Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Integrity and Authenticity - Part I



One thing that I have been very diligent about in my 6 years in this hobby is authenticity.  That encompasses a lot of things.  Provenance, screen capping, research.  And this is very important as lately there have been some unscrupulous attempts to both prove and disprove the authenticity of Star Trek items.

At the core of every attempt at authentication is a level of integrity and commitment to the hobby.  Your personal gain, whether monetary or otherwise, is irrelevant to the process.  And I would say, that if you have self interest in the outcome, you have to set an even higher standard.

So in this article, I will first cover the basics of authentication.  Next article I will deal with ethics and integrity.  The final article will be the most recent example of how this is done right and done wrong.


COAs

Sometimes it is easy to prove something is what is claimed.  You may have a COA from It's a Wrap or an invoice from Christies (remember there were no COAs from Christies).  We know those are the two studio sources for Star Trek props & costumes and that tells you the item is authentic.  Propworx has sold items from Doug Drexler, Mike Okuda, Rick Sternbach and other Star Trek crew (as well as items that have come on the secondary market - meaning resales of Christie's and IAW items).  So that is a great source you can trust as well.

But what happens when you get an item that is not from these sources?  I would put everything in any other auction in this category.  How do you know it is real?  

Now, everyone knows I give ZERO credibility to a COA.  I don't care if it is from Profiles in History, who we know has been sloppy with their authentications from time to time, or The Prop Store, who I trust and heck, Jarrod Hunt, my former Propworx right hand man works there now and I know he is meticulous as I trained him!  But both these companies have made mistakes.   Now these mistakes are not intentional, as they each have limitations they have to deal with.  Profiles has 1,000+ items in each catalog and they simply don't have the time to do the proper work on each item, so they often just take the consignors word.  This is where you most need to be careful.  And The Prop Store is generally very very good, but from time to time things have gotten through as happens with any company that deals in props.  Still, even with a company as good as The Prop Store, I always do my own homework.

Now, getting a refund if something turns out to be fake is not an issue with The Prop Store.  They are honorable people who stand behind their sales.  Profiles I have no experience with their return policy, but I did have a good dealing with Brian Chanes recently, that I will describe in my next article.  We were trying to get more info on an item I won.  He was very helpful, and knew that I have very high standards when proving an item is real.  I have no doubt that if the item had turned out to be fake, he would have refunded my money.

So remember, you have to be careful with COAs. 


SCREEN MATCHING

Screen matching remains the best way to prove an item that is not from Christie's, IAW or Propworx, is in fact real.  This is actually a terribly fun process that I have spent hours on for individual props and costumes.

Screen matching is simply the process of looking closely at screen captures (screen caps) of Star Trek episodes and movies and finding specific marks and clues from an item on screen and comparing them to the item in question.  

Here is the definitive screen cap that proved that the Kirk tunic was in fact real.  Gerald Gurian helped me with this authentication and put this together:


Screen matching doesn't lie, but I have seen situations where one person has seen something that another does not.  So you have to come up with REALLY good distinguishing marks.


PROVENANCE

Provenance is simply the history of an item.  Can you track an item through who owned it back to the studio?  Sometimes, with items from Christie's or IAW, the Provenenance is clear, it comes directly from the Studio!  With Propworx items, the provenance is usually that it comes from someone who worked on Star Trek.

But what about other items?  Well, usually you don't know.  Sometimes you can work with the seller and find out who the item came from.  But often people want to keep that secret.  In fact often people will lie about it. Why?  Because often the items went out the back door of the studio.

In the big Profiles auction in 2010, most of the items were from one consignor.  Now he had told me directly that he had a friend who worked at Paramount who would sell him stuff out the back door.  And he had bought a LOT of stuff.  Well, when he went to sell it, the story became he had found a storage unit full of the stuff.  So how do you know?  

Many people asked me if it was OK to buy these items, since they were effectively stolen property.  In this case I had called my contacts at both Paramount and CBS who said that they would not pursue anyone buying items that didn't have legitimate Paramount provenance.  This effectively legitimized the items.  And while Profiles was upset I called the items "stolen" there was no question they were, but my efforts allowed people to buy the items knowing that title was good.

