An interesting discussion has broken out on the official Ewbank’s Facebook page about the Stormtrooper helmet in their upcoming auction (which I wrote about earlier this month – see “Andrew Ainsworth “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmet Withdrawn By Christie’s in 2014 Now Offered by Ewbank’s in 2015“). Ewbank’s has stated in this Facebook discussion that the helmet “is not a prototype“. However, they include a letter as proof of authenticity in which the helmet’s maker, Andrew Ainsworth, states in writing that the helmet “was an early prototype made by myself“. This is the exact same helmet that Christie’s put up for auction last year and then decided to withdraw from their own auction. What does Ewbank’s have to say about Christie’s pulling the same item from their auction? Per Ewbank’s, Christie’s “mis-catalogued [it] as a ‘prototype’“. Yet Christie’s marketed the helmet as what Mr. Ainsworth claimed it to be… a “prototype”. Confused yet? So is Lindsay Muir (wife of Brian Muir, who sculpted the Stormtrooper armor and Darth Vader helmet for Star Wars). She entered into this public debate with Ewbank’s on their Facebook page regarding their helmet up for auction. Ewbank’s closing remarks to Mrs. Muir (one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on these matters) includes the line, “[y]our view is certainly not my experience of bidders who are generally very well informed actually”. This, from the auction house who would seem to suggest that the maker of the artifact they have up for sale – who provided the letter regarding it’s provenance and authenticity – is flatly wrong about his own characterization the piece that he himself made and as he addressed it in that letter. It would seem that auction houses (like with Profiles in History’s last auction) are evolving to reject Andrew Ainsworth credibility on his own creation, while embracing that very lineage to help them sell these problematic artifacts.
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Archives for November 20, 2015
Blacksparrow’s “The Pixels Auction” Online, Ending on December 5th
Blacksparrow is holding an online-only auction for Pixels, the Summer sci-fi comedy starring Kevin James, Adam Sandler, and Peter Dinklage. The auction features original props and costumes, including wardrobe from all of the principal actors, the hero Donkey Kong hammer, a full-size Q*bert, functional arcade games, and more. The auction concludes on December 5th. Per Blacksparrow, all items come directly from the production studio. [Read more…]
Bonhams ‘Entertainment Memorabilia’ Auction to be Held in London on December 10th, Catalog Available Online
Bonhams will be holding their “Entertainment Memorabilia” (auction 22818) sale event in London on December 10th. This sale includes 227 lots featuring a mix of film/television as well as rock and roll and popular music related memorabilia. [Read more…]