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Sci-Fi Memorabilia To Ogle And / Or Buy

bluegreenone writes "While I was nerding it up and looking for some original Battlestar Galactica insiqnias on Google I came across an enormous auction of classic sci-fi props and costumes being held July 31. I'm a little surprised they are getting rid of some of this stuff. Highlights include a piece of the original Deathstar, Scotty's original uniform, and the Terminator's first jacket. How would you like to own Twiki from Buck Rogers, or even better one of Erin Gray's hot spandex pantsuits from the show? You can have your own Cylon, Commander Adama's uniform, or a Colonial Warrior helmet from the never-filmed second season of BG. There's E.T.'s head, Cyclop's visor from X-men, and even the alien hand switch from Total Recall. And who wouldn't want their own cute cuddly face-hugger from Aliens? There are a ton of items but be prepared, most prices start around $500 and go up to $40,000."

71 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. What do you mean... by PakProtector · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a 'peice' of the Death Star? Haven't they started reconstructing it yet?!

    --

    Edward@Tomato - /home/Edward/ man woman
    man: no entry for woman in the manual.
    "Qua!?"

    1. Re:What do you mean... by caudron · · Score: 5, Funny

      Haven't they started reconstructing it yet?!

      Yeah, but like any good mechanic, they have parts left over.

      -Tom

      --
      -Tom
    2. Re:What do you mean... by ackthpt · · Score: 2, Informative
      It wasn't a betting site, it was a futures market. If you don't know the difference, I have some wonderful investments I would like to sell you.

      Futures markets are the ultimate in betting. You really are backing up your belief in things with your bucks.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Uhm yeah....... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Now why does this post sound like a carefully crafted sales pitch? Your auction or just shilling on the side?

    1. Re:Uhm yeah....... by interiot · · Score: 2, Funny

      You have to sound weird to catch a slashdot editor's eye. They have a lot of submissions to reject...

  3. Re:$40000!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A fool and his money are soon parted. Don't question why someone would spend money on this question how you can get them to spend that kind of money on something you have.

  4. Slashdotting prices by BenjyD · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are a ton of items but be prepared, most prices start around $500 and go up to $40,000

    And that's before the Slashdot effect hits the prices.

  5. Ooh by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Erin Gray's hot spandex pantsuits from the show?
    I'd pay $40000 for CowboyNeal's hoy spandex pantsuits!

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:Ooh by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'd pay $40000 for CowboyNeal's hot spandex pantsuits!

      As Twiki would say, "BD BD BD BD BD"

  6. What about... by gwydi0n · · Score: 2, Funny

    A good working copy of the HHGTTG, or really, any way off this rock?

    The longer I wait around here, the more likely they are to demolish the damn thing and build an interchange through it...

  7. Reality Checkpoint! Please Slow Down. by Jonsey · · Score: 5, Funny

    While I'd love to have my own foam-rubber/prop/whaterver facehugger from Alien(s)... Could you really sleep, I mean really really sleep well, knowing that thing was in your house?

    And don't even get me started about Scottie's Suit.

    --
    I assert that my comment is only my opinion, not that of any employer, past, present or future.
  8. Who would pay USD$40,000 for... by brocheck · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some of Scotty's old clothes?? I mean, seriously, we all know that man has some glandular problems! I hope they atleast give it a thorough washing.

    --

    suddenly I feel very tired

  9. for a working tardis by wadiwood · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'll bid next week's winning lotto numbers...

    --

    -- it must be true, it's on the internet.
  10. Forget these, I'm saving my money for... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a lifesize working duplicate of Seven of Nine, Trinity, the TX or a Vanessa Kensington fembot. Yeah, baby!

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
    1. Re:Forget these, I'm saving my money for... by WildFire42 · · Score: 2, Funny
      ...a lifesize working duplicate of Seven of Nine


      You mean 36 of D, right?

      And I'd personally rather have a lifesize working duplicate of Evangelion Unit 01. Because I don't care if Vanessa Kensington has machine gun jubblies, Eva 01 can kick her ass any day.
  11. Anyone have this item? by flea69 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I am looking for a mint condition Harrison Ford bowel movement from the original Star Wars...1 of 220 available.

    1. Re:Anyone have this item? by WebfishUK · · Score: 5, Funny

      It would be worth a mint if you could prove he said "I have a bad feeling about this" just before it popped out!

      --
      -- "Can't sleep, clowns will eat me!"
    2. Re:Anyone have this item? by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ahh, so that's what he meant when he was talking about fast Kessel runs!

      --

      "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  12. Bring me the head of E.T. by tbase · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's not even from the movie, it's from the Universal Studios attraction. How rare is that? Starting bid $4,000?!