So provenance is a both the best way to identify a Star Trek item, as there are over 10,000 Christies and IAW items out there, and sometimes difficult if NOT from one of those two sources.


So, those are the basics.  Next article will be about the ethics and how integrity is being compromised in the hobby.

Alec

Monday, October 8, 2012

The Galileo Restoration Project - A Brief History


Adam and I in front of Galileo

As many of you know, Adam Schneider and I acquired the Galileo shuttlecraft full size set from the original Star Trek this past June in at auction.  So I thought I would give a little history of the project and where it is going.

In June of 2010 I started hunting for the Galileo after reading a thread on a forum about it.  My good friend Steve Thomas knew the parties who were the restorers and the last known owner of it.  I asked Steve to make inquiries into it and see if we could find it.  Unfortunately, the owner had disappeared and the last know location of the Galileo had been sold and the Galileo moved or destroyed.

I asked Steve to write up a history of the Galileo which he did and which we originally published on the Startrekprops.com, The Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Blog here:

http://www.propworx....galileo-part-i/

and here:

http://startrekaucti...eo-part-ii.html

They are also posted on the Galileo Restoration website that we have put together here:

http://galileorestoration.com/

As I am a regular blogger for StarTrek.com, the official CBS Star Trek website, I got these articles of Steve's published there last year when we were still looking for the old girl.

And here is an article on the restoration Lynn Miller undertook with the help of Bill Krause and his crew from the Star Trek fan club USS Lagrange.

http://startrekaucti...estoration.html

So when Lynn resurfaced with the Galileo and posted her intent to sell it, I started a dialog with her.  A lot of fan groups wanted to get her, but Propworx and my role with the CBS Star Trek archive let Lynn know we had the ability to restore the Galileo the right way.  Adam Schneider, who is one of the biggest collectors of Star Trek screen-used filming miniatures called me and said "What do we need to do to save her?"  Adam, like I, strongly feels that Galileo is a piece of history and needs to be preserved.  And Adam has the ability and connections to do this the right way.  So we made an offer to Lynn, but she wanted to go the auction route and did.

Adam and I won it at auction and began the process of looking for restoration facilities and museums.  The idea is for us to restore it to its full glory and then donate it to a museum for all fans to see.  Adam has great connections with the two biggest museums we are thinking of donating it to, and we have hunted down a few others as well (more on this later).

A lot of my effort has been to getting the word out and getting Trek luminaries involved.  Doug Drexler, Mike Okuda and John Eaves have all attached their names to the project.  I sold both Doug and Mike's collections so they were only a phone call away.  John Eaves, who I am a huge fan of, called me up and said he wanted to do whatever we needed to help.


Gene Winfield

And then, after we moved all of the Galileo parts to its new storage facility, I got the contact info for Gene Winfield, legendary hot rod customizer and builder of the Galileo.  He is located 2 hours north of me in Mojave, CA.  So on my way to the Las Vegas Star Trek convention (The world's biggest Star Trek convention where Adam and I were speaking on Galileo) I stopped by and saw Gene.  he was totally excited that we won the Galileo and committed to do anything he could to help.  He even still had the molds for the seats they used as well as other parts we will need to refurbish her. 


So that is where we are at the moment.  Adam has been doing all the leg work on where to restore Galileo and it is on the move to a shop that will bring it back to its original condition that is near Adam.


More info and photos to come.

Alec

Brookes Ames (Auctioneer) and Lynne Miller (former owner) with Adam and I on the day we moved Galileo

Saturday, October 6, 2012

The Zefram Cochrane Statue



This account of the history of the Zefram Cochrane statue is by Doug Drexler

Star Trek: First Contact was the high point for the Next Gen series of features. It had a lot going for it, including plenty of action, our favorite villains, humor, and one of the great historical Trek characters, Zefram Cochran. One of my favorite moments, is when the ever enthusiastic Geordi LaForge gushes to Cochran about his statue, which will one day tower over the site they are standing on.

