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

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Editorial: Reaction To “What’s Hot In Hollywood Collectibles” Article By The Seattle Times

The Seattle Times published an article this week about collecting original movie props and costumes, presented as a Q&A interview with Antiques Roadshow appraiser Philip Weiss of Philip Weiss Auctions.  As is typical with mainstream media coverage of the hobby, much of it is preoccupied with discussion of high prices realized at auction.  However, there is also a focus on questions about authenticity and fraud (which I applaud), though some of the responses – particularly those about eBay – have prompted me to share some of my own personal opinions and reactions. [Read more…]

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“Out of this World” Original Movie Prop Exhibit at The California Museum – High Definition Video

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I had an opportunity last week to visit the touring “Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television” exhibit, which opened at the California Museum on October 3rd.  As has been reported in the past, this traveling exhibition includes original props and costumes associated with Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) and Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, Washington. [Read more…]

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“Out of this World” Original Movie Prop Exhibit at The California Museum – High Resolution Photography

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I had an opportunity this week to visit the touring “Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television” exhibit, which opened at the California Museum on October 3rd.  As has been reported in the past, this traveling exhibition includes original props and costumes associated with Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) and Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, Washington. [Read more…]

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Photography from 1995’s “Art of Star Wars” Original Movie Prop, Costume, & Model Exhibition

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I was fortunate to have had an opportunity in 1995 to see a very special exhibit of original props, costumes, models, and other assets from Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.  Entitled “The Art of Star Wars”, the pieces were provided by Lucasfilm and the event was hosted by the Center for the Arts in Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco. [Read more…]

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San Diego Comic Con 2009: Short Video Interview with Mark Hamill (Return of the Jedi Lightsaber, “Lost” Tatooine Cave Scene)

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While attending San Diego Comic Con, I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy.  Based on an article written last week (see Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)), and a series of articles published in 2007 (see Market Watch | Elstree Props | Return of the Jedi), I thought it would be a good opportunity to ask Mr. Hamill a few questions about the original lightsaber props he used in Return of the Jedi, as well as address the long-running controversy as to whether he filmed a scene in which he portrayed his character building his new lightsaber. [Read more…]

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Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)

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This is an update to a series of articles about two prop lightsabers marketed by Paul Harrison, at the time owner of Elstree Props, which were described as original pieces made for the film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.  No such lightsabers appear in the finished film.  Though it has been some time since the last update, published in late 2007, I have obtained new information.  Included in this feature are photos of one of the props that I’ve been told were taken in late 2005, of a newly made custom replica lightsaber, prior to delivery to Paul Harrison.  The prop in these photos clearly matches one of the two Elstree Props lightsabers.  Was a newly made replica prop listed for sale to the public for $50,000.00? [Read more…]

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Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 35 & 36″ Catalogs Available Online

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The Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 35 (Hollywood Wax Museum)” and “Hollywood Auction 36 (The Forry Ackerman Collection, etc.)” catalogs are now available (as a download in PDF) for their next auction, to be held at their offices in Calabassas Hills, CA on April 30th and May 1st, 2009. [Read more…]

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Original Prop Hobby – 2008 Year in Review

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As was the case last year (see 2007 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial review of my personal views with regards to the hobby, looking back at the top trends and news stories of 2008.  As always, there were a lot of interesting developments and events, and quite a bit to review and consider. [Read more…]