    --

    666-607: 6th floor apartment of the beast
  13. from the breast-and-wig dept. by mandalayx · · Score: 4, Informative

    For those curious as to what was meant by the subtitle

    from the breast-and-wig dept.

    I think the editors were busy ogling "Breast appliances and wig" worn by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos in X-Men. More about the item for those not feeling like checking out a link for breast appliances:

    Blue latex breast appliances (each signed on the inside in gold by the actress), and a short-haired red wig, worn by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique. $500 - $1,000 [estimated sale price]

    I guess that's perfect for that semi-stalkerish yet absolutely cool amongst geeks feeling.

  14. Auction Prices and the Average Geek by Baron_Yam · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is it just me, or is it only the hard-core sci-fi geek loner with no money who would willingly pay $US 15K for a Cylon costume? I would think that anyone able to afford this would wouldn't be willing to pay that much for it.

    I mean, I think it'd be neat... for a few hundred maybe.

  15. Nice Advertisement! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How much do I have to pay to get a "Slash-vertisement" for the collection of useless shit I'm selling on Ebay?

    1. Re:Nice Advertisement! by FatalTourist · · Score: 2, Funny
      Was your useless shit in a classic sci-fi movie?

      (and also way too expensive for any of us to buy yet quite fun to ogle at?)

      --


      Escape Pod Films: Sketch Comedy and Web Series
  16. Not Real by RobertTaylor · · Score: 2, Informative

    E.T. headpiece used on the Universal Studios attraction E.T. the Adventure.

    $4000 for something that was once on a ride? Not the real thing?!

    Incidently many of these auctions have been 'ended early'.

  17. Uhm... by acehole · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll buy the face hugger and keep it in a easily escapable cage. As is the tradition with such things...

    --
    Be you Admins? nay, we are but lusers!
  18. Own your own Cylon by 1s44c · · Score: 3, Funny

    I already have one I got off ebay a few years back.

    It's quite cool really. All he wants is a tube of autosol every xmas and to plug himself into the mains at night. In return he does all the cooking, cleaning, DIY, and scares off burglers.

    I think he is having some kind of relationship with the hoover though.

    1. Re:Own your own Cylon by crawling_chaos · · Score: 2, Funny

      How's he scare off burglars? Everyone knows that a Cylon Warrior has even poorer aim than an Imperial Stormtrooper! Must be that design flaw off combining lack of depth perception with a constantly moving eyeball.

      --
      You can only drink 30 or 40 glasses of beer a day, no matter how rich you are.
      -- Colonel Adolphus Busch
  19. BBC Quality Stuff by WebfishUK · · Score: 2, Funny



    Im sure I can lay my hands on a couple of washing up bottles, an egg carton and some silver paint... ermmm.. I mean the original Liberator from Blakes 7.

    --
    -- "Can't sleep, clowns will eat me!"
  20. What will you tell Seven? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Resistance is futile. You will be inseminated."

    1. Re:What will you tell Seven? by tgd · · Score: 4, Funny

      You've been waiting for years to use that joke on here, haven't you?

  21. Re:$40000!!! by sebi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    $40000, why would anyone spend that much money on something like that? You'd have to have something wrong with you to spend that amount of money...

    You will find, that the most expensive item starts at more than twice that. The original George Reeves Superman costume starts at $90,000.00

    Is it worth that much? Not to me, but somebody might be prepared to spend that. Why is that wrong? If you can afford it and want to own a piece of film history.

  22. Too bad they aren't sold as a collection by bluegreenone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In some ways it's too bad they are selling these items piecemeal. Having a collection of many related items raises the value and relevance of rare pieces. It would be great if some rich fan out there just bought every single item for some of these shows, it looks like Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers have the most items at this auction. Then they could make a collection out of the whole lot, or even better open a Buck Rogers museum. Of course maybe there are some die-hard fans out there for whom a chance to own a piece of their favorite show for $600 is a dream come true.

  23. Re:Reality Checkpoint! Please Slow Down. by fruey · · Score: 3, Funny

    What is worse, perhaps, is that the inside of the face hugger was knowingly designed around the female vulva/vagina, and it is plainly clear that that is the case in the photos of the auction. So not only do you have the prop, but the slightly perverted looking replica of labia in the middle of this plastic thing. Maybe it makes some of you want to have it near your face, but remember, it IS a model.

    --
    Conversion Rate Optimisation French / English consultant
  24. Snow/Land Ram off US 101 in Hollywood by tbmaddux · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's been there for decades, I believe it's one of the vehicles from the "Ice Planet Zero" episode, sitting in a used car lot on Cahuenga. Anyone else notice it?

