Alleged Screen Used Hero TOS Phaser up for auction (now the aftermath)

[Gregatron]

To be clear, I’m not throwing those in the know under the bus, here. I’m just saying that, based on the publicly-available information, I do not see the burden of proof being met. Maybe there IS smoking-gun evidence that Mr. Jein, HeroComm, and the others are privy to. But, none of it has been made public, and this is a PUBLIC AUCTION.

Asking six figures for an what is ostensibly an iconic, ultra-rare prop based solely on reputations and faith is simply not enough.

 

[genZOD]

To be clear, I’m not throwing those in the know under the bus, here. I’m just saying that, based on the publicly-available information, I do not see the burden of proof being met. Maybe there IS smoking-gun evidence that Mr. Jein, HeroComm, and the others are privy to. But, none of it has been made public, and this is a PUBLIC AUCTION.

Asking six figures for an what is ostensibly an iconic, ultra-rare prop based solely on reputations and faith is simply not enough.

Completely agree. This prop’s value is 100% it’s history as a screen used prop. The more convincing the story the more it’s worth. With no evidence provided, it’s really hard to give it a six figure value. Like I said earlier in this thread: if I built this prop is worth a few hundred, maybe 1-2 thousand if someone famous built it. If it’s real, then it’s probably worth way more than 100k.

 

[USS Endeav]

It may very well be the cynic in me but, I wouldn't put it past Heritage to shill their own lot. When backed into a corner, people do the damnedest of things.

 

[Trebor]

Everyone keeps talking about "The smoking gun" to prove/disprove the authenticity.

There's:
The inlet side rail.
The modern velcro.
The non-yellowed acrylic.
The commercially available replica nozzle.

There's also the possibility that the handle baseplate is also a commercially available replica. And the handle size and shape.

This thing has more smoking guns than the Earps in "Spectre of the Gun."

 

[Jintosh]

Everyone keeps talking about "The smoking gun" to prove/disprove the authenticity.

There's:
The inlet side rail.
The modern velcro.
The non-yellowed acrylic.
The commercially available replica nozzle.

There's also the possibility that the handle baseplate is also a commercially available replica. And the handle size and shape.

This thing has more smoking guns than the Earps in "Spectre of the Gun."

Correct.

 

[ghostryder]

Were there ANY pre-auction press releases or articles to generate excitement and shine a light on this find?

 

[Apollo]

To be clear, I’m not throwing those in the know under the bus, here. I’m just saying that, based on the publicly-available information, I do not see the burden of proof being met. Maybe there IS smoking-gun evidence that Mr. Jein, HeroComm, and the others are privy to. But, none of it has been made public, and this is a PUBLIC AUCTION.

Asking six figures for an what is ostensibly an iconic, ultra-rare prop based solely on reputations and faith is simply not enough.

That and the many discrepancies pointed out here is why I have concluded it is fake

 

[Karstein]

It may very well be the cynic in me but, I wouldn't put it past Heritage to shill their own lot. When backed into a corner, people do the damnedest of things.

From their T&Cs:

17. Lots bearing bidding estimates shall open at Auctioneer’s discretion (generally 40%-60% of the low estimate). In the event that no bid meets or exceeds that opening amount, the lot shall pass as unsold or the Auctioneer may place a protective bid on behalf of the consignor.

21. The Auctioneer, its affiliates, or their employees consign items to be sold in the Auction, and may bid on those lots or any other lots.

 

[feek61]

Everyone keeps talking about "The smoking gun" to prove/disprove the authenticity.

There's:
The inlet side rail.
The modern velcro.
The non-yellowed acrylic.
The commercially available replica nozzle.

There's also the possibility that the handle baseplate is also a commercially available replica. And the handle size and shape.

This thing has more smoking guns than the Earps in "Spectre of the Gun."

Not to mention paperwork that confirms only 4 heros existed; all of which have been identified on screen . . . but this forgery is not one of them.

 

[genZOD]

Not to mention paperwork that confirms only 4 heros existed; all of which have been identified on screen . . . but this forgery is not one of them.

