Your Indiana Jones Displays - Lets see 'em

[mikesprops]

Great layout. I’m curious to know more about the architecture book, as well as the Kings & Queens book.

Okay awesome. So, the Kings & Queens book is called "Kings & Queens of England 1066 - 1935." I picked it up at a boot sale some years ago because I thought it was cool, it's got paintings of each monarch between those years in it as well as a brief biography. It looks like it was a promotional book given away with Players Navy Cut Tobacco in 1935.

Edit: Oh! It's a complete album of cigarette cards, I guess someone collected all the kings and queens and stuck them in the book in the 1930s.

There's several on eBayUK at the minute if you're interested, the listings also have more photos so you can have a closer look Here's a link to one in really good condition:

Kings & Queens of England

The architecture book is one of the books used as an original source book by Kier Ludsby for the creation of the Grail Diary. Which are cool things to own and I happen to own copies of all the known ones. It's called A History Of Architecture On The Comparative Method - Sir Banister Fletcher it's from about 1909 I think. They aren't too difficult to find, again on eBay. I've actually already made a post that lists all the source books which is here:

Grail Diary

Hi RPF team! I am new here and currently looking to create my own grail diary from scratch. I intend to had write the appropriate pages and recreate as much as I can (using my design skills such as they are). I would be really grateful if anyone who has done this themselves can offer any advice...

www.therpf.com

Thanks for asking! Hope that helps

Just a small bonus fact about the stuff on the desk in the photo. The black fountain pen is a Conway Stewart 58, which is the same pen that Henry Jones Snr uses to squirt a nazi in the face with ink in the tank scene in Last Crusade. (And one I found in my grandad's writing desk!)

 

[Darthbauer]

Recently got this horse that came with a Batman figure. Always wanted to display an Indy figure like this. Repainted the base to a desert look.

 

[OasisSupernova]

Anybody have any info / parts lost on how to make the necklace to the compass from DoD?

 

[IceDog]

Just added the Temple Guard Dagger from Regal Robot to the collection RR never fails to impress

 

[mikesprops]

I temporarily have two Holt Grail Diaries on my desk which is an awesome thing.

 

[Liberance]

I recently finished organizing all my Indy props together for the first time ever after years of collecting, as part of a new home office, so I figured why not share it here and join everyone else.

A while back I started giving myself some rules so this wouldn't get out of hand, and I think I'm pretty much done with all the stuff I wanted to have on display. I settled for the four Spielberg films, leaving out the Young Indiana Jones series (which I like, although it doesn't feature many interesting props) or the fifth movie (which I don't like, but the prop design work in it is cool). That cabinet can be configured to have five shelves, so I could always change my mind in the future, but I think the spacing works best as it is now.

There are still a couple of items I'd add—like the Mask of Orellana or Henry Jones' pocket watch, but overall what's there is mostly all I wanted. The Grail Tablet would be nice, but I don't really have room for it. I also chose not to display some stuff I do have like Belloq's wine bottle, Indy's college desk objects (which I still mixed in with other stuff around the room) or duplicates like the non-lighted Sankara Stones and the Imam's headpiece for immersion's sake and in order to keep it tidy.

The cabinet is custom-made by a carpenter friend. Funnily, when I asked him to do this I didn't know he actually knows the movies quite well and likes Harrison Ford because he used to be a carpenter.

That giant beetle package on the Temple shelf does have a beetle inside, but I liked the wrapping so much when I got it that I decided to leave it as is. Most people also display the antidote vial full of blue liquid, but my crazy person reasoning is that Indy drank it, so it should be empty!

I have many paper props I collected over the years with the intention of displaying them as set dressing. Some eventually made it to the shelves, and some didn't. I can't stress enough how important I think it is to add that sort of stuff in order to elevate and contextualize the main props.

The Crystal Skull shelf was a tricky one, considering the skull is massive and the film lacks a small prologue artifact. That folder under all the other stuff is Spalko's FBI file, which at first thought could've been open in the background. It looked awkward though, so as much as I like the prop, I eventually went for a collection of newspaper cutouts from the Roswell incident to signify the film's backstory.

