As with last year’s event, I thought I’d share my own personal impressions and experiences about Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, to close out my series of articles and features on the event (see San Diego Comic Con 2009). [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Video Interview with Alec Peters, PropWorx
I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Alec Peters, CEO of PropWorx, while attending San Diego Comic Con. The video interview includes a recap of the Battlestar Galactica auction (past and future), a “state of the hobby” review, talk about competition among other dealers/resellers and auction houses, a discussion of issues in the hobby, and news about the future of PropWorx. [Read more…]
Studio Reseller Hollywood Vault (“Rainmakers”): Current & Future Status?
One of the two studio resellers of original movie and television props and wardrobe that have historically sold very high quantities of product appears to have had very limited sales in recent months and one of its two websites (rain-makers.net) is returning a “404” error status while the other (hollywoodvault.net) is stripped down to “coming soon” presentation. [Read more…]
Tools of Authentication: Categorizing & Classifying COAs
This is the first in a series of articles intended to discuss and build upon the tools of authentication: concepts, terminology, definitions, analysis, and more. While Certificates of Authenticity, or “COAs”, have been the topic of a number of previous articles, the scope of this feature is to define and categorize COAs by 1) their source and 2) their function. [Read more…]
Studio Reseller Certificates of Authenticity: Premiere Props & Hollywood Vault
Over the past several years, the Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) issued by two of the biggest “studio resellers” – Premiere Props and Hollywood Vault – have evolved. Unfortunately, the changes made have been to the detriment of provenance and is a significant missed opportunity given that these companies are in the position of releasing props and wardrobe into the marketplace that are sourced direct from the studios in a fully authorized capacity (making the pieces both authentic and with clear title).
I thought it would be informative to compare and contrast COAs issued by Premiere Props and Hollywood Vault to see exactly what changes have been made over the years, and the current state of certification and provenance offered by these two dealers. [Read more…]
“Off The Shelf” and “Found” Props & Wardrobe
One of the most inherently problematic props, in terms of issues with authenticity, are of the “off the shelf” or “found” variety.
What are “off the shelf” props?
Props, wardrobe pieces, set pieces, and any other artifacts used in a production that are:
1) Mass produced (past or present),
2) for non-production purposes (i.e. not specifically manufactured for use in the production), and
3) are or were available for purchase from those not associated with the production. [Read more…]
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…]
The “Other” Dealer Issue: Communication & Good Will
Most of my opinion pieces on the blog involve issues of provenance and authenticity. That really goes to the heart of the hobby, and makes up much of the minefield that original prop collectors navigate as they transact in the marketplace.
The “Other” issue, which gets less attention here and on the discussion forums, is one just as prevalent and much easier to resolve: Business Practices & Customer Service [Read more…]