    --
    Can't you see that everyone is buying station wagons?
  25. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    The best place on the net to discuss SF/Fantasy/genre media is FutureNoir.com IMO.

  26. Who buys this? by Penguin2212 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Leela: Why Buys this crap?

    Bender: Idiots, who like to buy crap for other idiots.

  27. Re:$40000!!! by beacher · · Score: 2, Funny

    "This exceptional hero costume was worn by Greene as Commander Adama in virtually every episode of the series"

    Hope these costumes have been washed/dry cleaned.. Wouldn't want to get space herpes
    -B

  28. That's no Death Star by commodoresloat · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's actually pieces of the Moon.

  29. Re:Well... by $rtbl_this · · Score: 4, Funny

    Looking at the uniform, it'd take more than the jaws of life to get him in there.

    "The stitching canna take it, captain!"

    --
    "Are you being weird, or sarcastic?" said Emma. I said I didn't know because I get the two feelings mixed up.
  30. Re:$40000!!! by EastCoastSurfer · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's all relative. I'm sure there are people who balk at the fact that you probably spend ~$40/month on a broadband connection.

  31. Buyer's Premium by cdrudge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I noticed that some (all?) of the auctions had an 18% "Buyer's Premium" that goes to the seller, paid in addition to the winning bid amount. Is this normal for auctions? It seems like it is just another way to suck even more money out of the buyer. I wonder why we don't start seeing Best Buy, Amazon, etc start charging a 18% "Buyer's Fee" when we buy stuff online for the convenience.

    1. Re:Buyer's Premium by Bushcat · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yes, many "traditional" auction houses charge both a buyer's and a seller's premium, plus quite large storage and shipping charges if you cannot immediately walk out with the item (which you can't, if you bid via phone or the internet. The buyer pays quite a lot more than expected, and the seller gets a lot less.

  32. Re:$40000!!! by sebi · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Come on--it's a Sci-Fi auction, for Bob's sake.

    There are people starving in parts of the world and thousands are dieing because they can't afford common medicines

    Which is the fault of the pharmaceutical industry, because they refuse to let other produce generic versions of their drugs. So if some executive from Novartis or Pfizer is buying the Superman costume you might have a point. You probably don't get that rich without exploiting some people in the process, but I still think that you should be able to spend your money in whatever way you want. Some people might spend it on cocaine, some might give it to charity and some might want movie memorabilia. A lot of people may have more dollars than sense, but apart from taxing that money nobody has the right to tell them what to do with it. And I really don't see a problem with this.

  33. Here it is by commodoresloat · · Score: 2, Funny
    I am looking for a mint condition Harrison Ford bowel movement from the original Star Wars

    You must mean this.

  34. Surprised? by sumiciu · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I'm a little surprised they are getting rid of some of this stuff.
    Are you really surprised? Come on, people grow, I'm now 34 and sometimes wonder how the hell could I spend money in things I bought 15 years ago.

    And, really, once you're married (yes, even people reading Slashdot gets married), it's better to get rid of some memorabilia than to listen all the time complaints about "all the shit you have in this room".

  35. Re:$40000!!! by panurge · · Score: 4, Interesting
    No one will read this...but the best CEO I ever worked with defined happiness as having enough cash in the bank to walk in off the street and buy a top of the range Mercedes with a personal check...and not do it, so when you're stuck in traffic next to the guy in the 600SEL you can think "You're going just as slowly as I am, and you're paying through the nose for it." Do I need to tell you he was British (PhD University of Cambridge)?

    If he's reading this thread, he may be thinking the same thing about paying $$$$$ for what is, in the end, theatrical tat.

    --
    Panurge has posted for the last time. Thanks for the positive moderations.
  36. But what about BOOKS?!?! by farrellj · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Science Fiction came from Books, and please don't forget them...I wouldn't spend the money they are asking for Media SF stuff...but, say, a mint copy of Dangerous Visions hardcover....I would spend a bit for that! Or a first edition of any Arthur C. Clarke book in mint condition.

    ttyl
    Farrell

    --
    CAN-CON 2019 - Ottawa's only book oriented Science Fiction Convention! October 18-20, Sheraton Hotel, Ottawa, Canada h
  37. So what you're saying is by commodoresloat · · Score: 5, Funny

    These aren't the hot spandex pantsuits you're looking for.

  38. Corpse-looting by EarwigTC · · Score: 3, Funny


    Somewhere a Planet Hollywood lies dying...

    --
    Promote civility: mod down any post starting with 'ummm'.
  39. Swap by tcdk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Have: Facehugger.
    Want: Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipley!