I should probably remove that eraser from the—actually vintage—Raiders pencil. I also had a bunch of things custom-framed and I probably could do the same with Indy's childhood photo, but I liked the patina and shape in that insert from the UK limited edition BluRay, so for now it's staying like that (sometimes, secondary props can be as simple as a BluRay insert if the look is right).

On special occasions, I turn on the Sankara Stones and they really make the whole display pop. I'm thinking about adding lights to the shelves themselves, but taking everything out to make room for the cables sounds like such a headache that I may end up leaving it be. Doesn't look half bad without them anyway and the sun rays that come in the morning bounce off some Kaminski highlights that light up everything just enough.

And that's that. Hope anything in there gave some fresh ideas to people looking to set up or update their own collection. I think it's pretty fun to organize this stuff and find whatever look is right for you.

Merry Christmas and happy new year everyone.

 

[13doctorwho]

I have a very meager collection, but I really like it. The Spear Of Destiny (and case) and the Cthulhu were made by me. Note: The Spear Of Destiny was built before Dial Of Destiny... it became an Indy prop after!! The Cthulhu statue isn't an Indy prop, but as an archeological replica I thought it fit, regardless. The Cross Of Coronado and the Headpiece To The Staff Of Ra were bought on this forum. Now I need something from Temple Of Doom and Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull!!

 

[mathew]

I recently finished organizing all my Indy props together for the first time ever after years of collecting, as part of a new home office, so I figured why not share it here and join everyone else.

View attachment 1892028

A while back I started giving myself some rules so this wouldn't get out of hand, and I think I'm pretty much done with all the stuff I wanted to have on display. I settled for the four Spielberg films, leaving out the Young Indiana Jones series (which I like, although it doesn't feature many interesting props) or the fifth movie (which I don't like, but the prop design work in it is cool). That cabinet can be configured to have five shelves, so I could always change my mind in the future, but I think the spacing works best as it is now.

Really beautiful display; very elegant. I think setting boundaries worked out well. It highlights your pieces instead of swamping them. And of course the desk pieces loan itself well to being... on a desk.
It is also nice to see your level in its proper place.

 

[mrwax]

I recently finished organizing all my Indy props together for the first time ever after years of collecting, as part of a new home office, so I figured why not share it here and join everyone else.

View attachment 1892028

A while back I started giving myself some rules so this wouldn't get out of hand, and I think I'm pretty much done with all the stuff I wanted to have on display. I settled for the four Spielberg films, leaving out the Young Indiana Jones series (which I like, although it doesn't feature many interesting props) or the fifth movie (which I don't like, but the prop design work in it is cool). That cabinet can be configured to have five shelves, so I could always change my mind in the future, but I think the spacing works best as it is now.

There are still a couple of items I'd add—like the Mask of Orellana or Henry Jones' pocket watch, but overall what's there is mostly all I wanted. The Grail Tablet would be nice, but I don't really have room for it. I also chose not to display some stuff I do have like Belloq's wine bottle, Indy's college desk objects (which I still mixed in with other stuff around the room) or duplicates like the non-lighted Sankara Stones and the Imam's headpiece for immersion's sake and in order to keep it tidy.

View attachment 1892032

The cabinet is custom-made by a carpenter friend. Funnily, when I asked him to do this I didn't know he actually knows the movies quite well and likes Harrison Ford because he used to be a carpenter.

View attachment 1892033

That giant beetle package on the Temple shelf does have a beetle inside, but I liked the wrapping so much when I got it that I decided to leave it as is. Most people also display the antidote vial full of blue liquid, but my crazy person reasoning is that Indy drank it, so it should be empty!

View attachment 1892034

I have many paper props I collected over the years with the intention of displaying them as set dressing. Some eventually made it to the shelves, and some didn't. I can't stress enough how important I think it is to add that sort of stuff in order to elevate and contextualize the main props.

View attachment 1892035

The Crystal Skull shelf was a tricky one, considering the skull is massive and the film lacks a small prologue artifact. That folder under all the other stuff is Spalko's FBI file, which at first thought could've been open in the background. It looked awkward though, so as much as I like the prop, I eventually went for a collection of newspaper cutouts from the Roswell incident to signify the film's backstory.

