Tombstone-shaped granite tablets sit on a pedestal, shining in a place of prominence. Across from them and just out of the corner of the eye, a khaki shirt and leather jacket call forth their description as told by a professor of archeology and obtainer of rare antiquities: “Yes, the actual Ten Commandments, the original stone tablets that Moses brought down from Mt. Horeb and smashed, if you believe in that sort of thing.”
Though separated by 25 years, these items are never-the-less connected through a cinematic lineage, relics of films we revere as the best of the best. Moses’ tablets may just be fiberglass, and Indiana Jones’ leather and cotton wardrobe may be that of his stunt double, but they are immediately recognizable by those of us with a yen for adventure and penchant for dark theaters and late-night television. They are part our own past as much as that of the stories they help to tell.
From classic Hollywood and TV to modern cinematic marvels, the artistic artifacts of the films and shows we love can be yours – for a price.
The room around us is a controlled tornado of movie and TV history, well-lit display items mixed up yet somehow connected. Costumes, props, weapons, set pieces and concept drawings that all seem just as valuable as the cherished items of the Louvre. We’re on Los Angeles’ “Museum Row” of Wilshire Boulevard, across from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, La Brea Tar Pits and LA Museum of Art, on the penthouse level of the Petersen Auto Museum which houses artifacts of its own in the form of a timeline of classic and modern vehicles. One section is even dedicated to “picture cars,” those items of wheeled wonder that have somehow transcended past mere conveyance to become stars and celebrities in their own right, fans as excited to spot them on the street as they are to see Harrison Ford or Scarlett Johansson.
Tonight’s preview reception is hosted by Propstore, a transatlantic company split between Los Angeles and London, and positioned as a premier auctioneer of the finest memorabilia on the planet. Private citizens to Producers/Directors can divest themselves of their historical baggage, often making a financial killing at the same time, and fulfilling the dreams of hardcore and well-heeled fans.
There really is something here for every dream. One display of costumes spans from “I Love Lucy” (Ms. Ball’s signature polka-dot dress) to Audrey Hepburn’s 1952 party dress from “Sabrina” and the demure “Sandra Dee” sweater/skirt ensemble from Olivia Newton-John’s drive-in date in “Grease.” Another features Jack Nicholson’s “Chinatown” pinstriped suit, Connery’s dapper Bond threads from “You Only Live Twice” and even Charlie Chaplin’s dress uniform from 1940’s “The Great Dictator.” Seinfeld has a memorable “puffy shirt” here, right next to Morgan Freeman’s “Shawshank” uniform.
Other items range from a “MST3K: The Movie” Tom Servo puppet robot, a helmet from “The Rocketeer”, hero swords (and glaive!) from “Blade”, “Braveheart”, “Beastmaster” and “Krull”, the “Back to the Future” trilogy and Leonard Nimoy-related costumes and art from the first three “Star Trek” films. Mulder and Scully may have turned in their badges and credentials long ago, yet they have resurfaced here, a complete set.
An entire case was given over to Anthony Daniels and his personal C-3P0 relics. Scripts, costume and set parts had an honored position as part of “The Anthony Daniels Collection”, encompassing 125 lots of items from his nearly 50-year history of Star Wars performances as everyone’s favorite, fussy protocol droid. Tony is here in person to present his items, discuss his Star Wars history and engage a rapt audience with behind-the-scenes tales of working within the confines of his golden suit. (Of note: his favorite film was Episode 4, but his most fun film experience was Episode 9. There is quite a bit of dishing on Uncle George – complete with impressions – that has the audience in stitches.) He said the auction represents a turning point for him, passing on his treasures to fans who might appreciate and display them instead of “hiding them in a box under the bed.”
Also present to discuss their long history of film performances are British stunt couple Vic Armstrong and Wendy Leech. He was a dead ringer for Harrison Ford, she doubled Margot Kidder. Superman and Lois? Check. Indy and Marion? Check. 200 credits between them, and they fell in love on the Superman films. Charming and full of exciting stories of scary stunts in a pre-CGI Hollywood, they are as exciting in conversation as they are onscreen.
The rest of the evening is rounded out with good food, an open bar, and spirited conversation among passionate film buffs excited to see so many legendary items in one place – and maybe, just maybe, have a shot at owning one themselves.
Can’t afford to place a bid? Download the catalog here – it’s an amazing source of information and photographs that may come in handy for those cosplay or maker projects. Just keep a drool towel nearby, because there is some amazing stuff in there.
The items shown at the reception are selected as some of the most exciting lots, but there are 1700 items from 580 films and TV shows, so your favorite is likely represented. The bidding has already begun – the “Ten Commandments” tablets, estimated to sell for $80,000, are already up to $20,000.
