Concerns in Marketplace Over Authenticating Movie Prop Slates & Clapperboards: James Bond ‘Quantum of Solace’ Case Study

In the past week, I have spoken with more than a dozen movie prop collectors about their concerns over the authenticity of slates and clapperboards circulating in the marketplace.  Outstanding questions include the sources of these assets, the quantities/availability of boards from certain films, and the problem in distinguishing between unused post production replicas, surplus slates, crew gifts, and authentic set-used copies.  The purpose of this article is to raise these questions with the hopes of collecting additional information that is useful to collectors.

One of the sources of clapperboards in the marketplace, according to collectors and dealers I have spoken with who have had first-hand transactions, is someone(s) named Kelvin Wise (and/or Tom Wise).

Per discussions with other hobbyists, it appears that this person/persons may have registered on YourProps as “AND ACTION !“, is said on a James Bond discussion forum to trade under the name “deal2bdone” [abj007 Archive], has an active eBay account “wwwpropsonscreencom” (formerly b22props), and owns the website domain “www.propsonscreen.com” [WhoIs Archive].

With two recent sales on eBay under the wwwpropsonscreencom account, both were listed for sale as “PRODUCTION USED” and state that the clapperboards “STILL SHOW’S SIGN’S OF USE FROM THE SET WITH THE MARKING STILL NOTICABLE ON THE SLATE“.

FILM PROP-PRODUCTION USED CLAPPERBOARD-RUSH HOUR 3 [eBay Item #220494544697]

FILM PROP-PRODUCTION USED CLAPPERBOARD-THE SPIRIT [eBay Item #220494543636]

Other clapperboards listed for sale on eBay by the same dealer include additional listings for Rush Hour 3 (eBay Item #220487079315 | Archive — eBay Item #220484362865 | Archive) and The Spirit (eBay Item #220484363609 | Archive), as well as Dark Knight (eBay Item #220491518025 | Archive), James Bond: Die Another Day (eBay Item #220488926866 | Archive), and Oceans 12 (eBay Item #220487078598 | Archive — eBay Item #220484361648 | Archive).

Some of these other clapperboards include the following statement in the marketing description:

I am auctioning off some of my own collection of clapperboards to fund another project. This board has been production used in the above named film & still show’s sign’s of wear showing pen markings on the board (See Pic).

I have supplied boards over the past year to the biggest propstore in the U.K, So you can be sure that what you are getting is the “Real-Deal”. If you need any further information on this or any other of my boards for sale then please feel free to message me.

In a cursory comparison of the “wwwpropsonscreencom” eBay auctions and the “AND ACTION !” YourProps listings, I have found what appears to be the same Ocean’s 12 slate (based on the matching handwriting on the slates in the two photographs), with different make and style clappers on top (one with four white stripes, one with five white stripes).  See YourProps and eBay Archive.  Click either image for higher resolution comparisons.

Below is an example of one of the listings on YourProps.com by “AND ACTION !” (including Rush Hour 3 and The Spirit, as with the eBay wwwpropsonscreencom auction listings archived above), all with matching clapper tops with four white stripes:

• miscellaneous productions, SELECTION OF PRODUCTION USED CLAPPERBOARDS [AND ACTION !]

As can be seen in the photo above, just one listing depicts clapperboards from X-Men 3, Spider-Man 3, Transporter 2, I Am Legend, Live Free or Die Hard, The Spirit, Fast and Furious 4, Van Helsing, Rush Hour 3, and The Kingdom.  Other clapperboard and slate listings made under the same account include The Beach, Dark Knight, Eyes Wide Shut, Iron Man, Ocean’s 12, Terminator 3, Prince of Persia, Saving Private Ryan, and Tomb Raider 2.

By way of benchmark, The Prop Store of London, a dealer that regularly offers a large selection of clapperboards in the marketplace, has clapperboards for sale from many of the same productions: Terminator 3, I Am Legend, Live Free or Die Hard, Saving Private Ryan, The Beach, and Tomb Raider 2. Prop Store have also confirmed with me that they have obtained clapperboards from Kelvin/Tom Wise, among other sources.

Below is an archive of sample listings:

In any event, slates and clapperboards from specific productions appear to be more prevalent in the marketplace.

One thing that is readily apparent when perusing the YourProps site, which is the online museum for prop collectors, is the large number of clapperboards from James Bond films.  Speaking with one collector, he claims to have tracked the circulation of more than 18 Casino Royale and more than 18 Quantum of Solace clapperboards in the collector marketplace at large.

Clapperboard Case Study:  Quantum of Solace (“James Bond 22″)

Using Quantum of Solace clapperboards as a case study, I scanned images of authentic, set-used clapperboards from the book, “James Bond on Set Filming Quantum of Solace” (see Original Prop Blog book review) to compare with collector-owned clapperboards in the marketplace.

James Bond On Set Filming Quantum of Solace

Below are four images I found in the book depicting clapperboards in use in the production of the film (click each image for higher resolution scans):

Below are the same images, cropped and rotated for further analysis (click each image for higher resolution scans):

Collector-Owned As Showcased On YourProps.com

The following are links to collector-owned examples of clapperboards attributed to the same production, as seen on YourProps.com.  I have communicated directly with the owners of some of these pieces.

