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

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YouTube Edition – The 12th Annual Original Prop Blog “Year in Review” for 2018 – Original TV & Movie Props, Costumes and Pop Culture Memorabilia

This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube videos.  As per tradition, (see 2007 Year in Review, 2008 Year in Review, 2009 Year in Review, 2010 Year in Review, 2011 Year in Review, 2012 Year in Review, 2013 Year in Review, 2014 Year in Review, 2015 Year in Review, 2016 Year in Review, 2017 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial featuring my personal observations and opinions with regards to the business of buying, collecting, selling, and preserving original pop culture artifacts used in film and television productions. A look back at interesting trends, developments, and news stories from 2018. As is always the case, this is a completely subjective exercise, and merely touches on the developments and events that relate to the hobby and art market.  2018 marks the first year that this will be published exclusively in video form on YouTube. [Read more…]

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Pulled From Auction? Profiles in History Removes “Screen Used” Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber from “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” Online Auction Catalog

As reported earlier today (LINK), Profiles in History was all over the news in the mainstream media (Associated Press, Page Six, Syfy Wire, etc.) with outlets writing about one of the highlights of their massive four day “Icons & Legends of Hollywood” auction in June – a “screen used” prop lightsaber attributed to use by Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.  Profiles in History claimed that the “hero” lightsaber had provenance leading back to the late John Mollo, the costume designer on the film who passed away late last year.  I pointed to an active discussion on the Replica Prop Forum, with some members openly questioning the authenticity of the piece.  It appears that the piece – Lot 775 – has been pulled from the auction, as a fresh download of the online PDF version of the catalog for the sale is two pages lighter.  Scanning the now 499 pages, it skips the previous two page spread of Lot 775 entirely. [Read more…]

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Profiles in History’s “Screen Used” Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber from “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” Raises Questions

Today, Profiles in History is making news with Associated Press announcing one of the highlights of their next Hollywood auction, a “screen used” prop lightsaber attributed to use by Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.  Profiles in History claims that the “hero” lightsaber has provenance going back directly to the late John Mollo, the costume designer on the film who passed away about six months ago.  Head over to the Replica Prop Forum, and there is already a discussion underway, with some members raising questions. [Read more…]

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Roger J. Christian Offers Some Insights Into Original Prop Lightsabers from “Star Wars: A New Hope” (Update To NRA Museum / Graflex Flash / Ellis Props Articles)

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This week Roger J. Christian, who won an Academy Award for his work as Set Decorator on Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), published a reader comment to one of my older articles concerning the prop lightsabers used in that first Original Trilogy film, and two featured at the NRA Museum acquired from Ellis Props.  I feel Mr. Christian’s information as principal production member directly involved in the props was definitely important to highlight here and memorialize as part of the ongoing dialogue concerning memorabilia in the marketplace that is characterized by some as “authentic” and “original” to the production, when that might not be the case. [Read more…]

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Ellis Props “Star Wars Luke Lightsaber” Update – Additional Photos

A short update regarding the lightsaber on display at the National Firearms Museum, originally sold by Ellis Props in their liquidation sale, characterized as an original prop from the Star Wars trilogy. [Read more…]

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Ellis Props “Star Wars Luke Lightsaber” Update – Comments from Jim Supica, Director of the National Firearms Museum

Mr. Jim Supica, newly appointed Director of the National Firearms Museum, was kind enough to read the article published this week (see Ellis Props “Star Wars Luke Skywalker Lightsaber”?) about the lightsaber on display at the museum, originally sold by Ellis Props in their liquidation sale, characterized as an original prop from the Star Wars trilogy. [Read more…]

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Star Wars “Original Prototype Lightsabers from 1976 Meeting”

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…]