The following are observations and questions concerning a current eBay auction (Item #250119531883) titled “Screen Used Mask Hannibal Lecter – The 1 and ONLY Prop“.
Link to Archive of Full Auction – eBay Hannibal Mask Archive Auction
This prop is described by the seller as such:
Please note that this prop is a SCREEN USED PROP – actually Worn / Used in the Film . IT IS SCREEN USED !!! . You can pop in the DVD and see this actual Piece .
One of the most recognized props in American Motion Picture History , The Mask of Hannibal Lecter . This piece is SCREEN USED in the Movie Hannibal , it is in the Pink Box also seen in the Film ?.From the Script ” BARNEY (picking up the pink box) Mr. Verger – MASON The cookies. Yes, let’s have one. BARNEY It’s not cookies. He opens the box. It’s the Lecter mask “
My Client Paid 14,000.00 for this Mask , it was damaged during screen use , as you can see it is cracked and broke right where the strap attaches ?but this is the One , The One and Only ?the One from the Movie . A Piece of Motion Picture History
Additionally, the included Star Wares COA states:
The mask worn by Hannibal Lecter in the 2001 film “Hannibal,” the third in the trilogy.
The COA also pledges:
Star Wares Collectibles offers a money-back guarantee to the original purchaser listed below, should this ever be proven not to be authentic.
Of note is that the guarantee does not apparently extend to the potential buyer of this prop.
I have personally researched most of the Hannibal Lecter masks publicly offered for sale over the years, and have yet to come across one that I would characterize with certainty as original and authentic, at least in terms of clearly being filmed and seen in the final cut of any of the three films.
In examining this current offering on eBay, I have compiled the following screen captures to compare with the photos provided in the auction.
The first comparison shows the eBay mask on the left, and the mask as seen worn in the film on the right.
Differences I notice between the two include:
- Looking at the first set of comparison photos above, the masks appear to feature a different shade of paint.
- The way in which the two masks are physically painted is different. The paint on the mask seen in the film is “slopped on” – in some parts drips/swaths cover the texture and is thick. The paint on the mask for sale on eBay appears to be more evenly applied.
- The mask seen in the film appears “rougher” all around.
- The shape of the mouth on both masks appear different – the eBay mask appears to be cut more squared on the sides, whereas the one seen on screen has a more oval cut.
- The stress cracks on the eBay mask appear to be inconsistent with the mask seen in the film.
- The weathering and angles of the bars in the mouth cut out do not match.
- Looking at the second set of comparison photos above, the rivets used in the eBay mask do not appear to match the rivets used in the mask seen in the film.
- In regards to the leather straps, the texture of the leather appears to differ.
- Continuing with the straps, with the eBay mask, the first punch hole is very close to the rivet; with the strap on the mask seen in the film, it is clear the first punch hole is quite a bit further from the rivet.
- Looking at the third set of comparison photos above, the cake box used in the film appears to be much more worn than the one accompanying the mask in the eBay auction, especially the top edges of the box.
With my research into these masks over the years, in examining its use in Hannibal frame by frame, the mask itself does not vary in any noticeable way from shot to shot or scene to scene. I have not seen one offered for sale that matches what is seen on screen.
The seller claims the owner of this mask paid Star Wares $14,000, and this is the second auction with such a starting price with no takers. Given the aforementioned loss of guarantee by Star Wares once ownership changes hands, I would urge any potential buyers to review these observations and do significant research into this prop.
I can’t discount that it might be “original” [see article What is “Original”?], I certainly do not share the seller’s marketing claims quoted above from the auction (i.e. “actually Worn / Used in the Film” and “You can pop in the DVD and see this actual Piece”). I was not able to match it to any shot in the film
There is always a chance it could be a prototype (which would make it technically “original”); if that was the case, it would not be consistent with the Star Wares certification that it was “worn by Hannibal Lecter in the 2001 film”.
Jason De Bord