There’s one more connection between Indiana Jones and Moses – the Ark of the Covenant. While the box from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is safely in the Lucasfilm Archives, the one from “The Ten Commandments” was part of the Debbie Reynolds collection, and just might make its way to auction someday.
What: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: Los Angeles 2024
Where: In Person (Day One) at the Petersen Museum (6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA) or Online (all days) at the Propstore site.
When:
Day One: 12 March 2024 – FILM AND TV – Lots 1 – 464
Day Two: 13 March 2024 – (Morning) – FILM AND TV – Lots 465 – 983
Day Two: 13 March 2024 – (Afternoon) THE ANTHONY DANIELS COLLECTION – Lots 984 – 1095
Day Three 14 March 2024 – FILM & TV – NO RESERVE LOTS – Lots 1096 – End
Entire Online Catalog
PDF Catalog
Update | Day One
- STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) Anthony Daniels Collection: Screen-Matched Light-up C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) Head, sold for $843,750
- EASY RIDER (1969) “Captain America” Wyatt’s (Peter Fonda) Panhead Chopper Motorcycle, sold for $300,000
- STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) Imperial Stormtrooper Helmet, sold for $225,000
- VIVA KNIEVEL! (1976) Evel Knievel’s Custom 1976 Harley Davidson XLCH 1000 Sportster Motorcycle, sold for $162,500
- BLADE RUNNER (1982) Photo-Matched Light-Up Lobster Spinner Aerodyne Model Miniature, sold for $131,250
Propstore, one of the world’s leading entertainment memorabilia auctioneers, has today announced the results of day one of its annual Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction. Just under 500 lots kicked off the 3-day event, coming to an estimated total of $5.94 million.
Over 1,650 rare and iconic lots are being sold during Propstore’s unique Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction over three days from Tuesday 12th – Thursday 14th March 2024, from 9AM PDT each day. Bids can be placed at https://propstore.com/liveauction . Online and telephone bids can be placed across the whole event.
Additional top items sold on day one of Propstore’s auction (all prices inclusive of Buyers Premium) include:
LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (2001-2003) Gimli's (John Rhys-Davies) Double-headed Axe, sold for $125,000
SABRINA (1954) Sabrina Fairchild's (Audrey Hepburn) Screen-Matched Embroidered Silk-Organza Gown, sold for $125,000
INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989) Indiana Jones' (Harrison Ford) Shirt, sold for $93,750
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) Andy Dufresne's (Tim Robbins) Distressed Rock Hammer, sold for $93,750
BRAVEHEART (1995) William Wallace's (Mel Gibson) Screen-Matched Scottish Claymore with Restored Blade, sold for $75,000
THOR (2011) Thor's (Chris Hemsworth) Stunt Mjolnir Hammer, sold for $75,000
STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) Darth Maul's (Ray Park) Stunt Lightsaber with Blades, sold for $75,000
BLADE RUNNER (1982) Hand-Painted Matthew Yuricich "Deckard Hangs from Roof" Aerial Street View Matte Painting, sold for $68,750
KRULL (1983) Prince Colwyn's (Ken Marshall) Metal Glaive, sold for $68,750
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (2010) Light-Up Hero Elder Wand, sold for $62,500Brandon Alinger, COO of Propstore, commented on the auction: “The continued growth and viability of collecting memorabilia was on full display today with notable sales from virtually every era and genre of entertainment. We saw sales of everything from a classic Audrey Hepburn Gown to wands from the Harry Potter franchise. The incredible piece of art from Blade Runner is the highest priced matte painting Propstore has ever auctioned.
Most of all, it has been an honor to bring the second and final part of Anthony Daniels (C-3PO actor) to auction, with his head from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi selling for $843,750. And that was just day one. There are two more days for people to get involved and win their own piece of movie history, with items for new and experienced collectors alike”.
About Propstore
In 1998, Propstore founder Stephen Lane’s love for movies led him to hunt for the same props and costumes used to create his favorite films. He found that he could provide collectors with access to their most coveted pieces and establish archival standards for this new, pop-culture hybrid of fine art and memorabilia collecting—prop art.
Since 2014, Propstore has regularly hosted live auctions featuring some of the world’s greatest Entertainment Memorabilia treasures. Propstore specializes in film and television props and costumes, production materials, and artwork, as well as music memorabilia, posters, and collectible toys. Propstore also holds regular online auctions in association with many of the industry’s major production materials and has over 5,000 items available for sale via Buy Now on www.propstore.com.
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