While working on the color version of the Star Trek Encyclopedia with Mike and Denise, it occurred to me what a cool thing it would be to include a picture of Cochran’s statue. M & D enthusiastically agreed, and I went directly to the art supply on Laurel Canyon, picked up an armature, some roma plastilina, and got to work. By the end of the day, there it stood. I had based it on Levar’s descriptive pose, and added some plans to the crook of Cochrans arm. The final touch was to adapt Picard’s distinctive two finger “engage!” point, as if our erstwhile captain was invoking this very statue each time he gave the order for the great starship to go to warp.

Fast forward to “Enterprise”. Right there in the series bible, it says that the ship’s captain, Jonathan Archer, idolizes Zefram Cochran. What a great bit of set dressing for Archer’s quarters the sculpture would make. I packed it in my bag, brought it with me to Paramount the next day, and set it prominently on top of my computer monitor.
I’ve learned a lesson working with strong willed, and independent creative people. Never push an idea, let them come to it themselves. Jimmy Mees, our brilliant set decorator was one of those guys. So I bided my time. I knew that on the day Rick Berman inspected the dressed sets, Jimmy would rush into the office wide eyed, looking for appropriate, and last minute set dressing.

On the day, my buddy Jim Vanover, ace Okudagram animator said, “hey Dougie, why don’t you give the Cochy to Jimmy Mees for Archer’s quarters?” I smiled, looked at my watch, and counted down, “3…2…1.” The door to the office banged open, and there stood Mr. Mees with that hunter’s look. His eyes darted around the office in search of prey. “I need last minute, inspired, additional set dressing for Archer’s quarters! Make it quick, ’cause Berman is on his way over to stage 8!” “Hmmmmmm…” I said, raising my arm and pointing at nothing in particular. Jimmy’s eyes snapped to where I indicated. “What? Where?” Playing it for maximum drama, I slowly rotated a full 360, pointing all the way. Jimmy’s head followed like a dog glued to a treat. “Could you … use… a statue… of ARCHER’S… HERO…….. PERHAPS?” My pointing finger came to rest on the sculpture. Jimmy eyes popped out of their sockets. “PERFECT! GENIUS!” he snatched up the Cochy and made for the stage, leaving behind a cloud of dust. Vanover looked at me with admiration. “You’re good!” He said.

A little later, I’m standing in the art department kitchenette, cleaning someone else’s peanut butter off of my coveted bread knife for the eighteenth time. Jimmy Mees walks into the department looking quite pleased with himself. “Well, that couldn’t have gone better!’ He beamed. “Oh, and Doug, when Berman saw that statue of Cochran he was astonished! He said… Where did you ever find THAT?!”

He, hee, heeee! I squealed (on the inside), puffing my chest out, I awaited my accolades. “I told him I sculpted it!” grinned Jimmy. ; )

Doug Drexler

Saturday, September 15, 2012

The Dreier Collection Auction Review - Part III


Well, now to wrap up this series of reviews of the Dreier Collection auction from Profiles in History, I will cover the rest of the pieces of significance in the auction.  Overall, a great selection of items was sold.  Here are more highlights...



Lot 205 Hero Klingon Tricorder


Sold for (4,750.00 + 1,092.50) = $ 5,842.50

 
I have to admit I was under-bidder on this and would have loved to add this to my collection.  But I bid $ 4,500 and was out bid, and I just didn't feel this was worth the $ 6,000 price it would cost me to win this.  As it is it closed at $ 4,750, which, when you add the BP, comes to $ 5,842.50.  Now, admittedly, these aren't common, so maybe I was just being cheap.  but I had already won one item, and so I was content to let this go.


Sold for (4,000.00 + 920.00) = $ 4,920.00
Well, no surprise that the world's biggest Ferengi collector, Francis, won this!  And it couldn't go to a better home.  At $ 4,920 it is a bit high, but it does come on a full mannequin.  And Francis seemed very happy to have won this particular costume.


Lot 208 Static Starfleet PADD 
 
Sold for (650.00 + 149.50) = $ 799.50

The Federation PADD at $ 799.50 is strong for a pretty bland one.  These things are a dime a dozen and there were hundreds of these made.  I think you pay no more than $ 600 for these.


