USS Enterprise model from Sci Fi Museum not what it claims.

The 6' Enterprise model that has been on display at the Sci Fi Museum, allegedly from "Trials and Tribbleations" sold for $ 10,000 on eBay.  However, it is pretty clear this model was never used in the episode.  

This was a model made for sale at Star Trek: The Experience.  I have no idea how this seller claims this was used in Trials and Tribbleations.  It clearly was not.  Like the Jem Hadar Battleship that Profiles in History withdrew, this is not a screen-used model, but from the molds at best.  And most likely, since Greg Jein built the original for that episode, not even that.

An Enterprise model on sale at the Star Trek Experience

 The Enterprise on display at the SF Museum

The owner had Nichelle Nichols and George Takei sign the model.  Every collector who has ever seen this has cringed.  

 Copies of the seller's original receipts only prove it is a souvenir!

1)  Paramount didn't make the models for Star Trek.  These were always outsourced to different model or prop shops, or in the case of the actual "Trials and Tribbleations" Enterprise, Greg Jein.

2)  There is no proof this was in anyway used for "Trials and Tribbleations".

3)  No actual screen used models were sold at Star Trek: The Experience. Some of these models may have come from the original molds, but none were ever screen used.

4)  Paramount never let out models from Star Trek.  They were almost all sold at the Christie's auction.

The eBay auction ad can be found here.

From the eBay auction ad:

I am the first private owner of this genuine USS Enterprise (TOS) model that has been on display at the Seattle Science Fiction Museum for the part several years. The model was one of several built by Paramount Studios for the 1996 5th season Star Trek: DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"; which was produced as a 30th Anniversary tribute to TOS. It is approximately 6 feet long and three feet wide. It is not lighted. I personally had Leonard Nimoy and John Delancie sign the model in Las Vegas where I purchased it from the Star Trek Experience in 1999. I then had it signed by Nichelle Nichols and George Takei at the Science Fiction Museum. I am the person in the green shirt standing with them. I have included photos of the original receipt, the letter of loan and renewal and the insurance document from SFM. The model has always been professionally packed and will be shipped to the buyer in the packaging from the SFM - shipping will be via motor freight and will be billed at actual cost. There are minor scuffs in places, but overall it is in museum condition. This model was not used in the filming of the episode but was made at the same time in the same molds as the "hero" model that was lighted for the episode - that model is still in the possession of Paramount Studios.

It's truly a unique collectible for the Star Trek aficionado. This may be the only opportunity you have to own a NCC-1701 model made directly by Paramount.



Thanks to all on the Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Forum for their insight and thoughts!

Monster Maroon Guide

I found these two great images on Google and thought I would share them.  They are a good guide to the Monster Maroon of Robert Fletcher.

Consignments Closing for the Propworx Star Trek Auction

This is the last week for consignments for the Propworx Star Trek auction, scheduled for May.  If you have any interest, please contact Jarrod@propworx.com.  Jarrod is my right hand man when it comes to Star Trek and is the point person for all Star Trek consignments.

Here are some of the great items in the auction, which will have about 200 items.

Celeste Yarnel's "Lt. Landon" Uniform from "The Apple" with boots!

Klingon Disruptor

Star Trek: First Contact Phaser Rifle

The Jem'Hadar Pistol

The Jem'hadar pistol was seen as an alien weapon as well (without the front cowl).  This one is from my collection.  I also got the Jem'Hadar rifle from Profiles as well at the same auction.

We see a lot of the Jem'Hadar pistol in "One Little Ship"

Used by both sides!

A close up of the pistol from "Tacking Into the Wind"

The last pistol was sold in Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 40, June 2010

Lot 1515. Hero Jem'Hadar Pistol from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. (Paramount-TV, 1993-99) Cast resin pistol with vacuum-formed hood, painted grey with color accents. First used in the episode, "The Jem'Hadar," and subsequently used throughout the series. Built by HMS Creative Creative Productions and measures 9 in. long.

Sale price $ 1,800


Per Star Trek guru Jorg Hillebrand:

The Jem'Hadar pistol, in this incarnation without any modifications, appeared in three more episodes. It was seen as a mirror universe weapon in "Through the looking glass" (used by Smiley O'Brien) and "Shattered mirror" (used by the Intendant).

In "Marauders", two dirty Jem'Hadar pistols were seen as nondescript alien weapons.

The Bajoran Phaser Rifle

First seen in the season 3 Star Trek:Deep Space Nine episode "Shakaar", the Bajoran Phaser Rifle was shorter and bulkier than other phaser rifles, but its differences made it interesting.  

The Original Production Sketch of the Bajoran Phaser Rifle by Jim Martin

From Star Trek: The Magazine

Deep Space Nine: "Shakaar"

Voyager: "Flesh & Blood"

The most recent sale of one of these rifles was in Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 40 for $ 2,250.

Thanks to Jorg Hillebrand for the screencaps!  I have asked Jorg to review every new post and add what he thinks is important.  If you don't know Jorg, he is the premier Star Trek resource.  If you need to know something Star Trek, he is your man, and frequents the Star Trek Prop Forum.

Robert Fletcher Article from "Fantastic FIlms"

This article appeared in the February, 1980 issue of "Fantastic Films".  It is a must read for any Star Trek costume collector!

Click on the images to enlarge, and then adjust your screen to read the text.

 

A Tale of Two Death Stings Part 2

The Klingon Death Sting is an interesting weapon, as it was seen before, in the middle of, and after the development of the other type of Klingon Disruptor.  That type, which we all recognize as THE Klingon Disruptor of the DS9 era was first seen in Star Trek III.  It was later changed to have a "beakie" nose in TNG and later.  

