Profiles in History 28 was held yesterday and today, with the majority props being auctioned today at Profiles in Calabasas Hills, over the Internet via eBay Live Auctions, and by phone.
It appears that, as always, Star Wars is strong, with high prices realized on the key pieces in the auction (please note all prices to follow do not reflect Buyer’s Premiums, ranging from 15-20% on top of prices realized, based on bidding/payment method):
$100,000 – Peter Mayhew original Chewbacca head from Star Wars
$42,500 – Ewan McGregor light saber from Star Wars: Episode I
$40,000 – Anakin Skywalkers lightsaber from Star Wars Episode II
$32,500 – Original Star Wars & Star Wars ESB Stormtrooper helmet
That represents four of the top ten prices realized in the entire auction.
Values on Prequel lightsabers remain strong, in spite of the fact that many have been offered in these auctions over the last year or so.
Interestingly, I would take the restored Stormtrooper helmet from the Original Trilogy over the assembled Chewbacca parts as well as the stunt/fighting lightsabers from the Prequel films hands down, and all three outperformed the trooper lid.
The highest price realized in the catalog was $120,000 for the Johnny Five robot from the forgettable Short Circuit, as marketed on the back of the catalog.
The highest priced item not to sell was the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard, which went without bids opening at $150,000.
Other lots rounding out the top ten include:
$80,000 – Hero laser gun from Lost in Space (the #3 item of the auction)
$40,000 – Tom Cruise Chevy Lumina stock car from Days of Thunder (the only vehicle, of the four in the auction, to sell)
$35,000 – Grail tablet from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Also interesting, a Grail tablet from Last Crusade has been offered three times in the last five auctions (Auction 24 sold for $60,000, Auction 25 unsold for $40,000, Auction 28 sold for $35,000; figures courtesy Ketzer.com)
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Rounding out the top ten is the Original Klingon Disruptor from Star Trek at $35,000 and Vivien Leigh’s hat from Gone with the Wind at $32,500.
As noted, vehicles seemed to be a hard sell, with the aforementioned General Lee, Tony Soprano’s Chevy, and Uncle Rico’s van from Napolean Dynamite all going unsold.
The most notable “unsold” piece would have to be the Statue of Liberty Head from Planet of the Apes, given that it was 1) the cover featured piece on the catalog and 2) the opening bid amount – $15,000 – was half the low end of the estimate ($30,000 – $40,000). There were also some interesting photos posted in a topic (“PIH Auction whatsit?“) on the Movie Prop Forum which purportedly shows the restoration process of the piece, suggesting the crown parts were reproduced – which is what is actually seen on screen, shot from behind, whereas the front is widely viewed to be a matte painting.
Overall, it seems there were some deals, some unsold pieces, and some pieces that realized higher than expected prices, which is consistent with past auctions. I believe it is also possible to make inquiries/offers on unsold lots, directly with Profiles, following the auction, should something of interest to you not sold during the live event.
I myself had interest in just a few pieces, but was feeling cheap today, so won nothing. I can note that the Terminator SPAS stunt shotgun and the hero Night of the Living Dead Winchester sold for $4,000 and $7,000 respectively (which isn’t reflected on eBay, due to eBay restrictions on listing firearms and replica firearms, so those listings were pulled).
It will be interesting to see if Profiles will stick to the two-day, half poster/photo/publicity material – half props format. I know a few collectors thought the entire auction was held yesterday, as I had a few inquires into prices realized and such overnight.
Tim posted the full list of prices realized on his site as I was drafting this article: LINK
As an aside, it was unusual to try to keep track of two simultaneous events in real time – the weekly, Friday-ending It’s A Wrap Star Trek”mini event” eBay auctions competing with the Profiles auction unfolding on eBay Live Auctions. More and more buying options and opportunities for hobbyists has to have an impact on values and prices realized, ultimately, as the props available and entering the marketplace might eventually out pace the growth of the hobby, via new collectors learning about original props and wardrobe.
Jason De Bord