I know that GJ says that 6 were made. Like you said, the paperwork indicates four & only four unique hero phasers have been identified in closeups & set photos. New information does come to light from time to time, but… AFAIK nobody has come forward to screen match this prop to any footage from the show.

 

[Jintosh]

I know that GJ says that 6 were made. Like you said, the paperwork indicates four & only four unique hero phasers have been identified in closeups & set photos. New information does come to light from time to time, but… AFAIK nobody has come forward to screen match this prop to any footage from the show.

wow. I missed this idea. Those 3 lines along the side of the P2 that clearly stick up higher at the front corner than other phasers ? You might see that more easily in even a wider shot during the show. There's only 79 episodes of TOS, at the beginning of this, I could have fast forwarded through 79 episodes to every time they show a P2 phaser and compared EVERY phaser in the show to eliminate this as a possibility.

 

[joberg]

Eventually, for all of us...

Ah yes...Death: the only perfection in this World

 

[Jintosh]

Ah yes...Death: the only perfection in this World

I love Death in "The Last Action Hero".

 

[USS Endeav]

From their T&Cs:

17. Lots bearing bidding estimates shall open at Auctioneer’s discretion (generally 40%-60% of the low estimate). In the event that no bid meets or exceeds that opening amount, the lot shall pass as unsold or the Auctioneer may place a protective bid on behalf of the consignor.

21. The Auctioneer, its affiliates, or their employees consign items to be sold in the Auction, and may bid on those lots or any other lots.

Okay, that does surprise me. That it is part of a stated policy.

 

[genZOD]

wow. I missed this idea. Those 3 lines along the side of the P2 that clearly stick up higher at the front corner than other phasers ? You might see that more easily in even a wider shot during the show. There's only 79 episodes of TOS, at the beginning of this, I could have fast forwarded through 79 episodes to every time they show a P2 phaser and compared EVERY phaser in the show to eliminate this as a possibility.

...and the lower side dial.

I did look through a few of the more obvious stills & didn't see a match. I didn't spend much time on it -- but I'm also not trying to sell the thing for over 100K.

 

[Jintosh]

Okay, that does surprise me. That it is part of a stated policy.

I've seen some TV auctions, and only a couple of live ones. This plays out like this, usually.

"Do I have a bid?"
"Let's get this started."
"Any bid?"
"okay, let's start the bidding at $60,000."

Nobody bid $60,000...so in effect, the auctioneer is saying, hey, this is worth at least $60,000, so I'm bidding this. It doesn't mean that I get the item. By the auctioneer bidding $60,000 the item will not sell for less. It is simply like a reserve but not one.

Since it's in writing, it can play out differently, but this is really for the aforementioned situation, although it might be used differently in real life.

 

[Duncanator]

From their T&Cs:

17. Lots bearing bidding estimates shall open at Auctioneer’s discretion (generally 40%-60% of the low estimate). In the event that no bid meets or exceeds that opening amount, the lot shall pass as unsold or the Auctioneer may place a protective bid on behalf of the consignor.

21. The Auctioneer, its affiliates, or their employees consign items to be sold in the Auction, and may bid on those lots or any other lots.

What in the heck is a "protective bid"?

It sounds like a trick to artificially inflate the price, or to "save face" if no one bids by having a fake "sale".
Sounds a little dodgy to me.

 

[Jintosh]

What in the heck is a "protective bid"?

It sounds like a trick to artificially inflate the price, or to "save face" if no one bids by having a fake "sale".
Sounds a little dodgy to me.

You posted just after me. It's in my previous message. A reserve without being a reserve by the seller. It's a reserve (minimum bid) by the auctioneer.

 

[Duncanator]

You posted just after me. It's in my previous message. A reserve without being a reserve by the seller. It's a reserve (minimum bid) by the auctioneer.

Ah, timing...

Still sounds dodgy.

 

[Jintosh]

Ah, timing...

Still sounds dodgy.

Yes....but I've seen enough auctions to know that it is widely used for the opening bid. Using after the first bid (the $60,000 in this case) would be less tolerable, but not against the rules as stated, as far as I can see.
It's really is a auction house reserve, at their discretion.