    --
    TC - My Photos..
  40. Yes, but is the piece of the Deathstar by vudufixit · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Fully Operational?"

  41. Who can afford this stuff? by fuqqer · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I know it's cool to live in fantasy world where we get to own the original Terminator jacket, but...

    How many unemployed, or people who've taken paycuts on slashdot can afford the ridiculous prices these people are charging? It would probably inflate Hollywood's egos far more than they already are or need to be. It's not like these overpaid buffoons need more money either.

    I'd feel guilty supporting the movie industry like this. I'd much rather take a chunk of money like that and donate it to someone fighting the MPAA or RIAA. I mean having the stuff is cool, but you'd probably be funding their foundation of slimy lawyers.

    I'm keeping what little money I have out of lower Cali, and in Silicon Valley...Screw the MPAA!

    1. Re:Who can afford this stuff? by tgd · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Um, in case you didn't notice, its an auction, not a sale. So you your answer is right there... whoever buys it can aparently afford it. The prices aren't rediculous if someone out there who wants it can afford it. Just because you, your friends or everyone on /. can't doesn't mean the prices are rediculous.

  42. Re:Reality Checkpoint! Please Slow Down. by krs-one · · Score: 4, Funny

    "...female vulva/vagina..."

    As opposed to the male vulva/vagina? ;)

    -Vic

  43. Obligatory by gwydi0n · · Score: 5, Funny

    "... That's no moon!"

  44. Re:$40000!!! by panurge · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No one is asking you to drive a mini. (Except BMW). You can buy a perfectly good VW, Toyota, Honda, base level Merc etc. with everything you need and still keep most of your cash in the bank. This guy actually drove a Saab. His point was about spending money simply to look flash, the fact that once you've done it the effect quickly wears off and yes, you have missed the point.

    --
    Panurge has posted for the last time. Thanks for the positive moderations.
  45. Re:$40000!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I know several multi-millionares (Grew up with one's son) that refused to waste money. He drove a Buick, chopped his own wood for his fireplace and could buy and sell each and every one of us without flinching.

    The true wealthy are not stupid.... those in the mercedes and BMW's are just wannabes trying to look like they have money when they really don't. (Yes you Audi idiots are in there too)

  46. Dot-com days by NineNine · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Whoever is selling this shit should've done it about 5 years ago. In the dot-com hey day, I bought some pretty insane stuff at prices higher than most of these things. Luckily, the things that I did buy really *ARE* collector's items, and are insured. Ah, to have money again....

  47. Warning! Buyer beware! by cyclist1200 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I feel I should warn anyone considering the purchase of a face hugger: they are not nearly as affectionate as their name suggests.

  48. Re:$40000!!! by lovebyte · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do I need to tell you he was British

    I assume you meant Scottish. That would explain a lot.

    --

    I'll do it for cheesy poofs.

  49. e.t.'s head by falconed · · Score: 2, Funny
    My wife made the comment that it would be really creepy to see this over some guy's mantle...

    hunter 1: "I got a 12 point buck!"
    hunter 2: "that's nothin..."

    --
    USE='clever' emerge -u sig
  50. Slooooow response by Tim+Doran · · Score: 2, Funny

    Holy crap - are we slashdotting Ebay?

  51. What I want isn't there by Quila · · Score: 2, Funny

    I want the Tardis (preferably a fully-functional one), and a Dalek (preferably non-functional)

  52. Re:Giger by xpccx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    For people who aren't aware, H.R. Giger came up with the ideas for the alien monster. The reference to the face hugger modeled after a vagina is probably very true.

    I picked up a book of some of his work in the bargin bin. It's kind of odd to see Alien type artwork mixed with nudity (or even pornography).

  53. rambling tips for movie prop buyers. by Artifex · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Of course maybe there are some die-hard fans out there for whom a chance to own a piece of their favorite show for $600 is a dream come true.


    Something important to keep in mind is that, rare as these are, most of these items are not the absolute only instances of their kind. When a film or tv show goes into production, they usually make several copies of things like outfits and any props that the actors may actually touch.

    In my opinion, buying one outfit or prop isn't enough, you need to get a representative sampling of several. That's where you start to get the feelings you had when watching the show, and that's where you can start to see things like how the costumers and set designers did their real magic.

    Also, please consider making an overall budget when you visit an auction like this, not only so that you don't go overboard, but so that you think more about how much further your money goes if you buy multiple smaller items you like, and not blow it all on the big ones.

