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

By

Exclusive Details & Photos: Original Han Solo Blaster Movie Prop from Return of the Jedi to be Sold by Julien’s Auctions in June

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…]

By

Auction Buyer Files Lawsuit Against Profiles in History Over Tony Soprano Costume from Final Episode of “The Sopranos”

A customer of Profiles in History, Dwight Manley, has this week filed a lawsuit against the auction house in Los Angeles Superior Court.  Manley is suing over a costume worn by James Gandolfini in the final episode of The Sopranos, and has also named The Golden Closet as a Defendant as the company was the consignor of the item in question.  His complaint alleges fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of express warranty.  [Read more…]

By

WITHDRAWN: Bonhams Pulls “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” from “TCM Presents… Out Of This World!” Auction

Last week The Original Prop Blog published an article about the “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” prop up for public auction in their current “TCM Presents … Out of This World!” event scheduled to conclude on November 21st.  The description in the online catalog had been edited to remove the (vague) details about the provenance, and the piece in question seems to match a “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber prop that I wrote about in 2013 that was offered for sale on eBay and seemed to have a connection with Elstree Props.  Today, the lot is marked as “WITHDRAWN” on the item page. [Read more…]

By

“A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” in Current Bonhams Auction Raises Questions

Bonhams has put up a piece for public auction in their current “TCM Presents … Out of This World!” event scheduled to conclude on November 21st – a prop which they describe as “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi”.  The description in the online catalog has been edited to remove the (vague) details about the provenance, and the piece in question seems to match a “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber prop that I wrote about in 2013 that was offered for sale on eBay and seemed to have a connection with Elstree Props (and went unsold with a high bid of $5,101 not reaching the reserve).  The 2013 article about that “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber was one of a series of features published on the Original Prop Blog specifically about Elstree Props and lightsaber props attributed to Return of the Jedi (I even had an opportunity to ask Mark Hamill himself about one of these props at San Diego Comic Con in 2009). [Read more…]

By

Prop Store Launches “The Dexter Auction” Running Through December 2nd

prop-store-dexter-auction-showtime-tv-prop-costume-wardrobe-memorabilia-2016-fi

Prop Store have today launched another official online auction, this time for Showtime’s Dexter.  This one features wardrobe, props, scripts and other production material from all eight seasons of the popular cable series. [Read more…]

By

Premiere Props ‘Hollywood Extravaganza XL’ Auction Catalog Online, Television & Movie Prop and Costume Sale Event December 12th

Premiere-Props-Auction-December-2015-Hollywood-Extravaganza-Famous-Movie-Props-Costumes-FI

Premiere Props have listed their next auction as part of their “Hollywood Extravaganza XL”. The one-day auction is scheduled for December 12th, marketing 500 lots. As with past auctions, the sale includes a mix of original props, costumes, and other film and television artifacts, as well as general Hollywood Memorabilia and a lot of replicas/reproductions/toys. [Read more…]

By

Update: Ewbank’s “Not A Prototype” Andrew Ainsworth Stormtrooper Helmet Sells for £3,500 GBP at Auction

Ewbanks-Auctions-Prototype-Unfinished-Stormtrooper-Helmet-Details-Photos-Letter-Compare-Auction-Early-Prototype-SOLD

This is a quick update to recent articles about the “not a prototype” Andrew Ainsworth stormtrooper helmet that Ewbank’s put up at auction this month (“not a prototype” being interesting in that the maker, Andrew Ainsworth, himself claims the helmets of this style are prototypes).  In any event, this one did in fact sell at auction for £3,500 GBP (hammer price).  [Read more…]

By

Ewbank’s Comments on Facebook About Their “Not A Prototype” Andrew Ainsworth Stormtrooper Helmet Auction

Ewbanks-Auctions-Prototype-Unfinished-Stormtrooper-Helmet-Details-Photos-Letter-Compare-Auction-Early-Prototype

An interesting discussion has broken out on the official Ewbank’s Facebook page about the Stormtrooper helmet in their upcoming auction (which I wrote about earlier this month – see “Andrew Ainsworth “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmet Withdrawn By Christie’s in 2014 Now Offered by Ewbank’s in 2015“).  Ewbank’s has stated in this Facebook discussion that the helmet “is not a prototype“.  However, they include a letter as proof of authenticity in which the helmet’s maker, Andrew Ainsworth, states in writing that the helmet “was an early prototype made by myself“.  This is the exact same helmet that Christie’s put up for auction last year and then decided to withdraw from their own auction.  What does Ewbank’s have to say about Christie’s pulling the same item from their auction?  Per Ewbank’s, Christie’s “mis-catalogued [it] as a ‘prototype’“.  Yet Christie’s marketed the helmet as what Mr. Ainsworth claimed it to be… a “prototype”.  Confused yet?  So is Lindsay Muir (wife of Brian Muir, who sculpted the Stormtrooper armor and Darth Vader helmet for Star Wars).  She entered into this public debate with Ewbank’s on their Facebook page regarding their helmet up for auction.  Ewbank’s closing remarks to Mrs. Muir (one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on these matters) includes the line, “[y]our view is certainly not my experience of bidders who are generally very well informed actually”.  This, from the auction house who would seem to suggest that the maker of the artifact they have up for sale – who provided the letter regarding it’s provenance and authenticity – is flatly wrong about his own characterization the piece that he himself made and as he addressed it in that letter.  It would seem that auction houses (like with Profiles in History’s last auction) are evolving to reject Andrew Ainsworth credibility on his own creation, while embracing that very lineage to help them sell these problematic artifacts.
 [Read more…]