Auction House Buyer’s Premiums: On The Rise (Revisited Three Years Later – 2011 Update)

Back in 2008, the Original Prop Blog published an article about “Buyer’s Premiums” assessed by the major auction houses in the marketplace (see Auction House Buyer’s Premiums: On The Rise).  With their upcoming Debbie Reyonlds sale in June, Profiles in History raised their rates by 5%, so I thought it would be an appropriate time to revisit the topic, as well as compare and contrast with findings from the article published May 30, 2008, with updates as of today, May 31, 2011 – three years later. Read more

Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Auction to be Held in Los Angeles on June 26th, Catalog Available Online

One of two Entertainment Memorabilia auctions to be held by Bonhams in the month of June has its associated online catalog available online this morning. This event will be held in Los Angeles on June 26th for their “Entertainment Memorabilia including Animation Art” auction (Sale 19045).  The second auction will be held at their Knightsbridge location on June 29th (catalog is currently unavailable). Read more

Prop Talk Podcast #011 – Brian Muir, Film Industry Sculptor (“Darth Vader Sculptor”) | Interview by The Original Prop Blog with Jason DeBord

Brian Muir, special guest. This is the eleventh ‘Prop Talk’ podcast by the Original Prop Blog.  Mr. Brian Muir is a veteran in the film industry, working as a sculptor on an incredible number of movies, including Star Wars: A New Hope, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Alien, numerous James Bond films, Harry Potter films, and more.  Notably, Mr. Muir is credited as the sculptor of the iconic helmet for Darth Vader early in his career.

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‘Save The Dress’ Campaign Update: Policy Changed to Allow Refunds if Bid to Win Marilyn Monroe ‘Seven Year Itch’ Dress at Auction Fails

On May 18th, the Original Prop Blog reported on a campaign to collect funds from the public to bid on and attempt to win at auction the famous “subway dress” worn by Marilyn Monroe, offered for sale next month by Profiles in History as part of their Debbie Reynolds auction (see ‘Save The Dress’ Campaign to Crowdsource Funds from Public for Marilyn Monroe ‘Seven Year Itch’ Dress Auction; “Refund of Contributions… Impractical”).  Read more

Second “D23 Expo” at Anaheim Convention Center in August 2011 to Again Feature “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives”

As reported in 2009, Disney held their first D23 Expo (see “D23 Expo” at Anaheim Convention Center in September 2009 to Feature “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives”).  This year will mark the second such event, at the same facility though, per a press release, it will be twice the size.  A highlight for the show will be the return of the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives”, boasting “80 years of Disney history”.  The event is scheduled to run August 19-21. Read more

In Plain Sight… Political Flap Over “Misuse” of New Mexico State-Owned Planes for Scouting Film Locations, as Television Prop

KRQE-13 in New Mexico aired a news broadcast last night questioning whether use of a state-owned airplane as a TV prop on the USA series ‘In Plain Sight’ was misuse of the property and violation of their “official use” only policy.  This follows an earlier controversy from a prior investigation into the employment of official planes used to help NBC Universal scout filming locations for their television pilot, ‘The Crossing’. Read more

Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 45 – Debbie Reynolds The Auction′ Auction Catalog Available Online for Sale Event June 18th

The catalog for the Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 45′ – the highly anticipated “Debbie Reynolds, The Auction” – is now available. The auction event will be held June 18th at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Read more

Pawn Stars: Harry Houdini Straight Jacket Matched to Vintage Photo from January 1, 1915 – For Sale On eBay

Last week’s episode of Pawn Stars featured a gentleman who brought in a vintage straight jacket that he believed to have been owned by magician Harry Houdini.  In the episode, Rick calls in Murray SawChuck to help authenticate the piece, which he ultimately believes he does irrefutably via matching details (stitching, buttons, placement and style thereof) to a very high resolution vintage photo from January 1, 1915.  If correct, it marks the pieces as extraordinarily rare and historically important, yet the owner of the piece and Rick cannot come to terms, with the owner at $30,000 and Rick at $25,000.  It would seem to be much more valuable than that, by my estimation, and is currently listed for sale on eBay for $149,000. Read more

“Inside the Secret Planet Hollywood Vault” Video News Broadcast & Interview by WOFL FOX 35

