Star Trek Prop Authority

YenChih:
I'm pretty confident as well that this TOS phaser in my collection (which I obtained from an owner who acquired it in 1974) is authentic - a Jim Rugg piece, so why not the communicator as well, LOL ...

You wrote:
"Hi Will:

Remarkable screen capture find! Very insightful.

But truly, in that image Shatner is pulling the communicator quickly from Captain Tracy's hand and the glare of light is visible and just lasts a split second! The communicator is moving on a curved path as it tilts with the motion of Shatner's hand.

Is that not different than the "Return To Tomorrow" screenshots where the size of the extra thick midplate is maintained on screen over significant motion / change of magnification. And Shatner's body even rotates and there is a zoom in the scene - certainly the comm is viewed at multiple angles and the midplate is still large. It's absolutely not a split second flash of light.
Very good flare observation, though!

Very Best,
Gerald"

I’m glad you brought that up because you are correct; there is indeed motion in that screen cap from “The Omega Glory” (although not that quick). There is also motion in the “Return to Tomorrow” cap as Kirk is continually moving away from the camera throughout the entire scene. I believe the distortion we are seeing on the both the midplate and moiré bezel in the “Return to Tomorrow” screen cap is indicative of the aforementioned light reflection expansion and physical motion which is creating the appearance of a larger mideplate and moiré bezel. Again, does your comm have an oversized moiré bezel? If so that may add credence to your theory of non-Wah comms. If so can you post photos of it? I will ignore the "flare" comment jab as it does nothing to further this finally serious discussioin.

Take Care,
Will


PS - I second the comment; nice score on the Zolar phaser!!!!

Sporak said:

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Yes...That's the one we refer to as the Zolar Midgrade.
Bravo on the score

Originally Posted by feek61
PS - I second the comment; nice score on the Zolar phaser!!!!

Thank you, both Sporak and Will!!!!! I must admit that I am now very, very surprised. ... I was somewhat anticipating that when I visited this thread this morning, I would see a long series of remarks here attempting to cast doubt on the authenticity of my midgrade phaser -- as opposed to those much kinder sentiments of congrats. (There could be much hope for my new membership in this forum.)

And, of course, I must totally agree with Sporak when he points out that people CAN and DO own real TOS props.

And, of course, TOS costumes as well. Though it is my sincere impression that there is significantly less controversy surrounding TOS costumes. I've heard it said and also seen some evidence that some Starfleet tunics/dresses have been altered after the fact by collectors - perhaps "mined" for material, etc. - which is unfortunate.

feek61 said:

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I will ignore the "flare" comment jab as it does nothing to further this finally serious discussioin.

Take Care,
Will


PS - I second the comment; nice score on the Zolar phaser!!!!

My apologies ... it absolutely was not intended as a jab ... really a compliment. I know that particular instance of a very fast split-second change in appearance of the comm midplate size in Omega Glory occurred due to lighting/reflection, etc. in that quick curved, hand motion of the comm and the word "flare" - thinking flare/flash of light effect - is how I thought to naturally refer to the phenomenon.

In Bob Justman and Herb Solow's book "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story" (Pocket Books: 1996), there is some discussion on TOS prop fabrication and there is mention that the Star Trek office spent $7,000 of its budget on poorly constructed hand props made by the internal Desilu Prop shop that were deemed too unsightly for photography. Specifically, (referring to Desilu prop shop props), Justman quotes himself: "But they're no f*****g good!" I yelled. “We already spent $7,000 on those abortions, and they can’t even be photographed”. (On page 119 of the book.)

I have never seen any detailed list of what props might have been built by Desilu for that $7000. I realize there are some errors in the books account of things ... as it also claims Wah built some TOS phasers (when it is now the consensus opinion / knowledge that he merely redressed / repainted some phasers after the fact) and it isn't very clear on the relative timing of all events. Since Wah Chang charged Desilu $275 a piece for the two Tricorders and just over $100 each for his comms, it seems that $7000 could have built a huge number of props back then. And the book also says that Wah "designed and built the tricorder and communicator props. But definitely not independently." (Page 120.) - which implies Desilu involvement in the creation of communicator props, IMHO. So I have thought that perhaps the concept of non-Wah Chang midgrade communicators I've introduced into this thread might be explainable as part of that $7000 lot of items made by Desilu - which were then less frequently used onscreen or relegated to more background use onscreen because the 10 from Wah Chang visually appeared nicer.

