Indiana Jones - 'Real World' Props

[Remote People]

Let us know if he comes back. Remember those shops... there used to be a good one in the west 20s. May end up making one with an Edwardian magnifier:

 

[VonMagnum]

I just ordered this off eBay (searched under "Magnifying Glass Stand"). There's another on there right now too, but they want a LOT more for it. I got this one for less than half its price. I can use one for working on lighters that I collect. It looks like the end balance weight is rounded instead of flat, but otherwise looks more or less the same.

 

[Liberance]

I just ordered this off eBay (searched under "Magnifying Glass Stand"). There's another on there right now too, but they want a LOT more for it. I got this one for less than half its price. I can use one for working on lighters that I collect. It looks like the end balance weight is rounded instead of flat, but otherwise looks more or less the same.

Yeah, that model seems a bit easier to find and it's really close. The only differences are, other than the weight, the notches on the handle, gap between that and the glass, and the third adjustment screw (not visible in the photo, but if it's the model I believe it is that may be missing). So pretty much the same thing.

 

[VonMagnum]

The magnifying lens/stand arrived today. I guess I'll keep it near the bookcase display (I have a Landron Sankara stone hidden in the corners of the room since the movie claimed there were originally "5" stones (so 3 on the bookcase from the movie that light up with a remote control via "MIMIC" stones) and 2 more not-so-hidden in the room representing the other two. I thought I'd put the lens where it magnifies one of them when you look through it. I think it looks kind of cool. And if I need to use it for a project to actually magnify something hands-free, I just go downstairs and take it with me.

 

[Liberance]

I did the same thing. Turned the thing down and placed it over an artifact. Works great, especially if they're smaller round items that get framed perfectly in the glass:

It may not be the most important prop in the movies, but it's definitely a cool addition for display purposes.

I still didn't hear back from the New York antique store, so I doubt they'll ever reply. I did ask the guy who sold it on eBay, but he wasn't sure what the glass origins may be. He said he bought it at a estate auction in Indiana, of all places.

 

[VonMagnum]

I did the same thing. Turned the thing down and placed it over an artifact. Works great, especially if they're smaller round items that get framed perfectly in the glass:

View attachment 1351367

It may not be the most important prop in the movies, but it's definitely a cool addition for display purposes.

I still didn't hear back from the New York antique store, so I doubt they'll ever reply. I did ask the guy who sold it on eBay, but he wasn't sure what the glass origins may be. He said he bought at a estate auction in Indiana, of all places.

Yeah, there's no markings on it (for brand/maker) at all here either. The counter-weight looks removable so if I had a rectangular version, I think I could switch it out easy enough. The medallion magnifying is a neat idea. My bookshelf can't handle an item that large and my other shelf with the Ark is already full, so I went with the Landron Sankara stone as it's sitting out by itself. Maybe one of those gold coins from the Temple of Doom would be neat to show? (seeing how small they are and I have many of them).

 

[Pascal Kurosawa]

on the school desk from crystal skull...

Any idea what this big white book could be?

here my own desk:

 

[Liberance]

on the school desk from crystal skull...

Any idea what this big white book could be?

What are the skinny ones on top and under The Mysterious North?

 

[Pascal Kurosawa]

What are the skinny ones on top and under The Mysterious North?

no text on it - so it can be everything

 

[VonMagnum]

My Verner's Compass (US Engineer Corps Marked Made by C-E in 1918) has arrived (I believe it's the same Verners style as the one cut from Raiders and was in Young Indiana Jones, although many makers made them over the years). I got a great deal on it with Mercari (eBay wanted over $150-300 on average). I paid $72 with tax delivered for this one (fair to good shape) that's fully working (takes awhile to stop moving once the lock is released, though. I don't know if used to be liquid filled or not, but it agrees with my Boy Scout Compass on where North is (well actually the Boyscout compass is polar reversed for some odd reason as "N" points South and South points North; I found it near some bushes in a graveyard when I was a kid; it had liquid in it then, but has since evaporated and also takes awhile to slow down; I have no idea how it became reverse magnetized) and the Verner's even came with the original leather carrying case (fair condition) which most of the $150 range ones on eBay did not. It's not marked on the top the version, but by the controls as described on a site about them along with its manufacturing year, it would appear to be a Mark VIII.

 

[kevin926]

How large or small, lol. Would the antidote bottle from Loache club obiwan scene be? That should be considered a real world part.

 

[Pascal Kurosawa]

That should be considered a real world part.

not in my definition: I think it was way to much modified to fit in this category.

But to answer your question: You can find a lot of screenshots where H. Ford is holding the flask in his own standard sized hands.

 

[kevin926]

not in my definition: I think it was way to much modified to fit in this category.

But to answer your question: You can find a lot of screenshots where H. Ford is holding the flask in his own standard sized hands.

Its a decorated real bottle. Not a milled or sculpted cast piece. That's why I felt it to be a real world part. I would Like to make or should I say decorate my own bottle.

 

[Liberance]

Its a decorated real bottle. Not a milled or sculpted cast piece. That's why I felt it to be a real world part. I would Like to make or should I say decorate my own bottle.

To Pascal's point, many props in movies use a real world object as a starting point. Should Han Solo's blaster be considered something out of the real world because its core is a Mauser pistol? At that point it becomes a conversation about prop replicating rather than simply finding a regular item that was featured in the film as is, which I believe was the goal of this thread.