    Decide whether something being "screenworn" matters to you, before you start bidding. If you're all excited about getting Buck Rogers tights, for example, but you want a really nice pair, you may want to get a backup pair that weren't actually needed. On the other hand, don't be surprised if you decide you have to get a nifty blaster used on set, and it arrives with bits missing or glued back on, because it's not a toy, it's a handmade prop meant to be used briefly. Prop and costume designers are very hard workers, and very creative, but they rarely have the budget or the time to make things with the intent of them lasting beyond the length of the scenes in which they're used. That's why everyone sells these items with the disclaimers they do.

    If you buy these, buy them because you want them and plan to have them until you die, not because they'll impress other people (good for about 5 minutes cumulative maybe) or because you think you can flip them later. Few props will actually increase in value over time, and even if the appraised value increases, getting someone to pay that much later, especially if you don't have a variety of items together, could be extremely difficult.

    Above all, even if you have money to burn left over from a dot-com you sold years ago, don't get caught up in the bidding, and suddenly realise that you could have bought a car, taken an around-the-world vacation, or built a school in a third world country for the price of those Cylon and Twiki suits I know you're eyeing. You could also invest the money and approach the current buyer in about 3 years, when he's in debt, if you still want it. I think in those 3 years you'll be glad you didn't waste the money, however.
    --
    Get off my launchpad!
  54. first edition books are not all that... by Artifex · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you have a first edition of a book, you know that you have one of a printing that was probably at least a thousand. The author may not have ever even touched it, and if he did, and he signed it directly to you, it most likely wasn't his very own personal copy.

    Unless it's extremely old, a printed edition shouldn't be something you get all excited about, and even if it is, you generally have to interact with it to get the most use from it (it's meant to be read, not looked at, like a movie prop), and interacting with a book causes wear. So it's not really a pristine edition any more, and worth less.

    On the other hand, if you are really in love with an author's work, or think it changed your life, you might try looking for the original manuscripts. Many authors who write longhand have them typed before submission, and their original handwritten copies destroyed, so one step down from that is the author's own markup galleys or correction proofs, sent back from the publisher. Below that is the murky realm of review copies, which often turn up in bookstores as sought after items, even though they rarely have artwork, often have poor typesetting and are just photocopied sheets poorly bound, etc. Remember, these are the copies they send for free to newspaper columnists, etc., and they don't spend any money on them because they know they'll probably be tossed after being skimmed (who has time to read a whole book? And some review copies aren't even whole books, just excerpts).

    --
    Get off my launchpad!
  55. Re:$40000!!! by geekoid · · Score: 2, Insightful

    because his happiness is not derived from material goods, which is the point that the original poster missed.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  56. It's Not the Pantsuit... by Michael_Burton · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How would you like to own Twiki from Buck Rogers, or even better one of Erin Gray's hot spandex pantsuits from the show?

    I'm thinking Erin Gray's pantsuits would be fairly disappointing without Erin Gray in them.

    --
    When all you have is an axe, everything looks like a grindstone.
  57. Women Guests by MyHair · · Score: 2, Funny

    While I'd love to have my own foam-rubber/prop/whaterver facehugger from Alien(s)... Could you really sleep, I mean really really sleep well, knowing that thing was in your house?

    I was thinking more along the lines of how cool that would be except that I'd never get laid while that thing was in my apartment.

  58. Re:$40000!!! by happyclam · · Score: 2, Insightful
    It's all relative. I'm sure there are people who balk at the fact that you probably spend ~$40/month on a broadband connection.

    Indeed...

    • 20% of the world's population lives on $ 1 per day.
    • 50% of the world's population lives on $ 2 per day.
    • 16% of the world's population do not read or write, and
      65% of those are women.
    • 6% of the world's population own half the world's resources.
    • 1% of the world's population have a college education.

    • The estimated cost for basic child health and nutrition and for providing primary education, safe water and sanitation, and family planning is $34 billion.

      yet...
    • Each year the world spends $400 billion on cigarettes.
    • Each year the world spends $245 billion on beer and wine.
    • Each year the world spends $40 billion on golf.

    statistics provided by Global Impact quoting UNICEF and the UN
    --
    He looked at me and said, "Kid, we don't like your kind, and we're gonna send your fingerprints off to Washington."
  59. CNN article by dogbowl · · Score: 2, Informative

    Theres a cnn article up where the auctioneer states he expects to bring in close to $1 million.

    But just perusing his auctions it looks like nobody's bidding. There are only a handful a bids on all of his items -- most ending tomorrow. Even with the CNN and Slashdot exposure, nobody's bidding. (or rather, as I hope, nobody actually believes that some crap from Planet of the Apes could be worth $4000.)

    --

    These pretzels are making me thirsty.