props”) from Retirement?) and direct update to one published back in February 2009 (see Elstree Props, Fertility Idols, Light Gods, Danziger Collection COAs (Multiple Topic Update)), I have secured additional information related to the outstanding question, “Who is N. Harrison?”, as signatory on “The Danziger Collection” of “Elstree Film Studios”, found on the previously issued Elstree Props COAs, prior to the change of ownership in early 2008.  Read more

Building on the Original Prop Lexicon: “Anti-Provenance”

I’ve found that there are many concepts in the original prop hobby for which words do not exist.  Having words to use with specific and unique meaning are powerful tools, and when there are none available that fit the need, putting together a new word with hopes it may be adopted can be productive.  In this case, a term is needed to describe an instance in which the source or an entity in the chain of ownership of a prop, costume, or other artifact has a distinctive and negative impact on the authentication of such a piece.  The word I plan to use to describe such a circumstance is “anti-provenance”. Read more

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Visit to Universal Studios Prop Department

Last night’s broadcast of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien featured Conan’s visit to the prop department at Universal Studios. Read more

Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Week in Tweets’ (Through 07/10/09)

This is a weekly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account.  This archives all posts for the week ending 07/10/09. Read more

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Return to Oz’, Return to eBay, and Return of The Harrisons (formerly “Elstree Props”) from Retirement?

eBay seller “unisusu“, who has identified himself as Luke Harrison, grandson of Norman Harrison and son of Paul Harrison, has been selling entertainment memorabilia with Norank Engineering/Elstree Props/”Danziger Collection” lineage/provenance.  Also of interest is the website norank.co.uk, more presumably unlicensed replica props attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark, a large supply of gold-plated “production made” crew gifts from Walt Disney’s Return to Oz, and other newly produced (presumably unlicensed) “for sale” replica pieces from the same film.   Read more

Problematic Words in the Hobby: “Production Made”

Going back to the very first articles of the Original Prop Blog – The Hobby Without a Name & What is “Original”? – there are always words that are frequently used that are problematic.  This will be the first in a series of articles which discusses some of these terms in some detail.  The term for this article: “Production Made”.

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More “Planet of the Apes” (The Terminal) Statue of Liberty Prop Revelations – John Tarter Provenance?

In April, the “Planet of the Apes” Statue of Liberty prop that has long been the focus of an ongoing investigation by the Original Prop Blog was determined to have in fact been made for and used in the 2004 Steven Spielberg film The Terminal starring Tom Hanks – not the 1968 science fiction classic Planet of the Apes.  Read more

NBC Chicago Reports “Prop Store to Auction Stuff of Dreams” Regarding Closure of 20th Century Props

As reported last month (see 20th Century Props Closes Its Doors After 40 Years; Auction Slated for Late July), 20th Century Props announced that it is closing and auctioning off its assets.  This has garnered a substantial amount of news coverage (see Original Prop Blog on Twitter for continuing links/coverage), including a television broadcast today on NBC Chicago.  Read more

Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Week in Tweets’ (Through 07/03/09)

This is a weekly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account.  This archives all posts for the week ending 07/03/09.

As recently announced, in addition to posting notices of new Original Prop Blog articles, also published are brief reports and links to information of interest to readers that does not warrant a full report here on this site.  If you want all of the news and updates, you can follow me on Twitter at:  twitter.com/jason_debord Read more

Auction Fraud at Center of FBI & Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Report for 2008

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued their Annual Report a few months ago.  Among the highlights is that auction fraud – a frequent topic in the hobby of collecting original television and movie props and wardrobe – was reported to make up one of four complaints made to the organization. Read more

Original Prop Blog – June 2009 Web Site Traffic Statistics

The latest web site traffic statistics for Original Prop Blog, as of June 30, 2009… Read more