That said, I don't know about the origins of Lao Che's vial personally. If anyone here does, I'm sure they'll let you know.

 

[Soloruben]

Agree with you completely. The original, century old Verner's pattern compasses are very well made and pretty neat in their own right. They were mostly made in the UK by Barker, then private labelled to individual retailers.

Ed. Koehn is one of the exceptions. They were made in Switzerland by a company that also provided parts to Patek Phillipe watches. They're a cut above in quality.

We don't know the year or mark used in the film unless a close up continuity shot exists that we've never seen.

In terms of originality and condition, they were all blackened chemically with some details and the engraved cardinal points (numbers on the outside) covered in French lacquer. Steer clear of any that have been "helpfully" brightly shined or cleaned up. They aren't worth much to collectors as this original finish is what makes them valuable. Plus details are often unhelpfully polished away by inexperienced owners.

Look for the best condition you can afford as missing parts and glass windows are not easily replaced. Refinishing is very difficult while Raiders production photos clearly show the black finish intact.

Be sure to look for dry card compasses (not liquid filled with kerosene as any leaks are a health hazard and the insides have often rotted) and they are thicker and non-screen accurate.

There is a transit lock on the side which prevents the compass card from turning. Some sellers believe their compasses are broken when in fact the lock is simply on. In general a Verner's pattern usually never fails to function unless they are repeatedly dropped or mishandled. See page 227 of this book for a short background. Some more in the descriptions here and again here. Hope this helps.

Hi,
I see that some of you own very nice compasess of the same type appeared in the film. To be honest, they are very beautiful pieces and complement very well the rest of the props.
I have read that these compasses (the same happened to some old watches), made use of "radium" to make the devices readables in the dark. This radioactive material was very popular in the first half of the century and little by little it was substituted by some other less harmful materials over the years. Do you think it is really something to take into account when buying one? Is it really dangerous if you keep it just over a shelf, for example? Should it be stored in a box which could avoid this small radiation flowing freely? Maybe everything that I'm saying is just a nonsense (I'm not a doctor nor a scientist who would really know about this issue). It just happens to make me wonder... Sometimes being not educated in something makes oneself to take bad decisions. Does anyone know if there is not a real problem with it? Thank you.

 

[MAKE BELIEVE]

Fantastic thread.
Thank you all

 

[VonMagnum]

Hi,
I see that some of you own very nice compasess of the same type appeared in the film. To be honest, they are very beautiful pieces and complement very well the rest of the props.
I have read that these compasses (the same happened to some old watches), made use of "radium" to make the devices readables in the dark. This radioactive material was very popular in the first half of the century and little by little it was substituted by some other less harmful materials over the years. Do you think it is really something to take into account when buying one? Is it really dangerous if you keep it just over a shelf, for example? Should it be stored in a box which could avoid this small radiation flowing freely? Maybe everything that I'm saying is just a nonsense (I'm not a doctor nor a scientist who would really know about this issue). It just happens to make me wonder... Sometimes being not educated in something makes oneself to take bad decisions. Does anyone know if there is not a real problem with it? Thank you.

There may be some versions that have radium, but I'm under the impression most years do not. I see no evidence of radioactive paint on mine. I think the compass card is very reflective and makes very good use of low light, but it doesn't glow in the dark here.

 

[Remote People]

Hi,
I see that some of you own very nice compasess of the same type appeared in the film. To be honest, they are very beautiful pieces and complement very well the rest of the props.
I have read that these compasses (the same happened to some old watches), made use of "radium" to make the devices readables in the dark. This radioactive material was very popular in the first half of the century and little by little it was substituted by some other less harmful materials over the years. Do you think it is really something to take into account when buying one? Is it really dangerous if you keep it just over a shelf, for example? Should it be stored in a box which could avoid this small radiation flowing freely? Maybe everything that I'm saying is just a nonsense (I'm not a doctor nor a scientist who would really know about this issue). It just happens to make me wonder... Sometimes being not educated in something makes oneself to take bad decisions. Does anyone know if there is not a real problem with it? Thank you.

Three points to consider:

1) Verner's compasses used two different kinds of night time illumination, the first fluoresced a bluish colour when expose to bright light and was not harmful. This was used until about 1912/13. Here is what an early (and safer) compass card looks like:

2) Later style compasses contained radium 226 and should be be treated with respect. That means do not take them apart and keep them inside an air proof box when not handling them (they emit traces of radon gas which may or may not build up depending where you store yours).

3) Finally read some of the research and this report on WWII aircraft instruments displayed at the Smithsonian (which contain a lot more radium than any Verner's compass), then decide for yourself how cautious you wish to be. Keep in mind that on one hand many, many servicemen carried these for years without ill effects and on the other, radium 226 particles inhaled are very bad indeed for your health.

 

[VonMagnum]

So my Indiana Jones display is now radioactive? I guess I missed the warning section on collecting antique Verners compasses. Given I have no idea how it was handled, whether any paint might have turned to dust inside, etc., I really don't know what to think. There's not much point to having it if I can't display it and I don't know if I want to display it if it's a health risk. I've seen mixed advice online from don't worry about it just for display to anything with any amount of radium in it is dangerous and not worth the risk.

Did all the compasses after 1913 use radium paint? I just tried looking at the compass in total darkness and there's not a hint of a glow from the dial.

 

[Jamesfett]

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My compass is dangerous. Are you friggin kidding me. 2020 sucks!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got the dumb, accurate thing.

Screw it. Bring on the radiation.