This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2016. This year, auction house Profiles in History had an all-artwork exhibit, with pieces from their upcoming Frank Darabont Collection on display, including Frank Frazetta works among the highlights. Profiles has marketed “Sea Witch” as “The Only Million Dollar Art Piece at Comic-Con” and “The Single Most Important and Most Valuable Frazetta Painting to EVER be Offered At Auction (pre-sale estimate of $1,000,000 – $1,500,000)”, so it will be interesting to see if it meets the reserve at the July 30th auction. I have been reporting on Profiles in History as registered press at Comic Con International every year for the past nine years (see articles from 2008, 2009 Part 1 & 2009 Part 2, 2010 Part 1 & 2010 Part 2, 2011, 2012, 2013 Part 1 & 2013 Part 2, 2014, 2015), but this is the first in which they did not exhibit any TV and/or movie props and costumes. [Read more…]
20th Century Props Reopens in Los Angeles, 5 Years After Shutting Down
As reported at the time, long time prop rental business 20th Century Props shut down and liquidated its inventory back in 2009 and 2010. Well, here we are in 2015 and the Los Angeles Times and others have reported that Harvey Schwartz has rebounded along with the film industry this year, and has relaunched his business. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2015: Prop Store Exhibit of TV and Movie Props, Costumes, Models, Memorabilia (#SDCC)
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2015. Prop Store has an excellent exhibition this year, featuring a preview of material from their second annual live auction coming to London later this year. Heavy on action and sci-fi, it drew a constant crowd of Comic Con attendees, many of which are fans of these genre films. As with Star Wars Celebration earlier this year, Prop Store continue to find new and exciting Star Wars material, such as the stormtrooper helmet – the first time being offered to the public. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2015: Profiles in History & McCune Masterworks Exhibit of Movie Props and Models (#SDCC)
“Cocksucker”… “Motherfucker”… “Asshole”… Just a few of the expletives shouted at me by Joe Maddalena, President of Profiles in History, on the floor of the main exhibit hall at Comic Con yesterday. I was in the midst of a friendly conversation with Brian Chanes and his 9 year old son, with my own 14 year old nephew standing behind me when Mr. Maddalena approached me and interrupted us, attacking me with “R-Rated” language in front of a crowd of onlookers. As registered press with Comic Con International, I had additionally been personally invited via e-mail by Profiles in History’s own public relations agent to do my annual report on their exhibit this year – “[w]e would appreciate your coverage” – so I have no idea what prompted the very public barrage of insults and being told “get out!” and “leave!”. He even shouted “you can quote me on that!” following some of the expletives. Regardless, their overall exhibit is probably the best it has ever looked, with fewer items, some nicely showcased in well-lit closed displays and larger ones in open air, with room to walk about and explore the collection of material associated with McCune Masterworks, who are co-branded with this year’s exhibition. The key piece on display was the fantastic screen-used Blockade Runner from the original Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope. [Read more…]
Revisiting TV Prop Studio Sanctioned Auctions: Descriptions, Research, Production Made, Multiples, Back-Ups, “Use” on Screen (ScreenBid/Breaking Bad, Profiles in History/LOST, Christie’s/Star Trek)
An issue that seems to come up with every official studio auction of original props and costumes from popular television shows is that of buyers feeling mislead by descriptions of auction houses, particularly use. We saw this with Christie’s and their official “40 years of Star Trek” auction, with Profiles in History and their sale of material from ABC’s LOST, and based on a reader comment today on my article about newcomer ScreenBid and their Breaking Bad auction, it would seem that the same issue is in play with this latest sale as well. Since people likely don’t check my articles for comments after reading it, I thought it might be worthwhile and productive to highlight that comment and my response in a new article, as it is an issue that seems to occur with each of these official studio sales, particularly because it brings in participants who have not participated in such sales before, and perhaps have not purchased or collected original props, costumes, and other artifacts from film and television. [Read more…]
Newcomer ScreenBid Brings Meth To The Highest Bidder With “Breaking Bad” Online TV Prop & Costume Auction
On the heels of the one-day notice, in person only sale of some original props, costumes, and set pieces from Breaking Bad that happened last weekend at Albuquerque Goodwill, newly launched online auctioneer ScreenBid has launched an extensive auction with hundreds of key props, costumes, and other assets from the popular AMC series, which comes to an end this month. Items have been listed on their new website, which is scheduled to run from 9/29 to 10/8. [Read more…]
Albuquerque Goodwill To Hold “Breaking Bad” Original TV Prop, Costume, and Other Asset Charity Auction Tomorrow 9/14
News broke across the mainstream press today following a report by the Albuquerque Journal that original memorabilia, costumes, props, set pieces, and other assets from the production of Breaking Bad will be sold at auction by Goodwill Industries of New Mexico. With just a handful of episodes left in this final season of the popular Emmy Award-winning AMC show, the production has donated a trailer of material that was used on the show telling the story of Walter White, as portrayed by Bryan Cranston, as a high school chemistry teacher turned crime figure. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2013: Original TV & Movie Props and Costumes on Display and Exhibit
This is actually the lightest year in some time for original props and costumes on display at Comic Con International: San Diego, apart from the usual showing by Profiles in History and Prop Store. Nothing from Disney this year (who usually exhibit every other year) and much of what is on display is material from films not yet released. [Read more…]