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

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San Diego Comic-Con 2019: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2019. 2019 is the first year that Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! exhibited pieces from the collection in the main exhibit hall.  On display was the lightsaber prop purchased from Profiles in History and attributed to use by Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, the Han Solo blaster from Return of the Jedi purchased from Julien’s Auctions, and a Hoverboard from Back To The Future Part II and a bullwhip from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.  In that I cataloged the Han Solo blaster for Julien’s, I noticed that it appears to have since been damaged (and as you’ll note in the photos, the handle of the blaster is held in place by some gum-like material in this display. [Read more…]

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San Diego Comic-Con 2019: Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper Costume Exhibit

This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2019. There was a large area of the main Exhibit Hall carved out for all things Star Wars, and as has been tradition, they had costumes from all of the films on display, featuring different types of imperial stormtrooper armor. [Read more…]

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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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YouTube Update – “Darth Vader Lightsaber Prop from ‘Return of the Jedi'” from 2010 Auction

This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube videos, with this one serving as a direct update to an article published here on the Original Prop Blog back in May of 2010.  At that time, there were questions about a prop lightsaber up for auction attributed to the character of Darth Vader in the film, Return of the Jedi.  Some of these questions were raised in my article published on May 31, 2010 (Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 40′ Video Preview: Darth Vader Lightsaber Prop from ‘Return of the Jedi’).  Don Bies, former curator of the Lucasfilm Archives, has provided some information relevant to those outstanding questions, which is shared in this latest YouTube video. [Read more…]

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Han Solo Blaster from “Return of the Jedi” Sold By Julien’s Auctions for $550,000 to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

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…]

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“The Star Wars Collection” Highlights Prop Store’s “Cinema Poster Live Auction” in London and Online on June 28th

As mentioned last month, this week Prop Store is holding their first auction focusing on posters.  The Cinema Poster Live Auction in London on June 28th.  The principals behind Prop Store are well known for their love of Star Wars, so it is not surprising that their first poster sale features some significant pieces from the franchise, and what they star is “the most extensive collection of Star Wars posters ever to be offered on the open market”.  There is also an exhibit at London Odeon BFI IMAX cinema. [Read more…]

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Julien’s Auctions’ Jerry Lewis and “Hollywood Legends” Auctions June 22nd & June 23rd

Julien’s Auctions is holding a two-day auction at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino next month, following an exhibition of the same. Their “Property from the Estate of Jerry Lewis” will be held on June 22nd and their “Hollywood Legends” auction will be held on June 23rd.  Highlights include the James Shoppe collection, which features props and production material from the Art Director on Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. [Read more…]

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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…]