One topic that comes up with original prop collectors now and again is the notion of “marketplace oversight”. Given the nature of these collectibles, where value is intrinsically tied to provenance and authenticity, how do we, as a hobby, move away from the “Wild West” environment, and perhaps implement some sort of oversight (whether organized or informal) to help guide and share information with new and seasoned collectors and identify those individuals or entities that trade in inauthentic pieces? [Read more…]
Anonymity, Transparency, & The “Real World”
There are several very interesting and very active topics running on the Movie Prop Forum, which have engaged hobbyists on a variety of important issues related to the hobby of collecting original props. [Read more…]
Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 2
Some additional information pertaining to this story reported last week (see “Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction“, “Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 1“)…
Per a report on the Movie Prop Forum (see “ROTJ Lightsaber“), in addition to the Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber listed for sale with Specialist Auctions by Elstree Props, and the one on the Elstree Props website that appears to be a different version of the same prop (see comparison photos in Update 1 article), a hobbyist on the discussion forum claims that Elstree sold presumably a third Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber at a charity auction (I do not have any verification of this at this point). If this information and these observations are accurate, that would indicate Elstree Props has/had as many as three or more of these props. [Read more…]
BBC News: “Lee’s Dracula Cape Found in Store”
The following story was reported by BBC News (LINK), wherein it is claimed that Christopher Lee’s cape from Dracula (1958) was found in a London store. I’d be interested in learning the details of how Angles authenticated it. Going by the story, Lee verifying it 50 years later sounds implausible on the face of it, but maybe there are identifying marks/labels to supplement this examination. [Read more…]
News Story Flashback: “Rummaging for a Piece of Tim Burton”
This is an article from 2005, but interesting none the less. The original article can still be found at the New York Times website.
There was a related topic on the Movie Prop Forum at the time, “Tim Burton’s Prop Collection“.
It is an interesting example of an event in which original props/artifacts are released into the open marketplace and how that news travels and things play out. [Read more…]
Hollywood Roadshow Today – Another Internet Bidding Debacle?
According to multiple reports on the Movie Prop Forum (see “Hollywood Roadshow Horror Movie Prop & Pinball“), many hobbyists are unable to access the Hollywood Roadshow auction currently underway via eBay Live Auctions. [Read more…]
Elstree Props Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Auction – Update 1
A few updates on this already… (see preceding article, Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction)
There are two topics hosting a discussion on this auction:
The Replica Prop Forum (the RPF): Elstree Props “Original” ROTJ Lightsaber
The Movie Prop Forum: ROTJ Lightsaber
A few have made the astute observation that the Return of the Jedi lightsaber pictured on the Elstree Props website appears to differ from the photos seen in the listing at Specialist Auctions: [Read more…]
Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction
Many hobbyists have long been puzzled by the images and story on the Elstree Props website pertaining to their Luke Skywalker lightsaber purported to be original and from unseen scenes from Return of the Jedi.
This prop now appears listed for sale on the website Specialist Auctions, with a “Snap it Up” price of 30,000 GBP (over $55,000).
I would be interested in learning more details about this piece from Elstree Props, LFL, or any collectors with insights and opinions about the prop or the notion of this scene from the film as described on the Elstree website and in marketing of this piece for sale. [Read more…]