{"id":381,"date":"2007-06-29T17:25:42","date_gmt":"2007-06-30T00:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/?p=381"},"modified":"2008-08-17T10:15:53","modified_gmt":"2008-08-17T17:15:53","slug":"instruments-of-provenance-the-chain-of-provenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/2007\/06\/29\/instruments-of-provenance-the-chain-of-provenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Instruments of Authenticity & The Chain of Provenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

As discussed in the prior article, Authenticity & Burden of Proof<\/a>, I\u2019ve found the notion that a piece is authentic, unless proven otherwise, to be faulty (as a buyer and collector, anyway).<\/p>\n

Original props should be demonstrated to be authentic, not assumed \u201cOriginal\u201d unless proven inauthentic. As noted in the prior article, it places the burden on the buyer to authenticate, in conjunction with or even following a purchase.<\/p>\n

I think the prevalence, and general acceptance of, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) to contribute significantly to this trend. They are widely accepted at face value.<\/p>\n

The function of a COA is generally to certify authenticity \u2013 without demonstrating authenticity with material information that speaks to source, chain of ownership, and other material facts that would illustrate that a prop or wardrobe piece is or is not \u201cOriginal\u201d (see article, What is \u201cOriginal\u201d?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

This article is a follow-up to many prior pieces, some already noted above, but in particular:<\/p>\n

The Original Prop Purchase Checklist & Questionnaire<\/a><\/p>\n

Challenging The Hobby: The COA & The Guarantee<\/a><\/p>\n

My thoughts of late, a consequence of a series of unrelated events and observations and reflection, focus on the issue of provenance. More, the lackluster provenance (i.e. paperwork) that accompanies most pieces offered for sale and resale.<\/p>\n

The Certificate of Authenticity<\/strong><\/p>\n

As discussed already in the \u201cChallenging The Hobby\u201d article, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) have become the standard for ascribing authenticity to items.<\/p>\n

To recap, there are two \u201ctypes\u201d of COAs used frequently by dealers in the hobby (from the Original Prop Lexicon<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Studio Certificate of Authenticity<\/strong>: A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued directly by the studio or endorsed by the studio responsible for the film or television production in question. Well-regarded in terms of provenance, since it is studio-endorsed and officially released into the marketplace. More, there is no gap in the chain of ownership and the first buyer of the piece, outside of the studio sanctioned reseller. See Certificate of Authenticity, Studio Reseller\/Dealer, Provenance<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Professional Dealer Certificate of Authenticity<\/strong>: A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by a professional dealer. The main function of the Professional Dealer COA is to certify the piece as Original. Another function, which is not typically discussed, is that it frequently \u201creinitializes\u201d provenance – which restarts history of ownership for both new to market pieces as well as \u201cresale\u201d pieces. Each piece is essentially \u201creborn\u201d from the newly established Professional Dealer point of ownership going forward, and the prior history of the piece is lost to the new owner (and likely subsequent owners). One of the inherent issues with Professional Dealers buying, trading, and selling original props is that the history of the piece is typically rendered confidential. This is because dealers are typically very proprietary about information. Therefore, in many cases, Professional Dealer (and other non-studio\/non-studio sanctioned) COAs are lacking in terms of provenance, since the history of ownership and\/or original source is often not cited. Another consideration is that the piece is not necessarily \u201cfree and clear\u201d of any legal\/ownership issues. Some Professional Dealers do offer varying kinds of “money back guarantees” with or as part of their COA. See Certificate of Authenticity, Studio Reseller\/Dealer, Studio Certificate of Authenticity, Provenance, Money Back Guarantee; See article Challenging The Hobby: The COA & The Guarantee <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Generally, non-Studio COAs attest to authenticity generally, but rarely addresses any of the key material information. This, in my opinion, is a weak \u201cinstrument\u201d (or written document).<\/p>\n

This article will look more closely at the various kinds of statements that can be made as well as the material information that should be addresses to outline provenance.<\/p>\n

Statements & Material Facts, Events, Information<\/strong><\/p>\n

To really consider what kinds of documents can be drafted in support of the authenticity of a prop or costume, it is productive to break things down into basics.<\/p>\n

Kinds of Statements:<\/p>\n