Lot 209 Static Cardassian PADD

Sold for (900.00 + 207.00) = $ 1,107.00
I am surprised at the Cardassian PADD, which is tiny!  going for $ 1,107.  That is way high.    It is 4" tall!

Sold for (3,250.00 + 747.50) = $ 3,997.50
 
I have to say that at $ 3,997.50 I find this high for a static, non functioning Tricorder.  Pretty basic piece and there have been a lot or Tricorders lately.  I think this is an average price for a functioning one.
  



Sold for (3,000.00 + 690.00) = $ 3,690.00
This is a good price for a rare prop.  I have seen this prop and we just don't see that many working, non-Federation Tricorders.  A good prop at a good price. 

Lot 215 Jem'Hadar Pistol


Sold for (750.00 + 172.50) = $ 922.50


This was actually noted as missing the barrel cover and I give Profiles credit for noting this.  Used by both the Jem'Hadar and other alien races, this piece was pretty fairly priced at $ 922.50.




Lot 219 Geordi VISOR


Sold for (7,500.00 + 1,725.00) = $ 9,225.00


Well, this is about what one would expect for a Gerodi VISOR, which is one of the truly iconic pieces from TNG.  I am thinking I need to add one of these to my collection, but still a chunk of change!  But well displayed here by Profiles.  




Lot 220 Enterprise E Command Chair


Sold for (22,500.00 + 5,175.00) = $ 27,675.00


My buddy Gary won this for his amazing Star Trek media room.  He formerly had Captain Archer's chair and wanted to update it as he also has the Enterprise E helm and nav consoles.  I can't say that this is either expensive, nor reasonable, but it is one of two Enterprise E chairs in circulation (another got stolen and who knows where that is!).  So I think it is market price! 

 

Lot 221 Seven of Nine Costume

This costume has both the under-girdle/corset and a tricorder holster.  It sold for $ 13,530.  (11,000.00 + 2,530.00 BP), showing that Seven of Nine costumes are as strong as Captain's costumes!  


This is one of the nicer ones in that it is two-tone and Profiles did a good job displaying it on a mannequin, which you have to do if you own a 7 of 9 costume.  Most Federation costumes look great just on a form and costumer (the way Christie's and Propworx have done it).  But a slinky catsuit needs to be displayed on a full female mannequin.  




Lot 222  Static Starfleet PADD


Sold for (2,750.00 + 632.50) = $ 3,382.50


ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?    What two people thought this PADD was worth over $ 3,000?   At $ 3,382.50, this non-hero PADD has to be the most overpriced PADD ever sold.  Certainly one of the most expensive.  And it is a re-purposed Cardassian PADD!  It doesn't even look like a Federation PADD.  Now, I will tell you I bid $ 1,000 on this because of its distinctiveness, but two people thought it was worth a lot more and I have no clue why!


And the screen cap Profiles provided is 100% WRONG.  WTF they put a bad screencap in is beyond me, but this is almost fraudulent.  That is NOT the right screencap, and Picard DID NOT use this PADD.


Trekcore is the definitive source for HD screencaps and so there is no excuse for this sloppiness.  Go here to see the HD screencap of this image and see it is NOT what Profiles claims.


http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/firstcontacthd/firstcontacthd1817.jpg

SCREENCAP IN PROFILES CATALOG:



HD SCREENCAP FROM TREKCORE:



This is CLEARLY not the PADD offered by Profiles in this lot. 
 

Lot 226 Gold Plated Enterprise Miniature


Sold for (7,000.00 + 1,610.00) = $ 8,610.00


There were a LOT of these made for First Contact.  But I find it interesting that Profiles has more detailed information on this one and would love to have found out more.  A very cool piece, but I think on the high side because there are so many of them.




Sold for (8,000.00 + 1,840.00) = $ 9,840.00

Can't argue with this price and we see good captain's costume holding strong and even moving up a bit. I bought my Archer (The "These are the Voyages" version) for $ 5,000 and that is where Archer's have traded up till now.  This is a good price and means quality is still strong in Enterprise costumes.



