Movie Prop Collecting with Jason DeBord's Original Prop Blog Film & TV Prop, Costume, Hollywood Memorablia Pop Culture Resource

Archives for October 2007

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Trend: The “Hype Premium” – Follow-Up

I’ve received some interesting responses to the article posted earlier today, Trend: The “Hype Premium”.

Some have pointed out that part of the reason for the significantly lower price realized on the Spider-Man mask yesterday (to coincide with the home video release), compared with the one sold back in May (during the theatrical release), is in part due to the eye lens being missing on the more recent auction. [Read more…]

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Trend: The “Hype Premium”

A trend that comes and goes with the theatrical release of hit films (and sometimes not so “hit” films) and “hot” films (i.e. a small but enthused following) is that of “Hype Premium”. This trend manifests itself in conjunction with the theatrical release of films that include complimentary promotion in the form of prop offerings by the studio or studio affiliate. Well, I just now made up the terminology – “Hype Premium” – but it’s descriptive enough…

This is an oft discussed trend – even in the midst of it actually occurring – but it rarely fails to deliver.

Companies like Hollywood Vault and Premiere Props often schedule auctions by 1) offering props from films at the time of the theatrical release and then, 2) offering additional props later, at the time of the DVD release.

This is done to maximize promotion of the film (in theaters and for home video release) via the sale of props and wardrobe pieces.

So what does this have to do with the “Hype Premium”?

The “Hype Premium” is the difference in price realized for the same or similar items offered at the theatrical release compared with the home video release. [Read more…]

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Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 4

There is a news story, including an interview with Paul Harrison of Elstree Props, about the Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber at auction on SpecialistAuctions.com. This has had continuing coverage on the OPB (see Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3).

This is an interesting article, in that it provides more information from the viewpoint of Elstree Props and it illustrates the mainstream media’s lack of consideration regarding any challenge to authenticity. [Read more…]

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The “Production Protection Program” & The United Movie Collectors Guild

One development in the hobby that comes up as a topic of conversation from time to time, and is directly related to the opinion piece article posted a few days ago (see Original Prop Marketplace Oversight) as well as recent discussions about the Return of the Jedi lightsaber currently at auction (see Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction), is the “Production Protection Program“, or “P-3”. [Read more…]