Any thoughts?

feek61 said:

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I answered my own question regarding the morie' bezel ring on your comm. If as I suspect your comm is the one pictured on page 029 in the "Star Trek 365" book than it is obviously not oversized. Is that indeed your comm?

Also, thanks for posting the great phaser photos although I wish you would post the comm photos too (well and some more phaser photos as well).

Yes, that is my communicator featured in the book "Star Trek 365".

My Rigelian spearhead prop used by Captain Pike in "The Cage", also shown in the book, has RKO Pictures manufacturers marks / inventory marks stamped into the metal. Of course Lucy worked for RKO at one time and Desilu bought out RKO Pictures, acquiring their entire prop inventory. I have only seen evidence of just two spearheads of this shape ever being offered at auction - one by Profiles and one by Butterfield & Butterfield in the early / late '90s ... this is the B & B piece.






More phaser pics ...

Gerald,

First, Amazing photos! Thank you for posting them. I must say that I am surprised by you being surprised at this piece being accepted by the fourm; it's obviously the real deal!! I hope that gives some sort of indication that I (and others) really are only looking for the truth. I hope you feel more comfortable with the authenticity quest we are on regarding the comm (and any other purported TOS props).

I particularly love the last photo showing the original B&W style P1 meter outline that was obviously part of the mold. Very cool! A few more questions if I may. Is there a similar outline from the mold at the front window or is it only painted on? Also, is the diamond pattern the thin mylar? And one last question; does it look like the clear emitter tip has been broken off at some point?

Thanks again for posting the great photos. Strangely enough I already have all of these photos and many more from the same photo shoot in my database.

Bill, how did I get these and you don't? I'm surprised, lol. I have 33 Hi-Res photos from this shoot that show great detail. Now the question is where did they originate from??????

Here are a few more:

Many thanks, everyone!

These photos are selections from a much larger set of 33 different views that I first posted on my site in March of 2010. The whole set can be seen at: Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Authority: Special PhotoStudy: Star Trek The Original Series 3rd Season Midgrade Type II Phaser That's likely where Will's reference images, at some point, originated.

Regarding Will's questions. The front window appears to be just painted on without a built in groove. The entire area is perfectly smooth to the touch; while the P1 meter outline can be clearly felt - and is highly visible. It does almost look like there is the slightest hairline appearance of a window line at front along the right border of the black paint... but its not perfectly straight, has no feel to the fingertip and I think is likely just a scratch or paint stroke line remnant. There are some clear small scratches to the paint in the lower right region. Regarding the mylar, it does seem to be extremely thin and frail. Thicker than a single sheet of inkjet printer paper; but I believe not as thick as two sheets held together. The tip of the emitter feels perfectly smooth and rounded to the touch -- no jagged edges -- but it is not a perfectly symmetrical shape. It's very front surface is slightly convex, bulging out - the entire long shaft of the emitter seems a little bit longer lengthwise along the bottom edge when studying a side view of the shaft. I think perhaps it was created that way.

I also feel those embedded TOS tunic fibers in the velcro are cool! They aren't particularly noticeable at all when you handle the phaser and look at the velcro in person; but they do jump out at you when viewing that closeup hi-res photo. lol

Gerald

robn1 said:

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I've seen those phaser pics on your site Gerald, but I didn't realize you were the new owner. Congrats on the acquisition, it's a beautiful piece.

Many thanks, robn1. Yes, I took those photos for the post. That's my bedroom carpet as the background. You can also detect some slight contamination in the velcro along with the red, gold and blue fibers ... some white strands which I suspect might be white Pomeranian fur picked up from the carpet. That fur gets everywhere and it seems I'm always vacuuming and its always returning with great haste.

Here's the guilty party ...