Sold for (7,000.00 + 1,610.00) x 1 = 8,610.00
What I love about this is it includes both pips and a comm badge, which sadly, most It's a Wrap costumes never did.   Strong at $ 8,610, this goes to show Data's enduring appeal.  Plus this is a great looking costume.


Well, there you go!  More coming tomorrow!

Alec
 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The Dreier Collection Auction Review - Part II

The Weapons

I am going to cover the weapons in this article.  There were 16 weapons (2 of which were the Klingon Bat'Leth and Mek'Leth) and thus 14 phaser weapons.  Sadly for me, very few were Federation weapons.

Prices have settled into a very predictable range, with generic props going in the $ 700-800 range, known races in the $ 1,000-1,200 range and hero weapons in the $ 1,500-2,000 range.  Note this is for ALIEN races and not Federation phasers, which of course, go higher.

I note all prices WITH the Buyer's Premium (23%).




Lot 223 Static EVA Phaser Rifle from "First Contact"

There have been a few of these out there, and I paid $ 5,000 for my hero, which is about right for hero versions.  At $ 3,997.50 this is fair as it is much rarer than the standard Type II phasers.  Plus it is just damn cool!


Lot 198  Romulan Disruptor Pistol

At $ 1,045.50, this is a good deal. If you collect alien phaser weapons, then I think you start with the major races...Klingons and Romulans.  So this is an important piece, and used throughout TNG through Voyager.


Lot 210 Hero Romulan Disruptor Rifle

Labeled a "Hero" as there were no working versions of these rifles.  They are pretty darn nice as I own one and they are very beautifully painted.  Of course, to be a Romulan completist, you will need to also get the "V" version of rifle used in TNG.  At $ 1,168.50 this was right around the $ 1,200 these usually go for.


Lot 211 Cardassian Disruptor Pistol

I love this weapon and have one.  There were no working versions of this pistol, just resin and rubber versions.  Very reasonable at $ 1,107.  I collect all the DS9 alien races and so have costumes and props from these races.  Each costume has matching weapons, both pistol and rifle versions.  Building your collection like this is a great way to create a theme that tells a story.


Lot 206 Quark's Phaser
 
This is said to be Quark's, but it is not clear WHY Profiles makes this claim.  Yes, they show a photo of Quark using a weapon like this, but is it screen matched?  The Profiles photo is the reverse angle of the screen cap and so you can't tell.  I have had this issue before with Profiles.  They claim items are used by specific characters without proof.   Either way, at $ 1,353 this is fairly priced even if NOT used by Quark.

Lot 213 Vulcan Phaser Pistol

A re-purposed Ferengi Pistol from DS9, this went for a very strong $ 1,968, which I find very high, giving this the worst deal of the auction.  But it is only about $ 600 too much, so not that bad.



Lot 215 Jem'Hadar Phaser Pistol

This pistol is missing the barrel cover and I have to give Profiles credit for noting that in the description.  None the less, as I mention above, this is another one I have, which goes with my Jem'Hadar costume.  At $ 922.50, reasonably priced.


Lot 199 Alien Phaser Pistol

Used by a few different alien races, note that it is also the same as the Suliban pistol below.  At $ 799.50 you get a decent looking weapon, and I think you don't pay more than this for a generic weapon.  $ 600-800 is about right.


Lot 231 Working Suliban Phaser Pistol

I liked this one a lot.  It lights up and was a primary weapon in "Enterprise".  At $ 1,845 it was reasonably priced.  


Lot 229 Sulban Phaser Pistol

The other Suliban pistol used in "Enterprise" it also lit up and was a good deal at $ 1,230 as it also was a light up version!  This was the one used in "Broken Bow".  I kind of like the Flash Gordon retro design.


Lot 223 Prototype Phaser Weapon

Advertised as made as a prototype for Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek prop maker extraordinaire Mike Moore from HMS says that it was originally made for Voyager and then submitted later for Enterprise and rejected.  Not my style, but a few people bid on it. It went for $ 861.

And the other weapons:

Lot 203 Trill Phaser Pistol  - $ 738

Lot 204 Alien Phaser Pistol - $ 738

Lot 216 Alien Phaser Pistol from Voyager - $ 861


So overall, no surprises and prices have settled into predictable ranges.  I am looking forward to future  

Tomorrow is a review of the rest of the Dreier Auction.

