Elstree Props (e11e on eBay) is marketing another very expensive “original” prop auction with pieces claimed to have been “prototypes” in the production of Star Wars: A New Hope. This new eBay offering is a set of lightsabers, attributed to a January 1976 meeting. Comparing the claims made in the auction listing with J.W. Rinzler’s The Making of Star Wars raises many questions about these vintage camera flashguns being offered for sale starting at $19,938.00. [Read more…]
Over the past several years, one issue that has been discussed among hobbyists from time to time relates to questions about Stormtrooper helmets characterized as “prototypes” and attributed to the production of the first Star Wars film, A New Hope. A number of hobbyists do not believe these helmets are indeed prototypes (precursors to the helmets made for and used in A New Hope) but made following that production, which would classify them as non-Original or replicas. [Read more…]
A few prior articles have remarked on the traveling ‘Where Science Meets Imagination” exhibit (see Minnesota and Chicago). Fellow collector Brian Murphy was kind enough to forward some photos he had taken at the Chicago event, with a number of great pictures of original Star Wars props and costumes. [Read more…]
The Star Wars “Where Science Meets Imagination” exhibit, last showing in Chicago (see past story), opens tomorrow and runs through August 24, 2008 at the Science Museum of Minnesota. This is the eight and final exhibit for the U.S.; it will next be moved to Australia. In all, 80 original props, costumes, and other pieces will be on display for the public. Highlights include the original 1:1 landspeeder from A New Hope, Darth Vader’s helmet, a Yoda puppet, a Chewbacca costume, Han Solo and Princess Leia costumes, scale X-Wing, Y-Wing, and Tie Fighters and one of the Millennium Falcons. [Read more…]
This is a review of The Complete Making of Indiana Jones (published May 20, 2008). This is “the” must have book for any fan of the Indiana Jones films – if you are only interested in one book on the property, this is it.
This work delves into every facet that would interest readers, including the origins of the films, interviews of all the key principals, “making of” segments, a focus on each of the four films, and tons of photos and images. Like “The Making of Star Wars” (see OPB Book Review) which was published about a year ago and by the same author – J.W. Rinzler – this is a true archive of information and visuals and should be particularly valuable to original prop collectors. [Read more…]
There has been some great news coverage of interest to original prop collectors, prompted by the upcoming release of the new Indiana Jones film.
There is a nice feature in today’s Seattle Times, focused on David Morgan, the man who was responsible for making the iconic bull whips for the first three Indiana Jones films, as well as the upcoming fourth installment, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. [Read more…]
There has been relatively sparse reporting since last week on the legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. This legal battle, transplanted now from the United States to the UK, is between George Lucas and his Lucasfilm production company and Andrew Ainsworth and his Shepperton Design Studios. I thought I would monitor the news and post short updates as I come across them. [Read more…]
Similar to the news story with the collector filing suit against Christie’s and CBS Paramount late last year (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christies, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“), the story of the legal battle between George Lucas and his Lucasfilm production company and Andrew Ainsworth and his Shepperton Design Studios seems to have captured the interest of the mainstream media, only in this case, the story is much more international. This legal dispute is over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. This story has broken very wide, in the last day especially, with well over 150 related stories showing up in Google searches yesterday into today. [Read more…]