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

[Captain Dunsel]

I should have delved into the email closer. My price would be $375k.

Can you post an image of this email?

 

[Stairstars]

I should have delved into the email closer. My price would be $375k.

Your offer is from the buyer being enrolled in the Make An Offer program which adds 50% to the price.

 

[Ronshanko]

The buyer contacted me.
He wishes to remain private.
He’s a well known and respected guy.
We exchanged phone numbers.
I really don’t have any smoking gun in the matter.
It could be an original phaser.
I’m wondering what if....(and this is more likely than not in my opinion)
Wah Chang loved Star Trek props so much he made himself a phaser from broken parts. (If you drop a fragile hero it breaks into lots of little pieces).
This would explain the inconsistencies in the puttied up P2.
With original parts mixed in
Wah’s relitives flocked like vultures picking up bones after his death and one got the P1 and one got the P2. This explains the separated units, but reunited again.
I love the Star Trek props so I have some around my place, why not Wah?
He had a phaser.
I bet he did.

Just a possibility and GJ saw it in person confirmed it is one. It could be the Lenore phaser fixed up after it smashed to pieces on the set floor.

 

[Apollo]

A lot of “ifs” in that theory and then there is those pesky interviews with Wah which he stated he had nothing from the series except for some “Monster” parts

 

[Duncanator]

The buyer contacted me.
He wishes to remain private.
He’s a well known and respected guy.
We exchanged phone numbers.
I really don’t have any smoking gun in the matter.
It could be an original phaser.
I’m wondering what if....(and this is more likely than not in my opinion)
Wah Chang loved Star Trek props so much he made himself a phaser from broken parts. (If you drop a fragile hero it breaks into lots of little pieces).
This would explain the inconsistencies in the puttied up P2.
With original parts mixed in
Wah’s relitives flocked like vultures picking up bones after his death and one got the P1 and one got the P2. This explains the separated units, but reunited again.
I love the Star Trek props so I have some around my place, why not Wah?
He had a phaser.
I bet he did.

Just a possibility and GJ saw it in person confirmed it is one. It could be the Lenore phaser fixed up after it smashed to pieces on the set floor.

That sounds conceivable, but why would he do such an awful job of painting it?

 

[genZOD]

The buyer contacted me.
He wishes to remain private.
He’s a well known and respected guy.
We exchanged phone numbers.
I really don’t have any smoking gun in the matter.
It could be an original phaser.
I’m wondering what if....(and this is more likely than not in my opinion)
Wah Chang loved Star Trek props so much he made himself a phaser from broken parts. (If you drop a fragile hero it breaks into lots of little pieces).
This would explain the inconsistencies in the puttied up P2.
With original parts mixed in
Wah’s relitives flocked like vultures picking up bones after his death and one got the P1 and one got the P2. This explains the separated units, but reunited again.
I love the Star Trek props so I have some around my place, why not Wah?
He had a phaser.
I bet he did.

Just a possibility and GJ saw it in person confirmed it is one. It could be the Lenore phaser fixed up after it smashed to pieces on the set floor.

I don’t think that the LOA for the P1 matches that scenario.

 

[Gregatron]

I don’t think that the LOA for the P1 matches that scenario.

I also think Mr. Shanko’s reputation precedes him.

 

[feek61]

The buyer contacted me.
He wishes to remain private.
He’s a well known and respected guy.
We exchanged phone numbers.
I really don’t have any smoking gun in the matter.
It could be an original phaser.
I’m wondering what if....(and this is more likely than not in my opinion)
Wah Chang loved Star Trek props so much he made himself a phaser from broken parts. (If you drop a fragile hero it breaks into lots of little pieces).
This would explain the inconsistencies in the puttied up P2.
With original parts mixed in
Wah’s relitives flocked like vultures picking up bones after his death and one got the P1 and one got the P2. This explains the separated units, but reunited again.
I love the Star Trek props so I have some around my place, why not Wah?
He had a phaser.
I bet he did.

