Julien’s Upcoming Hero Phaser & Communicator Auction
- Thread starter ghostryder
- Start date
Which one is that?
This weekend, I was working on restoring my Beta communicator build (I had to replace the stopwatch, replace the lower moire pattern disc, rework the aluminum control panel plate, and replace the T-Jet hubs and jewels) and have been pouring over the new batch of photos, yet again…
I have to say, whether it is accurate to the original prop, or not, John Long’s decision to use this design for the restored brass stopwatch winding stem (with a flat head screw installed for ease of winding) is absolutely genius:
I have to say, whether it is accurate to the original prop, or not, John Long’s decision to use this design for the restored brass stopwatch winding stem (with a flat head screw installed for ease of winding) is absolutely genius:
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Agreed. Amazing how much work Wah and the Desilu prop shop put into the original “Landing Party” Hero Comms, Phasers, and Tricorders…unprecedented for the time and they received amazingly little to no screen time.
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asalaw
Master Member
Well, that's the story of a prop maker's life (and set decorator's, for that matter).
‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Director’s Edition’ Screening, Show Memorabilia Auction Set To Cap Off Infinity Festival
Captain James T. Kirk's "phaser and communicator" used during the production of the original Star Trek will be among the items auctioned off during a special event closing next month's Infinity Festival.
deadline.com
That is a bummer, if true. MOPOP was the only place to publicly see these items. If they sell them off, who knows when they will be seen again?
feek61
Sr Member
I agree with your take on Justman’s comments.
To further support your opinion, Justman describes the studio prop department delivering only one “barely acceptable” functional hero…whereas we know the studio made 4 fully functional Hero Phaser IIs.
The “barely acceptable” hero may refer to one of the two hero lasers from The Cage (either the non-extending Jein hero or the other, extending model hero…perhaps the extending model was the true “hero”):
If so…I also have to humbly disagree with Justman, here. I have always loved the “Cage Lasers”…very unique and imaginative pieces, as far as I’m concerned.
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
The lasers have grown on me over the years for sure, and I think better photos and better replicas have helped. Until you can really see the actual level of detail the laser pistol seemed awfully plain...
Hmmmmmm….
The “E 48” number that is carved into the back of the Beta communicator…
…is very similar to the “E 11” number that is carved into the handle of the “Stratosian Weapon” from the Anonymous West Coast Collector’s pieces…
Either this was part of the studio inventory-keeping system (I doubt they would carve into these pieces) or, these pieces were once held in the same collection by a private individual, at one point after the series wrapped, who carved these numbers into the pieces.
Thoughts?
The “E 48” number that is carved into the back of the Beta communicator…
…is very similar to the “E 11” number that is carved into the handle of the “Stratosian Weapon” from the Anonymous West Coast Collector’s pieces…
Either this was part of the studio inventory-keeping system (I doubt they would carve into these pieces) or, these pieces were once held in the same collection by a private individual, at one point after the series wrapped, who carved these numbers into the pieces.
Thoughts?
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The back of the communicator would usually be covered with velcro, but that one shows no sign of it ever being there.
drusselmeyer
Master Member
Can you really ever be a beta hero?
I believe you’re correct.
That would mean that Beta, Alpha, the Finney, McCoy’s scanner, etc. were all originally at the same memorabilia shop, but likely purchased by different owners.
The story may be found here:
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