Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 53′ Results in Passed Lots, A Few Surprises; “Jackpot” Reserves/Estimates Finally Out of Control?

I have been traveling for the past week, so did not personally watch the latest Profiles in History sale (“Hollywood Auction 53″) live, but received a number of e-mails and texts from others in this art market commenting about the overall “lackluster” and “disappointing” results of the event, though there were a few surprises and stand out pieces (such as the Lord of the Rings Legolas bow going for $372,000 with Buyer’s Premium, Kate Winslet’s dress from Titanic selling for $330,000 with BP, and an X-Wing model from Star Wars realizing approximately $270,000 with BP).  Based on a spreadsheet compiled by a friend, focusing on Lots 433-902 (the second half of the catalog, following classic Hollywood photos, etc.), about 40% of the items were not sold.  Read more

Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 53′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event December 15th

Profiles in History’s Winter auction catalog, “Drama, Action, Romance: Hollywood Auction 53″ is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This sale is scheduled for December 15th at their Calabasas Hills facility. Read more

Profiles in History The Dreier Collection Movie Prop Auction “Apples to Apples” Sale Comparison: After Sale List, “Peer Review” Update, Props as Investment?

Since much of The Dreier Collection that is being sold at auction through Profiles in History (beginning with their Part 1 sale having concluded today) was originally purchased at auction through Profiles in History, I thought that it would be interesting to compare some of the lots with their original hammer price (sans Buyer’s Premium) against the new sale price from the new auction. [NOTE: some updates made on 7/30 as marked and noted below] Read more

Profiles in History The Dreier Collection Movie Prop Auction “Apples to Apples” Sale Comparison: Pre-Sale List

Since much of The Dreier Collection that is being sold at auction through Profiles in History (beginning with their Part 1 sale tomorrow) was original purchased at auction through Profiles in History, I thought that it would be interesting to compare some of the lots with their original hammer price (sans Buyer’s Premium) against the new sale price from the new auction. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2012: Event Recap & My Personal Experience

As explained in past articles and coverage, my experience with San Diego Comic Con (or Comic Con International) goes back to the late 80s, as I started attending around 1986 or 1987 or so (several years before I was even old enough to drive).  So it’s always a bit remarkable to take a moment within the exhibit hall and just let the enormity of it all, as it lives and breathes today, soak in  It is just a massive, massive event, and an awesome one at that. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2012: Profiles in History Auction Preview

Profiles in History has long held exhibitor space at Comic Con in San Diego as a way to build awareness of their brand and promote their regularly scheduled auctions.  This year, they are promoting their two television and movie prop and costume auctions for July – The Dreier Collection, Part 1 and Hollywood Auction 49. Read more

Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 49′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event July 30-31

Profiles in History’s Summer auction catalog, “Treasure from the Vaults” (or Hollywood Auction 49) – coinciding with the ‘Drier Collection, Part 1′  and ‘Animation Auction’ sales the days prior – is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This portion of their larger auction is scheduled for July 30th to 31st at their Calabasas Hills facility. Read more

Profiles in History ‘Dreier Collection, Part 1′ TV & Movie Prop Catalog Available Online for Sale Event July 28th

Profiles in History’s ‘Drier Collection, Part 1′ auction catalog is now available in print as well as online, via their official site. This auction is scheduled for July 28th at their Calabasas Hills facility. Read more

D23 Presents “Armchair Archivist: Avengers Edition” Video Interview with Kevin Feige

Josh with Disney D23 has published a great video featuring an interview with Kevin Fiege, Producer of The Avengers and President of Marvel Studios.  They take a tour of props and costumes from films set in the Marvel Universe. Read more

Profiles in History Sells ‘Captain America’ Hero Costume for a Quarter of a Million Dollars… Revenge of the “Hype Premium”? Alternate Explanation?

It would appear that auction house Profiles in History had an unbelievable success with their Captain America: The First Avenger Auction event this past weekend, on behalf of Marvel Studios.  The stand out single sale, of course, was “Lot #154 Captain Amerca complete hero suit“, which sold for $233,700 ($190,000 hammer plus $43,700 Buyer’s Premium).  Over a quarter of a million dollars for one of presumably multiple copies of a costume from a movie that was released nine months ago.  I am not easily surprised by anything in this art market, but this I find astounding and shocking.  And my first thought immediately went to a concept discussed on this site in the past – the “Hype Premium” – but even that cannot come close to explaining this auction result.

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