This is the sixth in a video series highlighting props and costumes in the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 40”. This segment provides Joe Maddalena, CEO of Profiles in History, an opportunity to discuss the provenance of a prop lightsaber attributed to use by the character Darth Vader in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. This is one of many props being sold in the auction event, to be held June 10-12 in Calabasas Hills, CA.
The Replica Prop Forum, more commonly referred to simply as “The RPF”, has added a new “Screen Used Props” sub forum to their website. While there has always been a small percentage of talk dedicated to original props and costumes, as well as many topics that would be of interest to both replica and original prop collectors, this is the first time that a special area has been dedicated exclusively to talk about original props on the board. [Read more…]
Today the High Court of Justice, Court of Appeal in England ruled in favor of Andrew Ainsworth of Shepperton Design Studios in his breach of copyright legal battle with Lucasfilm Limited over the sale of unlicensed replica Star Wars props and costumes. [Read more…]
After a more than year long hiatus, today the Associated Press and other mainstream media outlets have renewed their coverage of the Lucasfilm legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. [Read more…]
As a continuation of recent articles, the focus of this feature is the recent activity in the marketplace concerning the “Staff of Ra” headpiece props attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark – all of which appear to have originated from the Harrison family (who retired from and sold the “Elstree Props” business in early 2008 and now sell unlicensed replica props as “Norank Engineering” and on eBay as “unisusu”). With one purchased for $450 and another offered for resale for $30,000 (along with a German hat), it certainly raises a number of questions and concerns, and warrants investigation, debate, and discussion. [Read more…]
As a continuation of the article published a few days ago (see ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Return to Oz’, Return to eBay, and Return of The Harrisons (formerly “Elstree Props”) from Retirement?) and direct update to one published back in February 2009 (see Elstree Props, Fertility Idols, Light Gods, Danziger Collection COAs (Multiple Topic Update)), I have secured additional information related to the outstanding question, “Who is N. Harrison?”, as signatory on “The Danziger Collection” of “Elstree Film Studios”, found on the previously issued Elstree Props COAs, prior to the change of ownership in early 2008. [Read more…]
This article serves as an update to a number of prior articles related to Elstree Props, “The Danziger Collection” Certificates of Authenticity, “Light God” wall plaque props from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the “Fertility Idols” marketed as authentic from the same film. [Read more…]
This is an update to an article published last week which raised questions of provenance about prop “fertility idols” attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark that have been circulating in the marketplace, along with related issues. [Read more…]
