Profiles in History auctioning ANH Obi Wan lightsaber

So this begs the question, what other items aren't legitimate?:confused Their catalog is HUGE!

The thing is, even for genuine production items they'll use vague words like 'original', where people like us will insist on more specificity - is it production made, screen used, stunt, closeup, etc.

Take the Frozen Stallone from Demolition Man they're selling - sure, it is made by the original effects company, exactly as they say, but they don't mention that the piece was made after the production of the film to go into a Planet Hollywood, along with dozens, if not 100, identical Stallone models. I really feel like the Profiles auctions aren't for those of us in the prop community, but more for people looking to spend money.
 
That Darth Vader is actually one that was made for Planet Hollywood and was displayed in their Chicago location in the mid-late 90s. I actually saw this suit there in person.
It was also photographed and used to make promotional items like one of the life size card board cutouts and shortly used on toy packaging of Vader for the rebooted 12" action figure line.
None of the components have ties to real items except for the chest armor and helmet, and those are very far removed lineage wise that they are very different in geometry and details compared to anything associated with the original productions.
 
This is why these types of auctions should always run the stuff through sites like this, because we've got experts that can out-expert their experts. :)
 
It is so dangerous, because the more hands it passes through (if it sold), the more real it becomes. Provenance is marketable and if it sells, and the paper chain is correct.. and people don't have an incentive to be forensic over the details... fake becomes real via consensus. If it sold for anywhere near the asking price, the buyer would want to protect their investment, further obfuscating issues.
 
I feel like we could make this into a side-gig.
@SethS, you and others here are *the* *world* authority so (i) you could and (ii) the media needs to be alerted about this so some poor ****** doesn't shell out $250k or more!

[EDIT] Its been removed? Well done Dan!
 
It is so dangerous, because the more hands it passes through (if it sold), the more real it becomes. Provenance is marketable and if it sells, and the paper chain is correct.. and people don't have an incentive to be forensic over the details... fake becomes real via consensus. If it sold for anywhere near the asking price, the buyer would want to protect their investment, further obfuscating issues.

Exactly this.There is a real problem with items coming up - and their 'provenance' is almost completely based on results of previous auctions. Most decent auction houses do their homework first, it’s a shame these guys don’t seem to do that.

Cheers

Jez
 
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