Alec



Sunday, September 9, 2012

The Dreier Collection Auction Review - Part I

The Dreier Collection auction from Profiles in History was certainly one of the best Star Trek auctions Profiles has brought us in years.  Dreier was one of Profiles most prolific buyers and so built a huge collection.  He was also a Star Trek fan, especially TNG and so has a great collection of props.  

I am breaking this post up into two, and then I will review the Profiles Icons of Hollywood Auction.You can also review the auction items on the iCollector site.

So here we go....



 Lot 183  Original Tribble from TOS

The TOS Tribble went for $ 3,382.50.  This is HALF of what a TOS Tribble went for in the last Profiles auction ($ 6,755).  And this shows an important point.  Once an item sells at a high point, the next time a similar item comes up it will have less bidders bidding it up.  And in the previous auction, the third bidder didn't bid very high, then in the next auction the under bidder will, if he is still after the piece, will have a lot less competition. 


Lot 184  Matt Jeffries Klingon Battlecrusier Concept Sketch

This went for $ 2,767.50, which is probably about right for this.  Any of these sketches is valuable to a TOS fan, especially those of us who remember them from "The Making of Star Trek" book.  Those in the book are certainly more valuable.  




Lot 185 William Shatner "Kirk" TMP Wrist Communicator

There has been a lot of bad information about this piece.  In fact one individual has claimed to own this piece (Twice!) when he didn't.  My next two articles will be about this very piece.  But let me say, that assuming the provenance is strong, this piece was the best deal in the auction.   But rest assured, the proof will be delivered after my usual exhaustive research.  I should be wrapping the whole thing up tomorrow.


Lot 187 Walter Koenig "Chekov" Brown Leather Jacket

A pretty good deal at $ 2,767.50.  The was what Chekov used through out Star Trek IV.   I think a main character movie costume is always a good piece to anchor your collection.




Lot 188 Borg Costume

The beauty of this piece is the mannequin.  It sold for $ 15,990 and probably a fair price based on its displayability.  It was a beauty and very well executed. 








Lot 189 Klingon Costume

Identified as a feature film costume, and interestingly, with Kruge's boots from Star Trek III (thanks to Don Gaffney for pointing this out).  The price of $ 11,685 was high for a Klingon based on previous sales in the $ 6,000-9,000 range.  But still, these are enduring valuable pieces that are a hug addition to any collection.  


Lot 192 Commander RIker's Back-Lit Control Panel

This is an interesting piece and went kind of high at $ 4,305.  No provenance on this, so I am curious where it is from, but very cool indeed and a great piece for a Riker fan.  Would look great next to his jumpsuit.





Lot 195 Patrick Stewart Picard First Season Jumpsuit

I said this was headed over $ 10,000 and it wound up at $ 13,530.  This is certainly the premier Patrick Stewart costume and shows that Captain's costumes remain strong.


Lot 198  Romulan Disruptor

Notable in how cheap it went at $ 1,045.50.  I am surprised that there are so few people after one of these.  A good deal.


Lot 200  Worf Distressed Costume from "Genesis"

Some people love distressed costumes as they are immediately recognizable and easily screen capped to a particular episode.  


Lot 201  Hero Metal Bat'Leth

Interestingly titled:

MICHAEL DORN “WORF” HERO METAL BAT’LETH FROM STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE

Yet there was no proof that Michael Dorn ever used this.  Now, possibly because it is metal and Michael Dorn probably picked up every metal Bat'Leth made.  Still at $ 7,380 I think it is way over priced.  Rubber Bat'Leths have sold around $ 1,500, and there are several metal Ba'Leths floating around, so it seems pretty high.  Still, one of the truly Iconic props from TNG.

Lot 202  Star Trek Isolinear chips and holders

20 Isolinear chips and three holders for $ 9,840?  Are you kidding me?  WORST BUY of the auction.  This is just crazy.  


Ok, more to come tomorrow.  This would be a long post, so I am breaking it up.  