Tonight WOFL FOX 35 in Orlando, Florida broadcast a news segment about the 20 year anniversary for the popular themed restaurant, Planet Hollywood.  “Inside the Secret Planet Hollywood Vault” includes a written article as well; both feature Planet Hollywood Chairman and Owner, Robert Earl. Read more

‘Save The Dress’ Campaign to Crowdsource Funds from Public for Marilyn Monroe ‘Seven Year Itch’ Dress Auction; “Refund of Contributions… Impractical”

Today a company called inQuicity, owned and operated by another company called Double-Take Tours, launched their “nationwide SAVE-THE-DRESS campaign to acquire the coveted white dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in ‘The Seven Year Itch’”.  One of the highlights offered at auction by Profiles in History in their Debbie Reynolds auction next month, the company has launched a website to solicit funds/donations from the public to bid on the dress at auction so that the NYC-based inQuicity can showcase the dress in a “multi-city nationwide tour” and later place it “on permanent display in New York”.  Should the company be outbid at public auction, the firm states that it will not return the contributions made by the public, as doing so would be “impractical”. Read more

Julien’s Auctions Files Lawsuit Against Live Auctioneers Over Michael Jackson “Neverland” Auction for Breach of Contract and Negligence

Following last month’s development of a jury rejecting a lawsuit by collector Richard LaPointe over the canceled “Neverland” auction of Michael Jackson memorabilia, Julien’s Auction has now filed its own complaint against Live Auctioneers, the online bidding service provider for the event.  The new complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, cites two causes of auction – breach of contract and negligence. Read more

Charity Auction: Auction Cause Offers Original Props from “Survivor Redemption Island” on eBay

Following tonight’s “Redemption Island” season finale, AuctionCause is hosting an eBay charity auction of original assets from the popular CBS reality television program, Survivor. As has been tradition, 100% of the final sale price for the items will benefit charity, with this sale benefiting two organizations – Operation Smile and The Alliance for Children’s Rights.

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Original Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 “Freddy” Gloves Update

Back in June 2007, I published an article about Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 “Freddy” gloves in the marketplace, and highlighted that reproductions (marketed as replicas) were being crafted by Mr. David B. Miller (see Original Nightmare on Elm Street Part 5 Freddy Gloves).  Mr. Miller was kind enough to share supplemental information in his Reader Comment to the original article (see Update).  I stumbled across a relevant discussion this week on a forum called Springwood Slasher with members raising concerns about a “Freddy” glove listed for public sale on eBay (see Is this really the screen used glove?).  In discussing with other hobbyists and horror prop expert Mario Kirner, Mario shared an interesting observation based on a review of his archive of images of past examples of this specific prop offered for sale in the public marketplace. Read more

Julien’s Auctions to Hold “The Collection of Larry Hagman” Auction June 4th in Beverly Hills

Following this weekend’s “Hollywood Legends” entertainment memorabilia sale, Julien’s Auctions today announced their next event, “The Collection of Larry Hagman”, to be held in Beverly Hills on Saturday, June 4th.  Larry Hagman is best known for his portrayal of J.R. Ewing on the classic late 70s/80s prime time series, Dallas and as Major Tony Nelson in the 60s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. Read more

Volo Auto Museum Hollywood Car Auction June 8th-15th

Brian Grams, Director of the Volo Auto Museum has alerted me to an online, no reserve auction that they will be holding next month.  Their Hollywood Car Auction will be conducted over eBay and feature the sale of notable cars and other vehicles used in movies and television. Read more

Louisiana Art & Science Museum Present “CUT! Costume and the Cinema” Exhibit May 7th – July 31st

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum will be exhibiting their “CUT! Costume and the Cinema” attraction from May 7th through July 3st.  There will be more than 40 costumes on display, featuring wardrobe worn by stars such as Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman, and others. Read more

Good Day LA News Feature on This Weekend’s Julien’s Auctions “Hollywood Legends” Sale Event in Beverly Hills

KTTV Fox 11 this morning broadcast a segment on their Good Day LA program showcasing pieces from the “Hollywood Legends” event to by held by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills this weekend. Read more

Original Television and Movie Prop, Costume, and Hollywood Entertainment Memorabilia Auction Events 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 collectors. Read more

The Original Prop Blog on Twitter – ‘The Month in Tweets’ (Through 04/30/11)

This is a monthly feature archiving the “tweets” from the official Original Prop Blog Twitter account (twitter.com/jason_debord) for the month of April 2011. Read more