View attachment 1892036

View attachment 1892037

I should probably remove that eraser from the—actually vintage—Raiders pencil. I also had a bunch of things custom-framed and I probably could do the same with Indy's childhood photo, but I liked the patina and shape in that insert from the UK limited edition BluRay, so for now it's staying like that (sometimes, secondary props can be as simple as a BluRay insert if the look is right).

View attachment 1892039

View attachment 1892038

On special occasions, I turn on the Sankara Stones and they really make the whole display pop. I'm thinking about adding lights to the shelves themselves, but taking everything out to make room for the cables sounds like such a headache that I may end up leaving it be. Doesn't look half bad without them anyway and the sun rays that come in the morning bounce off some Kaminski highlights that light up everything just enough.

And that's that. Hope anything in there gave some fresh ideas to people looking to set up or update their own collection. I think it's pretty fun to organize this stuff and find whatever look is right for you.

Merry Christmas and happy new year everyone.

I'm really getting cabinet envy, maybe 2025 will be my year. Brilliant collection!

I have a very meager collection, but I really like it. The Spear Of Destiny (and case) and the Cthulhu were made by me. Note: The Spear Of Destiny was built before Dial Of Destiny... it became an Indy prop after!! The Cthulhu statue isn't an Indy prop, but as an archeological replica I thought it fit, regardless. The Cross Of Coronado and the Headpiece To The Staff Of Ra were bought on this forum. Now I need something from Temple Of Doom and Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull!!

View attachment 1892049

Lovely set of artifacts! I'm particularly impressed with the Spear of Destiny, great job, and I'm curious about what general techniques and materials you used.

 

[13doctorwho]

mrwax I have a thread on here showing the build process. Here is a link Spear Of Destiny Build

Thank you for the kind words!!

 

[RaidersLight]

I really liked the way Liberance's collection was displayed. Very well balanced thinking more about what looks good, with coherence, than just accumulating.

 

[JamesM242]

Liberance - outstanding work on pulling your display together! Very inspiring!

 

[OasisSupernova]

I recently finished organizing all my Indy props together for the first time ever after years of collecting, as part of a new home office, so I figured why not share it here and join everyone else.

View attachment 1892028

A while back I started giving myself some rules so this wouldn't get out of hand, and I think I'm pretty much done with all the stuff I wanted to have on display. I settled for the four Spielberg films, leaving out the Young Indiana Jones series (which I like, although it doesn't feature many interesting props) or the fifth movie (which I don't like, but the prop design work in it is cool). That cabinet can be configured to have five shelves, so I could always change my mind in the future, but I think the spacing works best as it is now.

There are still a couple of items I'd add—like the Mask of Orellana or Henry Jones' pocket watch, but overall what's there is mostly all I wanted. The Grail Tablet would be nice, but I don't really have room for it. I also chose not to display some stuff I do have like Belloq's wine bottle, Indy's college desk objects (which I still mixed in with other stuff around the room) or duplicates like the non-lighted Sankara Stones and the Imam's headpiece for immersion's sake and in order to keep it tidy.

View attachment 1892032

The cabinet is custom-made by a carpenter friend. Funnily, when I asked him to do this I didn't know he actually knows the movies quite well and likes Harrison Ford because he used to be a carpenter.

View attachment 1892033

That giant beetle package on the Temple shelf does have a beetle inside, but I liked the wrapping so much when I got it that I decided to leave it as is. Most people also display the antidote vial full of blue liquid, but my crazy person reasoning is that Indy drank it, so it should be empty!

View attachment 1892034

I have many paper props I collected over the years with the intention of displaying them as set dressing. Some eventually made it to the shelves, and some didn't. I can't stress enough how important I think it is to add that sort of stuff in order to elevate and contextualize the main props.

View attachment 1892035

The Crystal Skull shelf was a tricky one, considering the skull is massive and the film lacks a small prologue artifact. That folder under all the other stuff is Spalko's FBI file, which at first thought could've been open in the background. It looked awkward though, so as much as I like the prop, I eventually went for a collection of newspaper cutouts from the Roswell incident to signify the film's backstory.