• James Bond: Quantum of Solace (2008), QUANTUM OF SOLACE A UNIT CLAPPERBOARD [chaykin76]

• James Bond: Quantum of Solace (2008), Production Used Clapperboard [StarZone]

• James Bond: Quantum of Solace (2008), Original clapperboard [BehindTheMovies]

In comparing those genuine clapperboards as seen in “Bond on Set” – literally in use on the set of the production – with these collector-owned clapperboards showcased on YourProps, there are a number of very distinct and consistent differences.  Below is a compilation of comparison photos with notes outlining those differences.  Click on any image for higher resolution photos.

Side-By-Side Comparison:  Set-Used vs Collector-Owned

Below is a full side-by-side comparison between those four genuine slates depicted in the “Bond on Set” book and the three collector-owned examples currently listed on YourProps.com.

At first glance, note that three of the four “Bond on Set” clapperboards have the clapper hinge on the left side (looking at the photo) while all four of the collector-owned examples have the clapper hinge on the right side.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Curved/Rounded Corners

Another difference between the genuine “Bond on Set” clapperboards and the collector-owned clapperboards is the shape of the slate.

The “Bond of Set” slates have bottom corners which are much more prominently curved, while the collector-owned examples are more squared off in overall shape, with just the outer edge rounded.  Also note the placement of the “D” in “DATE” in relation to spacing from the outer edge of the left corner – the collector-owned examples are set in much further than the “Bond on Set” examples.  One of the three collector-owned examples (the middle one below) actually differs some what from the other two as well, with regards to the placement of the “DATE” in relation to the corner of the slate.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Handwriting & Character Style

With those hand drawn characters seen on each set of examples with the same number, the “Bond of Set” examples are consistent in the letter styling while the collector-owned examples significantly deviate from the uniform writing style seen on those depicted in the book.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Unique Symbol/Logo?

While it is difficult to determine based exclusively on these photos, it appears that the slates seen in the “Bond on Set” book may have a unique symbol or logo etched into them (in the right hand corner of the “TAKE” box).  In talking with one of the owners of the collector-owned slates and reviewing those photos, those appear to exhibit a simple black dot.  The placement also appears to vary on the collector-owned examples.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Clapper Style/Design

As noted above, there is a consistent variance in the clapper top being configured to open either from the left (“Bond on Set”) or right (collector-owned).

Additionally, the genuine “Bond on Set” examples each consistently have three white stripes, while the collector-owned examples consistently have four white stripes.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Clapper Hinge

Another consistent variance between the genuine “Bond on Set” examples and the collector-owned examples relate to the clapper top hinge.

The genuine “Bond on Set” examples utilize a triangle-shaped hinge, while the collector-owned examples all have square-shaped hinges.

Side-By-Side Comparison: Input Conventions

Another distinct difference between the genuine “Bond on Set” examples and the collector-owned examples is the type of handwritten material found on each slate.

ROLL:  The “Bond on Set” examples have a naming convention that include a letter, while the collector-owned examples are numbers-only (one starting with a “#”  symbol, never seen on the confirmed-genuine examples)

SCENE:  The “Bond on Set” examples include a scene number and letter, while the collector-owned examples are number-only (again, with a second example utilizing a “#” symbol, never seen on the confirmed-genuine copies)

Additionally, in attempting to research these clapperboards, I did come across one manufacturer (Clapperboard.net) which actually advertises one style as “…used to produce James Bond – Quantum of Solace“ and also states on their marketing page for that style of board, “Want something special? – We also custom build these for £150“.

See Clapperboard.net | MEDIUM Clapperboard 280mm x 230mm and Clapperboard.net | Quality: “Premium Brand” Very High:

Premium range – Standard size – Black and white

Quality: “Premium Brand” Very High

£99.99 In stock

This board is the choice for full time professional film makers and we can now tell you for example that it was in routine use on the James Bond set for Quantum Of Solace. A standard size clapperboard and the backbone to film, TV and advertising industries. Each board is Individually hand built by UK craftsman. Components are designed for robust performance over many projects to make this a hardworking board and everyday all round performer. Popular with big ticket budget productions where money is invested in durable quality tools built to last for years.

This particular board is translucent white to enable backlighting. It is fitted with special clap sticks made from a resin blend designed to prevent warping and tested for durability by professionals passionate about their careers and who demand great equipment… Durable but not cheap.

Outstanding Questions

• Why do the clapperboards seen in the book, “Bond on Set”, different so drastically and consistently from the collector-owned clapperboards circulating in the marketplace?

• As collectibles/memorabilia buyers and/or dealers, how do you distinguish between clapperboards that are actually used on set and clapperboards that are unused extras, produced as crew gifts, or produced as replicas post production?

• What are reliable sources of clapperboards and slates?

• Have any sources been determined to be suspect or unreliable, with regards to marketing claims and authenticity?

• Who legally owns the clapperboards and slates once production has wrapped on a film or television series?

• Why are there so many James Bond clapperboards?  Is it possible that all of these are genuine?  How could so many be produced and used in each production?  And subsequently sold into the marketplace?

• Why does it seem that clapperboards from certain properties are so prevalent, yet nothing appears in the marketplace as collectibles for most films?

• What tools and processes do dealers/resellers/auction houses employ to verify the authenticity of slates and clapperboards?  How is it determined what is “used” in the production?  How can writing on a board be authenticated as genuine, rather than made up by a dealer or collector?  How can the clapper top be authenticated?  How much value is in the top clapper piece vs. the slate?  How much value is added by production writing remaining on the slate?

If anyone has any information, questions, or concerns on this topic, please publish a “Reader Comment” below or contact me.

All related articles can be found via the link below:

Jason DeBord