Brian Muir
Well-Known Member
Well we've moved on many months since the last discussion but you're still getting the facts wrong
original esb vader costume on the auction block
- Thread starter piehead
- Start date
Well we've moved on many months since the last discussion but you're still getting the facts wrong
Brian Muir
Well-Known Member
No I've not moved on one iota it was actually time I was referring to. The facts remain the same and you are still wrong.
Ok that's interesting, unless you've heard, it would be good to find out what his impression was.
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Well as far as the origin of the ROTJ helmets we did cover that at length in this super awesome thread. 
http://www.therpf.com/f9/origins-rotj-vader-helmets-jy-thread-continuation-65622/
But even if the ROTJ helmets were all refurbished ESB, we don't see evidence of a refurbished ROTJ-like helmet during or even around the time of ESB. So regardless of their source, it is still beholden to Christie's to demonstrate that the helmet is indeed ESB when presented with evidence to the contrary.
http://www.therpf.com/f9/origins-rotj-vader-helmets-jy-thread-continuation-65622/
But even if the ROTJ helmets were all refurbished ESB, we don't see evidence of a refurbished ROTJ-like helmet during or even around the time of ESB. So regardless of their source, it is still beholden to Christie's to demonstrate that the helmet is indeed ESB when presented with evidence to the contrary.
EvilRocketeer
Master Member
Wait, wasnt Brianian the person that sculpted the Vader helmet? wouldnt he know more information regarding the helmets?
That's correct, he is none other than Brian Muir, the original sculptor of the Darth Vader helmet and armor back in 1976, as well as the stormtrooper armor (and he worked on C3PO and a couple of other droids as well). And he knows someone from the production of ROTJ. So we are very fortunate to have him here to provide his input.
jdebord
Sr Member
Reuters: "James Bond outguns Darth Vader at UK film auction" - James Bond outguns Darth Vader at UK film auction | Reuters
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
It failed? Maybe that'll teach them not to put something that questionable up for auction. People have gotten very vary of these things after the Star Trek fiasco. Thanks for the update.
CSMacLaren
Sr Member
It may also be that those with the buying power are doing their research first. If they're studying up on RPF posts then more power to them. :thumbsup
Qui-Gonzalez
Master Member
Someone posted another article saying bidding stopped at 150,000.
I thought as much. It seems the auction description had too much in it that was questionable, indirect, or vague. And anyone who has read anything about Star Wars in the press in regard to the background to this costume would have done research on Andrew Ainsworth and that by itself would have raised a red flag given the litigation against him by LFL. Poor judgement on Christie's part.
Well, as for the costume, if I was the seller I would not be too disappointed since it could still sell in another auction as an authentic promotional Vader costume and still fetch a respectably high price. I would have worded the auction to be a ROTJ promotional suit that is thought to have original helmet/armor components. Present it from the point of view of replica and possibly original rather than original and possibly replica. If Christie's would have made some effort to accept input, even from someone like Brian Muir, and then make improvements to the wording of the auction, or add a qualifying statement to buyers that the original components may be promotional, and reduce the estimate by 50%, then I am sure it would have sold.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness." :devil
Well, as for the costume, if I was the seller I would not be too disappointed since it could still sell in another auction as an authentic promotional Vader costume and still fetch a respectably high price. I would have worded the auction to be a ROTJ promotional suit that is thought to have original helmet/armor components. Present it from the point of view of replica and possibly original rather than original and possibly replica. If Christie's would have made some effort to accept input, even from someone like Brian Muir, and then make improvements to the wording of the auction, or add a qualifying statement to buyers that the original components may be promotional, and reduce the estimate by 50%, then I am sure it would have sold.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness." :devil
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
100% agreed.
I seriously doubt it was a result of anything we said here. I think it was simply the way in which the lot was presented by Christie's. They did nothing to respond to any input whatsoever. The responsibility lies with them.
Thanks to Brian Muir for pointing this out on TPD:
BBC News - Dave Prowse: The man behind Darth Vader's mask
Highlights:
And...
It seems Dave had a hand in the lack of sale.
BBC News - Dave Prowse: The man behind Darth Vader's mask
Highlights:
And...
It seems Dave had a hand in the lack of sale.
It didn't sell, but someone still bid over $200,000 for it (bidding stopped at $150,000 pounds not dollars). That's still rather impressive for what it actually was. If Christie's would have been responsible and sold it for what it was, everyone would have walked away happy.
I was in the auction room and I don't think there were any bidders. It's fairly standard practice for auction houses to run items up to just below reserve in the hope that they get one bid to bring it to the reserve amount - which in this case was obviously £160k.
I am very glad this didn't sell - in short, it was / is a joke and a high profile sale of such a questionable item would have tarnished the hobby.
Regards,
David
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