View attachment 1892036

View attachment 1892037

I should probably remove that eraser from the—actually vintage—Raiders pencil. I also had a bunch of things custom-framed and I probably could do the same with Indy's childhood photo, but I liked the patina and shape in that insert from the UK limited edition BluRay, so for now it's staying like that (sometimes, secondary props can be as simple as a BluRay insert if the look is right).

View attachment 1892039

View attachment 1892038

On special occasions, I turn on the Sankara Stones and they really make the whole display pop. I'm thinking about adding lights to the shelves themselves, but taking everything out to make room for the cables sounds like such a headache that I may end up leaving it be. Doesn't look half bad without them anyway and the sun rays that come in the morning bounce off some Kaminski highlights that light up everything just enough.

And that's that. Hope anything in there gave some fresh ideas to people looking to set up or update their own collection. I think it's pretty fun to organize this stuff and find whatever look is right for you.

Merry Christmas and happy new year everyone.

Yep! This is pretty badass. Especially with the.small attention to details like the bag over the crystal skull. I went with the black netting seen in the jungle. Lol. The clipboard. The small stand for Belloq pocket watch. All awesome as hell! Bravo. PS. I need those sankara stones. Lol.

 

[rogerpir]

Wow, some really amazing Indy displays! Awesome to see. Inspired me to get off my rear and post some of my display. I had posted before but added quite a bit. Mine is set in 1941 and includes not only the movies but also the comics, video games, and books that would be pre 1942. So if your not familiar with the comics, video games,etc then you may not get some of the references. The biggest addition was a real Webley WG army originally bought in 1901 and a 1944 no.2 mark 1 Canadien inglis Hi-power same as in the movies. The webley was the gun used in Crusade and also used in Kingdom so stands to reason it would be the one he would have in 1941. The Browning is the type used in Raiders. The no.2 mark 1 used in the movie wasn't produced until 1944. I usually keep it in the shoulder harness that we just found out about in the disney harrison ford documentary.

Also found a beat up 1939 zenith racetrack radio and restored it and made it bluetooth compatible. I play the Indy theme songs, 1941 radio shows and music and have a really chilling 1941 announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Nazi passport and Kennkarte( id document all Germans had to carry with them) reference Indy's undercover work in Germany. Notice his alias? Should sound familiar . Also made up letters and packages referencing many of Indy's friends. They are scattered throughout the display. It was interesting researching and reproducing all the correct postmarks for the period and learning all the ways packages were tied before everyone started using cardboard boxes. ALL labels and postage stamps are the real thing. All envelopes are period 1930/40 and typed on a 1930s typewriter. No aging was done. The German package covered in postmarks is typical. Those Nazis really loved to rubber stamp stuff. Packages from the time period are ususally covered in postmarks. You may notice the letter to Marion that was returned (comic book reference) and Henry,sr. still calling his son junior. And it looks like Willi Scott continues to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Haven't done the postmarks for Hong Kong yet.

Figured out how to reproduce the ticker tape messages Western Union used in the 40s and made a message from Sophia Hapgood (Atlantis and comics). The picture is ai generated. The quote on the pic is directly from the game

The suitcase already had decals from a professor that travelled with it in the 20s. I added decals from hotels from each of the 10 countries Indy visited in the 3 movies. All decals are original, not repros. Toughest were Nepal as it was not exactly a tourist Hotspot in the 30s but managed to get one. The other was Hatay. Hatay only existed for less than a year but I managed to find 2 original stamps. They existed such a short time they just used Syrian stamps and ink stamped HATAY over them.

There are other stuff but it would take forever to list them. Some stuff is for atmosphere but the large majority are referencing either the movies or video games or comics. There are a lot more stuff like the grail, eye of the peacock diamond and a full run of the comics in the drawers. Btw the thuggee dagger is one i got for $40 from india, not the regal robot. People who have just watched the movies can pick up some stuff and others who really know the lore can find interesting stuff also hopefully. Anyway, that's mine. I really enjoy seeing everyone's displays!

 

[mathew]

View attachment 1892631
View attachment 1892632

It would take a lot to beat your display. I love how you and Liberance have totally different approaches but both end up with wonderful, if very different, displays.

