This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube video previews of upcoming auctions that take a look at events that feature original props, costumes and other production material from film and television. This first look is for three Profiles in History auction events taking place in the month of December: “Essentially Marilyn: The Auction” on December 11th, “Hollywood Auction 96” on December 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th, and “Once Upon A Time: The Auction” on December 17th. [Read more…]
This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube video previews of upcoming auctions that take a look at events that feature original props, costumes and other production material from film and television. This first look is for the Prop Store’s event on December 1st, “TV Treasures Live Auction: Curated by The Comisar Collection, Inc.”. [Read more…]
This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube video previews of upcoming auctions that take a look at events that feature original props, costumes and other production material from film and television. This first look is for the Ewbank’s event on November 15th, “Propmasters: The 30th Anniversary Auction”. [Read more…]
This is the first in a new series of videos that I will be publishing on YouTube, to supplement the ongoing content on the Original Prop Blog. I have in the past published the occasional video on YouTube, but I saw the platform more as a place to host videos rather than as a “channel” per se, so mixed among content intended for the Original Prop Blog were other videos that had nothing to do with the Original Prop Blog. So this is a brand new channel going forward, and my hope and intentions are to use the video format more regularly in order to produce some different content than what has been the norm. Further explanations are provided in this first introductory video. [Read more…]
As mentioned back in April, I had assisted Julien’s Auctions in cataloging “The James L. Schoppe Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Production Archive” that was featured in their “Hollywood Legends” auction this past weekend at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The highlight of the collection was an original Han Solo blaster movie prop from Return of the Jedi; James Schoppe served as the Art Director on the film, and was gifted several original props at the conclusion of the film production. The collection was sold in live auction on Saturday, June 23rd, and the Han Solo blaster sold for $550,000 including Buyer’s Premium, and the winning bidder was Ripley’s Believe it or Not. I was actually present for the auction, as well as shot video of some of the lots, so I thought I would share a few thoughts as well as the video of the Han Solo blaster selling [Read more…]
Announced some time ago, Profiles in History have finally set a date for their Liza Minnelli sale; “Love, Liza: The Auction” will feature over 1,700 lots and take place on July 30th & 31st and August 1st. The online catalog is now available and the print version is being offered for sale for $100. [Read more…]
The Daily Express have published a puff piece about Andrew Ainsworth (“the designer of the original stormtrooper”) today in an article by Gabriella Geisinger (see “How the Stormtrooper became Star Wars icon ‘More popular than Michelangelo’s David'”). Ainsworth even compares himself to Michelangelo. In the article, Ainsworth gives passing mention to Ralph McQuarrie for his original “sketch” of the Stormtrooper, and as in past interviews of course no mention at all of Liz Moore (who was responsible for the original Stormtrooper helmet sculpt) or Brian Muir (who was the first to sculpt armor parts). And no mention of John Barry, (the production designer) or John Mollo (the wardrobe designer) who were also part of the team that created the Stormtrooper. To be fair, Ainsworth deserves credit for what he did contribute to the original Star Wars film… but he always seems eager to take much more credit than is due. [Read more…]
Today, Julien’s Auctions has announced that an original Han Solo blaster movie prop used in Return of the Jedi will be in their upcoming Hollywood Legends auction at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on June 23rd. The prop is one of the most exciting pieces to come to market from the original Star Wars trilogy in years, and it is a highlight of “The James L. Schoppe Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Production Archive”, with the entire collection coming directly from the Academy Award nominated Art Director who worked on the film. The Original Prop Blog is pleased to present exclusive photos of the prop as well as some additional background about the collection from my having worked with Julien’s Auctions and Mr. Schoppe in preparing the collection for public exhibition and auction. [Read more…]