And make sure you join our Facebook group!

Alec


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The Galileo Panel at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention


 
If you are going to the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention, then please join Adam Schneider and I for the Galileo Restoration Panel, Friday at 10:45am.  We will be telling everyone about our plans for Galileo and our recent trip to collect it and put everything in storage while we figure out our restoration plans.  

Plus, I am happy to announce a very special guest star, Gene Winfield, the man who built Galileo!  Gene lives in Mojave, about 4 hours from Vegas, and when he heard we were doing this panel, he asked to join us!

Gene Winfield

We look forward to seeing you all at the Con!

Alec


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Profiles "Hollywood Auction" # 49 Preview


The OTHER Star Trek auction this week is the regular Profiles in History Hollywood Auction # 49.  There isn't a lot of Star Trek compared the the Drier Collection.  In fact there are only 12 items, and 4 of them are paperwork.

But after yesterday's Drier Auction (results here), most of us who aren't millionaire's are tapped out.  But frankly, the two big pieces here are not for your average collector!



First and foremost is the most important Captain Kirk costume ever to come to market.  An early first season, William Shatner, gold velour Captain's tunic.  I actually discovered this costume as you probably know, and myself and 3 TOS costume experts, James Cawley, Gerald Gurian and Rger Romage, all helped authenticate it.  It has been screen matched to both "This Side of Paradise" and "Shore Leave", and there is a 25 page authentication report that accompanies it.  You can see it in iCollector here.

It has an estimate of $ 80-100,000.  Where will it go?  $ 125,000 for sure.  That is my guess and what I valued this at based on previous auctions.  Most importantly, a Spock that went for $ 130,000 and another that recently went for $ 100,000 (thought that was with pants). 

The significance of this piece cannot be understated.  it is the oldest Kirk tunic that has come to market and it is also in the best condition of any velour of Kirk's.

Here is a review of the other 11 items:

The four pieces of Star Trek paperwork certainly came out of a collection because of the ridiculous prices some paperwork received at the last  Profiles auction, which I wrote about here

Lot 903-905 are just letters from Gene Roddenberry and not particularly interesting.  Lot # 906 is a set of three TOS scripts, one of which appears to be Gene Roddenberry's personal script, but it is hard to tell.  None the less, the lot of TOS scripts is an interesting piece of Star Trek history.  I don't collect scripts so I will pass, but some do and you should look at this lot.


 Lot 907 - USS Enterprise Decals from The Original Series.


VERY COOL!   You got to love these.  I can't believe something so important yet so fragile is still around, and I think it very cool.  I will not be surprised to see this go over $ 10,000.  I wish we had photos of all 4 sheets!


(4) SHEETS OF (250+) VINTAGE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701 DECALS FOR FILMING MODELS FROM STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES. - (NBC-TV, 1966-69) Four vintage wet transfer-type decal sheets specifically designed for use as replacements on the Star Trek: The Original Series 11-foot and 3-foot filming miniatures of the U.S.S. Enterprise on the Howard Anderson visual effects stage on the Desilu Studios lot between 1966-69. 

This item is really exciting, though not something I would have in my collection with so little money to spread around!




Lot 908 "Nona" Necklace from "A Private Little War".  I have seen the top from this costume in someone's collection, so I hope they get this necklace to go with it.  Otherwise, pretty uninteresting.



Lot 910, a First Contact EVA Phaser Rifle.  We just saw one yesterday that went for $ 3,250, so this one should go for less.  If you are a Phaser Rifle completest like me, you need one of these.
 
 
Lot 911 Boomerang Phaser - TOTALLY wrong description.   
 
"This boomerang style phaser is worn by Kate Mulgrew “Captain Janeway” in the Voyager episode, “Endgame”, and is only used in this episode. This style phaser is the basis for the phasers used in Nemesis"
 
The phaser they are talking about is a Dolphin Phaser and this is not this one.  UGH. 



Lot 912 is the Khan Wrist Communicator and Chest Strap

Very cool and would be perfect for that Khan costume that The Prop Store sold last summer.  Whoever bought that costume needs this! (I am like a prop and costume matchmaker).  I haven't screen matched this so can't venture to guess to its authenticity.