Just out of curiosity: is Indy staying in the Continental Savoy a reference I don't get? As an Egyptologist and history buff I happen to know the Continental Savoy was rather expensive. The real American Egyptologist James Breasted stayed there, as did many other Egyptologists, but only after they found wealthy backers. Of course, many used the better hotel terraces to conduct business or hold meetings. If you are looking for a proper dingy, adventure type hotel from the period, try the Luna Park Hotel, which was near the famous Shepheard's Hotel. As an aside, it was also used as a stop over when the Soviet Union took in their spies from the UK.

 

[rogerpir]

It would take a lot to beat your display. I love how you and Liberace have totally different approaches but both end up with wonderful, if very different, displays.

Just out of curiosity: is Indy staying in the Continental Savoy a reference I don't get? As an Egyptologist and history buff I happen to know the Continental Savoy was rather expensive. The real American Egyptologist James Breasted stayed there, as did many other Egyptologists, but only after they found wealthy backers. Of course, many used the better hotel terraces to conduct business or hold meetings. If you are looking for a proper dingy, adventure type hotel from the period, try the Luna Park Hotel, which was near the famous Shepheard's Hotel. As an aside, it was also used as a stop over when the Soviet Union took in their spies from the UK.

I assume you are referring to the decal on the suitcase. The decals are just representative of each of the countries that Indy visited in the 3 movies. It is really hard to find original luggage decals so finding an original from a specific hotel can be near impossible. For every real, original one there are at least 1000 fakes as they are easy to print on a computer. I didn't want to use fakes. When i found a real authentic decal for the countries i wanted to represent i just counted myself very lucky. Sellers assume they are real but they almost never are. You have tobuy from a reputable collector or buy ones that have other provenance. That decal you mentioned came along with a a ticket and playbill dated 1939 for a theater play in Cairo so I could be reasonably certain of the provenance. They represent the countries he visited and not necessarily where he stayed.

 

[mathew]

I assume you are referring to the decal on the suitcase. The decals are just representative of each of the countries that Indy visited in the 3 movies.

Thanks! I really admire your attention to authenticity.
it was just curiosity, I hope you dont mind. And as I said, the hotel was used to hold very important Egyptological and Archaeological meetings so it still fits your narrative

 

[Liberance]

Wow, some really amazing Indy displays! Awesome to see. Inspired me to get off my rear and post some of my display.

Always loved your display. The desk idea is very unique. But you do have enough stuff to fill a whole room! I briefly entertained the idea of having the guns myself (at least the Webley and the S&W, being the story-relevant ones) but again, they don't really fit and where I live even owning a deactivated pistol is a legal headache, plus police are required to mark them in a way that ruins the look.

Fun fact: introducing Mutt's switchblade into the country is supposed to be illegal but I managed to get that one without issue. However I was stopped at a port while carrying the Sting sword replica from The Lord of the Rings that I have hanging near the Indy stuff, and they almost took that from me. Thankfully they eventually let me keep it.

Packages from the time period are usually covered in postmarks.

I'm amazed you managed to get stamps of any sort from Hatay. I had a lot of old videogame console boxes lying around that I keep for collecting as well, and I decided to wrap them all as vintage packages to leave on top of shelves around the office. I was afraid to put too many stamps on them though! Looks like in real life there were never enough, that's good to know.

Yep! This is pretty badass. Especially with the.small attention to details like the bag over the crystal skull. I went with the black netting seen in the jungle. Lol. The clipboard. The small stand for Belloq pocket watch. All awesome as hell! Bravo. PS. I need those sankara stones. Lol.

I searched and searched for a small glass dome for the watch, like some other folks have here. I eventually found one I used for Lao Che's diamond some time ago. In the end, both ended up being better without it for my set up. Both clipboards are vintage, easy to find and look great. So are the postcards and letters from places Indy visited. As roger says, reprints just don't have the same patina and feel. I should probably age that Barnett college ID card too, cause the minute you put something modern next to the real stuff, it sticks out like crazy.

 

[JamesM242]

rogerpir - outstanding! thanks for sharing your collection as well as some of your build stories. Simply amazing!

 

[IceDog]

Wow, some really amazing Indy displays! Awesome to see. Inspired me to get off my rear and post some of my display.

What a fantastic and unique display you have, very nice!