An item was listed on eBay yesterday, marketed as an original tricorder prop from Star Trek: The Original Series, with an opening bid amount of $12,000, which has raised some concerns in the Star Trek collecting community as to it’s authenticity: [Read more…]
‘It’s A Wrap!’ Star Trek Auctions: Positive Customer Reports
As reported in late September and early November, hobbyists spanning several online discussion forums (primarily The Movie Prop Forum and the Star Trek Props, Costumes & Auctions Forum) had been outspoken about a variety of customer service complaints with It’s a Wrap and their handling of the official CBS ~ Paramount Television Star Trek auctions.
In monitoring the discussion forums and talking with collectors privately, it seems as though It’s A Wrap has turned things around significantly. I have learned from many collectors that customer service has improved significantly, auction wins have been delivered quickly/timely, and there seems to be much more positive buzz about the weekly auction events. I hope for both It’s A Wrap and their customers that these trends continue. [Read more…]
eBay Auction: Greatest American Hero Costume – Update
As reported in late December (see “eBay Auction: Greatest American Hero Costume“), there was an eBay listing for an “original” William Katt Greatest American Hero costume (eBay Item #220184242364) which raised concerns as to authenticity, and was determined to have been a replica by an expert on these wardrobe pieces.
As explained previously, because an original suit was purportedly copied many years ago, replica suits were introduced into the marketplace as “original”, making authentication of these suits highly problematic. [Read more…]
Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update
Since publishing my lengthy and comprehensive article last night (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“), which raises questions about the number of “original” and “authentic” Superman costumes in the marketplace, another such auction has been listed on eBay since completing the article: [Read more…]
Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity
Costumes from the classic Christopher Reeve Superman films have long been one of the most “inherently problematic” wardrobe pieces for original prop collectors to acquire. One, the studio that owns the property and produced and distributed the films was Warner Bros. Warner Bros. is known to be very careful of keeping control of its assets and diligent in pursuing key pieces that have entered the collector’s market improperly. Two, there are many accounts from a number of collectors who have purchased Superman costumes marketed as “Original” that they claim are replica costumes.
There is an ongoing topic at the Movie Prop Forum touching on some of these issues titled: “Superman Wardrobe and Super38 Armando“. [Read more…]
Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – A Four Day News Story?
As covered in several previous articles (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – The Official Data’s Poker Visor Description Amendment“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]
Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – The Official Data’s Poker Visor Description Amendment
As previously reported (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]
Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media
As reported here Friday (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]