Lot 913 Mark IX Hero Medical Tricorder

There have been so many Tricorders and the one in the Drier Auction went at a pretty reasonable price.  This is a medical Tricorder and I assume authenticated with Michael Moore from HMS who is THE authority on these since he designed and made them.   

Finally, the other great item is a piece of the original TOS Enterprise bridge.  But not just any item, but the translight of the Enterprise.


Lot 914 Screen Used USS Enterprise Bridge Panel

This panel originally sold in the first Propworx Star Trek auction in 2010 for $ 14,000.  So it will be interesting to see what it goes for here. 

Here is the Profiles description:

ORIGINAL SCREEN-USED U.S.S. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE PANEL FROM STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES - (NBC-TV, 1966-1969) Original 12 in. x 10 in. monitor graphic from Star Trek: The Original Series. This screen was created for and used on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the first pilot episode all the way through to the end of the third season. The monitor graphic was situated directly to the left of the main helm console on the outer ring of stations. Once the series ended, the set was dismantled and donated by Desilu to the UCLA Drama Department. When UCLA decided to abandon the set in 1970, Mike Jittlov (of The Wizard of Speed and Time) rescued this treasured set piece. The graphic panel consists of overlaid multi-colored gels sandwiched between glass panes. Black gaffing tape on edges holds the panes together. The panel served as the light emit- ting graphic screen atop a light box. A paper label is affixed to lower left, which reads (in full): “Original Enterprise Screen from the Star Trek Bridge Set Liberated by Mike Jittlov as the set was being demolished at UCLA in 1970”.

My guess is this goes for over $ 20,000.  So many lesser props have gone for crazy money and this is a very significant piece of Star Trek history.




Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Profiles "Dreier Collection" Auction Preview

This weekend, Profiles in History will hold the auction for The Dreier Collection.  The Dreiers are of of the premier Hollywood movie memorabilia collectors in the country, and after years putting together an amazing collection, they have decided to sell the entire collection.  

Now their collection has a lot of good Star Trek items from TMP on. The breadth of the collection is good.  Lots of key costumes, almost every type of Phaser weapon, tricorders.  It is a good representation.  So there is something for everyone I think.

The Dreier Collection auction happens Saturday July 28th at 11:00am and you can download the catalog here.  The auction is held on iCollector and  you can register and bid here.

And, as I always say about Profiles in History, what is the provenance?  If you are interested in any of these items, you call Brian or Fong at Profiles up (both awesome, friendly guys) and you ask them for details. 

Lot # 188 Borg Costume   

This is a beauty and should hit $ 10,000 easy I think.  What is special is the mannequin and the makeup to make the costume complete.  It appears to be an IAW item, but again, if you want to spend the big $, you better call Profiles and check on the provenance.


Lot # 195 Picard Jumpsuit

An opening bid of $ 6,000, this costume is headed over $ 10,000.  It is the best known Picard costume I think, and more desirable than the later, two piece costume.  I would trade my Picard "Generations" Veridian III costume for this AND pay $ 5,000 in a heartbeat just to have this version.  My guess is this will be hotly contested.

Lot # 197 Picard Tunic

You know I think of these costumes as one piece that comes apart (yeah, makes no sense, but that is how my brain works!).  So the tunic without the pants just doesn't work for me. That being said, I think this is maybe a $ 5,000 item.

Lot # 201 "Worf" Bat'Leth

I assume there is no provenance stating this was used by Worf, so the fact it is metal would be what leads one to assume it was used by Worf.  But if you are serious, you should call Profiles.

Lot # 220  Enterprise "E" Captain's Chair

Acquired at the Christie's Star Trek Auction where it sold for $ 62,400 (including BP), this chair will get maybe half that.  It isn't iconic like a TV chair and the excitement of Christie's has worn off. 


I strongly urge you to download the catalog.  Besides that there is so much good stuff you should check everything out.  The whole Dreier catalog is pretty awesome.

And tomorrow I will publish a preview of the regular Hollywood auction Profiles is holding the same weekend.

Alec