We first see the Death Sting in Star Trek: TMP, but not really!  It is actually stuck in its holster and we only see the butt sticking out of the first officer's holster.

In Star Trek III we see the version we are all so familiar with, but before the "beakie" nose.

ST III Klingon Disruptor - note the nose

In Star Trek VI, we are back to the Death Sting, but now it is a different color and the actual prop is cast off a TMP version.  It now has a solid back.

General Kord with a Death Sting.  Notice it is missing the "tube" on the right side!

TNG starts off with all Klingons using the Death Sting.

In the TNG episode "The Icarus Factor" we see 8 Klingons with Death Stings in their Holsters

The Emissary - K'Ehleyr has a Death Sting in her holster

"Sins of the Father" - Note Kurn's holster

However, in "Redemption Part I, Klingons have switched to the Beakie Disruptor.

"Redemption Part I"  -  Note the silhouette on the right

"The Chase"  -  The Beakie is in full force!

"Firstborn"  -  We see the full beak!

The Beakie was developed because the Star Trek III style kept breaking when actors pulled it from the holster.

And then Deep Space Nine kept the Beakie Disruptor from the outset.

"Past Prologue" - We see the Beakie the whole series.

A Tale of Two Death Stings Part 1

Well, I recently bought a hero resin and metal Klingon Death Sting from a collector friend.  This was the version built for Star Trek V and used in TNG.  What is great is that I own a Death Sting from TMP, which I have written about before here.

So I decided to have my photographer at Propworx take some detailed photos and we can start doing some comparisons and matching.   I went back and reviewed the previous artciles I wrote and thought that since I now have two versions we might be able to get some more detailed info on the history of this weapon.  

So next week  will write some more on these weapons and we will see what more we can learn.  And if you own one of these, please email me and let me know.  I would love to see other versions of this.

TMP Death Sting

Star Trek V Death Sting

The Sword Of Kahless

Acquired from It's a Wrap, this is one of three stunt Sword of Kahless that were made for the Deep Space Nine episode "The Sword of Kahless" and then reused in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Prophecy".

When it came on eBay in fall of 2008 I was on the set of Battlestar Galactica and remember calling Max Cervantes, the well known propmaker, and asking him about the swords.  He told me that three stunt swords were made.

Another stunt sword surfaced recently and my good friend and fellow big Star Trek collector Donna Sakaida bought it.  Though not from an offical source it proved similar to mine.

ST XI Romulan Disruptor in Detail

Here are some detailed photos of the Romulan Disruptor from Star Trek 2009.

Profiles Auction Results

Well, Profiles Auction # 43 went off this past Friday & Saturday and I think it went true to form. Most items went about where one would expect and the items with the high reserves didn't sell. There were also some good bargains.

Here is the rundown:

Lot # 992, TOS Insignia $ 5,500

Well, this really is a premier piece of TOS history and I think it is a reasonable price. The fact that it is from the William Theiss collection is important and make the piece more valuable. You got to love solid provenance (especially since that is never something Profiles reveals much).

Lot # 1004, Starfleet HQ concept sketches $ 1,000

I liked this lot and I think it is a good price. Basically $ 500 each. I was close to going for this, but the holidays have money tight and I passed. Besides, I just pent a ton on some private sales. If the winner wants to sell one to me, let me know!


Lot # 1009, Maroon $ 5,500

Well, this piece wound up right where I expected it. The Sulu pieces drove up the price one would expect for a standard Maroon. So I think the buyer (A good friend of mine) did well with this.

Lot # 1025, Hero Boomerang Phaser $ 3,750

A good price on this I think. I think it could have gone at $ 5,000 no problem. So whoever got this did well.


Lot # 1027, Counselor Troi Monitor $ 1,200

This was a very good deal, maybe the best of the auction. A good character piece that will look great on display (something you all know is important to me!). At $ 1,200 plus BP it is a steal.


Lot # 1031, Picard Starfleet Academy Marathon Wall Placard $ 425

Another really good deal. This piece is an important piece of Star Trek history as we know Picard won the Starfleet Academy Marathon from "Best of Both Worlds Part One". So I like this piece and at this price a STEAL!


Lot # 1034, Brent Spiner Tricorder $ 2,000

Wow, this was another steal! $ 2,000 for a stunt Tricorder isn't bad. This one is attributed to Brent Spiner, which I generally don't give any credence too, but it was attributed by William Dolan, Set Decoration Lead from Star Trek: Insurrection. So it is OK in that case I guess.


Here are a few of the lots that did not sell:

Lot # 995 William Theiss Costume Sketches $ 2,000 is just too high a starting bid. And obviously the lot isn't worth this much. Considering I bought a Captain Kirk costume sketch from TMP for $ 1,000, this lot should have started at that and may have finished around $ 1,500.


Lot # 996 Teri Garr "Roberta Lincoln" costume

A $ 20,000 opening bid is absurd. This costume is a $ 10,000 costume at best if you got lucky and got the right bidder who was rich, didn't have any sense about them, and loved that episode. So good luck finding THAT collector! It just isn't that important a costume!
Lot # 997 Barbara Anderson "Lenore Karidian" costume

If a $ 20,000 opening bid was absurd for the Teri Garr costume, it is insane for this one. This costume is a $ 5,000 costume at best. Mediocre costume, mediocre episode. MEH.

If this consignor came to me and asked for these reserves I wouldn't take the costumes. A waste of time.

Lot # 1026 Dummy Borg Head

Well, this started and failed to open at $ 1,000. This should have started at $ 500, but not a bad buy at $ 1,000 since everyone loves the Borg.

Well, I would love to hear what you won. Please post it on the Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Forum!

Alec