Just a possibility and GJ saw it in person confirmed it is one. It could be the Lenore phaser fixed up after it smashed to pieces on the set floor.

No way, this makes any sense. This is just another way of trying to pass off a forgery as possibly real. Some are trying to find every conceivable way to make this thing authentic but why? This story does not explain so many of the new parts of this phaser like the ebay nozzles, non-yellowed acrylic, wrong velco, improper side dial placement, etc. This piece has no provenance, no paperwork confirming it's existance, no invoice from Wah, etc., Even if it was sent to be repaired (a fabricated story), it still does not match any of the real heros. I have read all of the production memos, read a ton about Justman and it is inconceivable that an expensive hero phaser would be sent for repairs and not returned, not invoiced and no paperwork at all on the fabrication of new heros or memos about it being sent off to be repaired. Trust me, there is nothing that would make me happier than to have a newly discovered hero phaser but this is not it. This is a forgery plain and simple! In addition, there were 4 heros made in case one or more got damaged, they would still have a hero or two for close-ups; they would not have commissioned more (and most likely not sent one off for repair) when they were not even needed.

 

[genZOD]

I also think Mr. Shanko’s reputation precedes him.

I’m not sure what was meant by that—but didn’t the separate LOAs states that the P1 walked off the set in season 2 & only the P2 was in Wah’s possession for repairs. I thought HA’s story was that these props we brought together for the auction. If I’m mistaken, that’s on me. All I’m saying is HA’s story didn’t seem to fit the proposed scenario.

 

[AnubisGuard]

The buyer contacted me.
He wishes to remain private.
He’s a well known and respected guy.
We exchanged phone numbers.
I really don’t have any smoking gun in the matter.
It could be an original phaser.
I’m wondering what if....(and this is more likely than not in my opinion)
Wah Chang loved Star Trek props so much he made himself a phaser from broken parts. (If you drop a fragile hero it breaks into lots of little pieces).
This would explain the inconsistencies in the puttied up P2.
With original parts mixed in
Wah’s relitives flocked like vultures picking up bones after his death and one got the P1 and one got the P2. This explains the separated units, but reunited again.
I love the Star Trek props so I have some around my place, why not Wah?
He had a phaser.
I bet he did.

Just a possibility and GJ saw it in person confirmed it is one. It could be the Lenore phaser fixed up after it smashed to pieces on the set floor.

So, wait. Previously you were pretty sure this was one of your phasers, and now that you've been privately contacted by the buyer you're making a 180 and are speculating on ways it could be real. Just like Herocomm?

What is it about this phaser that makes people change their minds absent any public evidence? What the heck is going on here?

 

[feek61]

What is it about this phaser that makes people change their minds absent any public evidence? What the heck is going on here?

Usually one of two things, threat of lawsuits or payoffs and I am sure both have happened in this case.

 

[GrenadeKing]

Indeed. There does seem to be some nefarious dealings going on behind the scenes.

There are non-destructive ways to test for bakelite, if the twist plug theory holds true. It would certainly help steer the investigation if it could be tested.

 

[Gregatron]

I’m not sure what was meant by that—but didn’t the separate LOAs states that the P1 walked off the set in season 2 & only the P2 was in Wah’s possession for repairs. I thought HA’s story was that these props we brought together for the auction. If I’m mistaken, that’s on me. All I’m saying is HA’s story didn’t seem to fit the proposed scenario.

It means that he has a reputation.

I’d be more inclined believe him if all of the people who were ripped off by him got what they’d commissioned.

I’m not sure what was meant by that—but didn’t the separate LOAs states that the P1 walked off the set in season 2 & only the P2 was in Wah’s possession for repairs. I thought HA’s story was that these props we brought together for the auction. If I’m mistaken, that’s on me. All I’m saying is HA’s story didn’t seem to fit the proposed scenario.

And, yes, the LoAs said that the P1 walked off the set, and the P2 was sent for repairs, but never returned, due to the show’s cancellation.

