I have created a new subset of the Market Watch category, the Prop Watchlist.
What is the purpose of this category and why has it been added? How is it different from Market Watch?
The purpose of this distinction is to make note and provide information and resources in regards to specific props or types of props in the marketplace that have been deemed problematic, based on a variety of factors, or found to be especially challenging to authenticate.
Props discussed may range anywhere from “inconclusive” to “problematic” to “questionable” to definitively “inauthentic”.
The prop or type of prop will be identified, and the (unanswered) questions and/or facts that deem it problematic will be outlined.
In the end, it is left to the hobbyist to weigh the information provided, questions raised, history of ownership, etc., to make his or her own decisions and perform independent research and due diligence.
The intention is to share information, openly and transparently, for the good of the hobby.
This focus has been added to the blog in an attempt to build a dedicated archival reference area with information and resources related to problematic props. If/when the same or similar props come up for sale in the marketplace, collectors have a reference point with which to obtain information, history, issues, and characteristics about similar props, can learn about material questions to ask about such props, and will have some additional tools and insights with which to utilize to better come to their own decisions about authenticity.
Prop Watchlist is different from Market Watch, in that Market Watch takes a look at and opens a dialogue about current public prop offerings in the marketplace to better determine authenticity. Oftentimes, Market Watch articles merely pose questions about current offerings in an effort to raise awareness about potential issues, or to point out that critical material information about a prop that may be lacking in the marketing of it or to address other variables which might be important to consider.
Prop Watchlist will go beyond examination of current public for sale offerings and make note of items offered for sale in the past, in that there is always a possibility that they might come back into to the marketplace as a “for sale” item or, through a review of past issues, serve to better inform collectors about similar items and circumstances that they may encounter going forward.
Other topics will include a discussion of “types” of props (rather than one specific prop) that may be affected by the production of very accurate replicas, non-original and post production pieces promoted as authentic and original, etc.
Again, the intention is to openly share information, questions, and concerns about specific props and types of props that range from “inherently problematic” to “questionable” to “inauthentic”.
As is typically the case with original props, it is truly a case by case set of circumstances for every prop.
Jason De Bord