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

By

YouTube Close-Up Look – “Empire Strikes Back” Darth Vader Costume Auction with Bonhams Update: Withdrawn

This is part of my ongoing series of YouTube videos, with a follow up to my recent look at the Bonhams “TCM Presents … Wonders of the Galaxy – Science Fiction and Fantasy in Film” auction that took place today, May 14th, in Los Angeles. This latest video editorial provides an update to Lot 162 described as “A complete Darth Vader costume from The Empire Strikes Back/Star Wars Episode V”.  Shortly before the auction was scheduled to begin, the status of the costume was changed to “WITHDRAWN”.  However, the Darth Vader gloves from Star Wars were not withdrawn, though failed to reach the unstated reserve, stalled at $28,000. [Read more…]

By

Profiles in History’s “Easy Rider” Movie Prop Captain America Motorcycle at Auction: Sold for $1.35 Million… or Not Sold?

Profiles-in-History-Easy-Rider-Motorcycle-Auction-Results-135-Million-Sold-Not-Sold-Lot-1121-Hollywood-Auction-65-2014-x380

There was a tremendous amount of pre-auction mainstream media coverage about the motorcycle put on the auction block by Profiles in History last month, a lot of it generated from an AP story picked up by many news outlets that was titled “‘Easy Rider’ chopper at auction might be phony” (as of this time, that keyword search is resulting in 22,500 hits on Google).  The day of the auction, and for a few days following, the most used headline was a variation on proclamations that it sold for $1.35 million.  But, as a matter of public record, did it really sell?  And if not, why has no media outlet (to my knowledge) reported on the sale falling through? [Read more…]

By

New “Global Antiques” Hollywood Memorabilia Dealer on eBay (Michael Jackson, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz)

Global-Antiques-on-eBay-August-2009-x380

eBay dealer “moniemon92” – with an account created in 2007 but with no recorded transactions until a few weeks ago – has listed a number of items for sale with “Global Antiques” certificates of authenticity.  These auction offerings are dominated by listings of items owned/autographed by the recently deceased Michael Jackson.  [Read more…]

By

“Global Antiques” & “Auction Depot LA” Update: Victim Secures $18,000 Settlement & Deferred Judgment Following Lawsuit

global-antiques-auction-depot-la-los-angeles-superior-court-x380

One of the lead investigations conducted last year involved “original” memorabilia offered for sale with certificates of authenticity from “Global Antiques”, signed by Greg Jones.  Pieces were sold on eBay via  “Auction Depot LA” and “Auction Shop USA”.  These accounts were suspended by eBay, and one of the collectors who purchased a number of items from these companies/individuals filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.  [Read more…]

By

Auction House Controversies In The News: Christie’s & China, Antiquorium & India, Julien’s Auctions & Michael Jackson

christies-juliens-antiquorum-michael-jackson-gandhi-china-india-auction-house-x380

There has been a great deal of controversy in the news in the past week with regards to three unrelated auction house events, including Christie’s auction of  “national treasures” originally looted from Beijing in 1860, India’s attempt to halt the sale of Mohandas Gandhi memorabilia scheduled for auction today by Antiquorum, and Julien’s Auctions upcoming sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia (which today Jackson is threatening with lawsuit).  [Read more…]

By

Los Angeles Jury Finds in Favor of AMPAS Over Pickford Heirs in Oscar Case

mary-pickford-academy-award-oscar-dispute-x380

Picking up from the report published in January (see Oscar Statuette Legal Dispute Between Heirs & The Academy), the L.A. Times today reports that a jury has decided in favor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), prohibiting the sale of a 1930 Oscar (Academy Award) which heirs of Mary Pickford had planned to auction, with proceeds to benefit a charity, the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony.  The Academy has the first right of refusal to buy the award – valued at hundreds of thousands – for $10. [Read more…]

By

AntiqueWeek Feature on “Global Antiques”

The latest edition of AntiqueWeek includes a front page feature by Eric C. Rodenberg on the Global Antiques props sold on eBay by Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, and Historic Souvenirs.  Per their website, AntiqueWeek has “the largest paid circulation of any antiques and collectibles newspaper in the United States”.  The full story can be read online at antiqueweek.com – “Sales of bogus movie props lead to suspensions on eBay” – also archived below: [Read more…]

By

More From the Los Angeles Times: “Scammers Exploit Online Trust Factor”

David Colker of the Los Angeles Times has written a follow-up story to Harriet Ryan’s piece published on the front page Wednesday (see Los Angeles Times Feature on Global Antiques, Thoughts on Los Angeles Times “Global Antiques” Feature).  The new article, “Scammers exploit online trust factor“, opens quoting the core value that eBay was founded on – “people are basically good” – and laments the “good old days”. [Read more…]