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

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Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA

For quite some time, as a collector of original props, searching the Original Props and Original Wardrobe categories on eBay, I have had to navigate and filter out the many, many listings from eBay seller “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1) and their offerings of “original” and “authentic” props from “Gone With The Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “The I Love Lucy Show”, “James Bond”, “Lord of the Rings”, and many items owned by John Wayne and other Hollywood stars.

It is quite staggering the number of pieces offered, month after month.

Using the eBay system, I did a search of what this seller has offered in just the last 30 days, limited to “Gone With The Wind”, and found 164 items (search conducted April 1st). 164 items from “Gone With The Wind”, which was filmed 70 years ago, listed on eBay in just a 30 day period. [Read more…]

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eBay Policy: Authenticity Disclaimers

I was doing some research on eBay and came across an interesting and very relevant policy to original prop collecting – “Authenticity Disclaimers”.

eBay Policy – Authenticity Disclaimers (LINK to eBay): [Read more…]

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U.S. Department of Justice Announces Indictments in “$5 Million Dollar International Fraud Scheme”

Breaking news in the art world follows an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice involving indictments against seven defendants in their alleged roles in selling $5 million in counterfeit art prints.

Reuters reports that (“Thousands Stuck with Fake Art Prints – U.S. Prosecutor“) that “[a] ring of art counterfeiters has sold thousands of prints since 1999 bearing the forged signatures of Picasso, Miro, Dali and other famous artists to buyers around the world”. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stating that “[t]housands of people will learn they… bought a fake”. [Read more…]

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Competing Original Prop Auction Events: The Ides of March?

So at least as long as I’ve been collecting original props, this month, March 2008, is unprecedented in the hobby. And it all begins tomorrow, March 15…

As everyone knows, there are two big auction house events this month: Guernsey’s “Pugliese Prop Culture Collection” (March 15-16) and, just two weeks later, Profiles in History’s “Hollywood Auction 31” (March 27-28). [Read more…]

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Authentic Superman Costume In The Marketplace – The Prop Store of London

Yesterday The Prop Store of London listed as “Sold” on their site an original Superman III body suit with a COA from Warner Bros.

I thought it appropriate to make note of this piece here, along with photos, as an archive reference of what an authentic suit looks like.

Of particular note is that the very few I’ve seen with impeccable provenance (such as the costume sold by ScreenUsed) have a very distinct features which differ from those that have no studio paperwork, such as the distinctly shaped collars, the “S” symbol sewn “into” the costume, rather than “onto” the costume, etc.

It is also interesting that the suits with questionable provenance never include high resolution, full coverage (front, back, close-up) photos for comparison.

The Prop Store of London Description: [Read more…]

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WFAA Television News Report Update: Heritage Auction To Sue L.A. Prop and Wardrobe

A second report was broadcast by WFAA TV’s Channel 8, based on David Schechter’s investigation into items consigned by L.A. Prop and Wardrobe Company and sold by Heritage Auction Galleries (see Heritage Auction Galleries & L.A. Prop & Wardrobe Company, WFAA Television News Report…, More on Heritage Auction Galleries, L.A. Prop & Wardrobe).

In this update, Mr. Schechter reports that Heritage Auction Galleries will “sue L.A. Prop for knowingly providing bogus items for sale and damaging the auction house’s reputation”.

Here is a link to the full video report at WFAA.com: [Read more…]

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Ten Outstanding Questions About “Super Hollywood” Superman Costumes in the Marketplace

Now that Mr. Alvarez (“Super Hollywood”, super38 on eBay) has registered for the Original Prop Blog and posted a series of statements (see “Costume Junkie” Response, “Super Hollywood” Response), I would like to provide him an opportunity to address the series of questions and concerns raised in the prior articles about Superman costumes in the marketplace (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“, “Update“, “Update 2“, “Update 3“). [Read more…]