So, wait. Previously you were pretty sure this was one of your phasers, and now that you've been privately contacted by the buyer you're making a 180 and are speculating on ways it could be real. Just like Herocomm?

What is it about this phaser that makes people change their minds absent any public evidence? What the heck is going on here?

Also note that he showed up here only after the auction had ended.

 

[Apollo]

The BS just keeps going and going on this .

Pretty telling when those in “The Know” have to enlist neferious individuals whose Reps are crap but here we are!

 

[genZOD]

And, yes, the LoAs said that the P1 walked off the set, and the P2 was sent for repairs, but never returned, due to the show’s cancellation.

Got it. This whole situation is sad.

 

[Gregatron]

Got it. This whole situation is sad.

No kidding.

I have the sinking feeling that, due to the Franchise Apocalypse, STAR TREK slowly fading away and no longer possessing pop culture relevancy, and the old fans aging out, some ambitious parties decided to try and make a few last bucks by forging and selling a hero phaser. Shanko popping up out of the woodwork is also highly suspect, given his history of lying, cheating people, and being banned just about everywhere (Including here?).

 

[genZOD]

No kidding.

I have the sinking feeling that, due to the Franchise Apocalypse, STAR TREK slowly fading away and no longer possessing pop culture relevancy, and the old fans aging out, some ambitious parties decided to try and make a few last bucks by forging and selling a hero phaser. Shanko popping up out of the woodwork is also highly suspect, given his history of lying, cheating people, and being banned just about everywhere (Including here?).

Yeah, the last Trek thing I went to was several years ago. Even back then, I was just about the youngest person there & I’m nearly 50…

 

[Stairstars]

It would appear, then, we do have a real buyer, and from Mr Shanko's account of their conversation, that he is reported to be "a well known and respected guy", so I will assume he is aware of the issues and problems surrounding this piece and decided to invest in it regardless of the excellent images and discussions here. And, of course, he can obviously well afford the fare.

I think he will see the problems for the future, if he wishes to ever resell, and from the above related conversation, we can also see his arguments for authenticity - which are completely at odds with the Heritage account. Not a position I would want to be in for any amount of serious money. I have bought pieces that were either unknown or wrongly attributed, and with the proper proof and screen grabs, garnered a nice treasure - at least to me. I really do not see this becoming one of those....but I will stay tuned.

 

[Gregatron]

It would appear, then, we do have a real buyer, and from Mr Shanko's account of their conversation, that he is reported to be "a well known and respected guy", so I will assume he is aware of the issues and problems surrounding this piece and decided to invest in it regardless of the excellent images and discussions here. And, of course, he can obviously well afford the fare.

I think he will see the problems for the future, if he wishes to ever resell, and from the above related conversation, we can also see his arguments for authenticity - which are completely at odds with the Heritage account. Not a position I would want to be in for any amount of serious money. I have bought pieces that were either unknown or wrongly attributed, and with the proper proof and screen grabs, garnered a nice treasure - at least to me. I really do not see this becoming one of those....but I will stay tuned.

The existence of the buyer may be easier to prove than Mr. Shanko’s supposed communications with them. I find it all…highly dubious. Popping up out of the woodwork after the auction’s end and claiming to have had inside access to the auction piece AND communications with the buyer. Um…sure.

HeroComm’s reputation will REALLY take a hit if Mr. Shanko is one of the “experts” whose opinion they’ve bet upon.

Or maybe he just wants some attention.

 

[Apollo]

The existence of the buyer may be easier to prove than Mr. Shanko’s supposed communications with them. I find it all…highly dubious. Popping up out of the woodwork after the auction’s end and claiming to have had inside access to the auction piece AND communications with the buyer. Um…sure.

HeroComm’s reputation will REALLY take a hit if Mr. Shanko is one of the “experts” whose option they’ve bet upon.

Or maybe he just wants some attention.

Looks like he is looking for sales in the Rudolph thread...