On October 16, 2014 our friends at Prop Store will offer a dazzling array of original costumes, props and production materials from the world of film and television in their inaugural live auction event. having had a chance to browse the extensive auction catalogue, here are just a few of my favourite pieces that will be up for sale (and not surprisingly for me, many come from the science fiction genre).
Scarran Captain Jenek costume and prosthetics
worn by Jason Clarke in Farscape
Many people didn't like the mix of Jim Henson puppets and strange new worlds in this sci-fi show which ran for four seasons from 1999 to 2003 and culminated in The Peacekeeper Wars mini-series in 2004, but I loved the fact that the series about the ragtag fugitive crew of the sentient spaceship 'Moya' took huge risks, they didn't always work, but it made for some pretty unique and compelling TV viewing (plus I can't deny had a little crush on Ben Browder's 'John Crichton').
Jason Clarke wore this spectacular alien costume in season four (it really is amazing this is a TV costume), which I believe was designed by Farscape Series Costume Designer Terry Ryan, and it's expected to sell for £10,000-£12,000 or more. Time to raid my piggy bank I think.
Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan costume worn by Virginia Hey in Farscape
The bald-headed Delvian priestess wore this full-length blue dress with gold neckpiece and bracelets during the show's second season and I was sad to see her go early in the third season, when the actress apparently left because of problems with the extensive body makeup used to create her alien look.
This look plus other Zhaan costumes will be available to buy during the auction and this outfit will sell for £1,500-£2,000.
Captain Kirk costume worn by William Shatner
in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
This vision of futuristic fashion in burgundy was designed by Robert Fletcher for the third Star Trek cinematic installment in which the crew of the Enterprise boldly go in search of their fallen Vulcan, 'Spock'.
This multi-layered ensemble will set you back upwards of £10,000-£12,000, so you true fans had better get your cheque books ready.
Colonial Viper Pilot helmet and jacket from Battlestar Galactica
I absolutely loved the show when I was a kid, the Cylons were the best villains, and was gutted when the show was cancelled. I would have loved to have had one of these custom-made brown suede jackets with their gold clasps, not to mention the Egyptian-inspired Viper pilot helmets.
Oscar-winning Costume Designer Jean-Pierre Dorléac was responsible for creating the look of these iconic Battlestar Galactica uniforms and this helmet and jacket combo will set you back £13,000-£15,000.
Minotaur costume from Gladiator
Next up is a truly monstrous creation from Ridley Scott's Roman epic from 2000, Gladiator.
Janty Yates was Costume Designer on the movie starring Russell Crowe and if you're a fan of the movie, be sure to check out these other original movie costumes from Gladiator on display previously at Universal Studios Hollywood.
This Minotaur warrior with its over-sized faux rotting flesh skull and fur cloak and tail faced off against Russell Crowe's 'Maximus' in the arena and is certainly something you wouldn't want to come across on a dark night.
Selene Death Dealer costume worn by Kate Beckinsale
in Underworld: Evolution
From one mythical creature to another and this black PVC bodysuit worn by Kate Beckinsale as the Death Dealer 'Selene' in the 2006 sequel Underworld: Evolution, the second in the film franchise about warring vampires and Lycans (werewolves).
I have no idea how the actress squeezed into this sexy skin-tight outfit, or in fact breathed or moved, but she did and looked fabulous, and I know all you cosplayers will go crazy for the corset detail on this gothic horror costume designed by Wendy Partridge.
This killer outfit can be yours for £8,000-£10,000 and worth every penny.
Next up for a very different change of pace is a wedding dress from 1994's romantic comedy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, to show you the range of memorabilia on offer in this auction.
This wedding gown designed by Lindy Hemming was worn by Andie MacDowell as 'Carrie' when she marries Hamish (Corin Redgrave) at a Scottish castle. This cream silk dress with its beautifully ornate sequin and beaded bolero jacket with short sleeves would make the perfect wedding gown, especially as you can feel like a Hollywood star on you special day for as little as £800-£1,200.
Here's another spectacular costume that would be the prize of any collection, 'Ujio's' Samurai Warrior costume worn by Hiroyuki Sanada in 2003's period war epic, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise.
Ngila Dickson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for these fantastic recreations of authentic period samurai armour and this one features seventeen separate applied layers to create the finished look. You can marvel at this screen-used costume in your own home for around £15,000-£20,000.
And finally, here's one original iconic prop that caught my nerdy eye leafing through the extensive auction catalogue, 'Ellen Ripley's' flamethrower from Ridley Scott's genre-defining classic Alien from 1979.
This incinerator unit was used by the plucky heroine to try and kill the alien life-form aboard the Nostromo. This supercool weapon prop is expected to sell for £25,000-£35,000, those aliens don't stand a chance.
This killer outfit can be yours for £8,000-£10,000 and worth every penny.
Wedding dress worn by Andie MacDowell
in Four Weddings and a Funeral
This wedding gown designed by Lindy Hemming was worn by Andie MacDowell as 'Carrie' when she marries Hamish (Corin Redgrave) at a Scottish castle. This cream silk dress with its beautifully ornate sequin and beaded bolero jacket with short sleeves would make the perfect wedding gown, especially as you can feel like a Hollywood star on you special day for as little as £800-£1,200.
Ujio Samurai Warrior costume worn by Hiroyuki Sanada
in The Last Samurai
Ngila Dickson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for these fantastic recreations of authentic period samurai armour and this one features seventeen separate applied layers to create the finished look. You can marvel at this screen-used costume in your own home for around £15,000-£20,000.
Ripley's flamethrower used by Sigourney Weaver in Alien
This incinerator unit was used by the plucky heroine to try and kill the alien life-form aboard the Nostromo. This supercool weapon prop is expected to sell for £25,000-£35,000, those aliens don't stand a chance.
These amazing costumes and props are why I love movies and TV, and writing this blog so much. These are just some of my favourite pieces from the U.K. auction, there are far too many to feature here, but be sure to check out the PropStore interactive auction catalogue for the full story.
There are items available from the Star Wars, Batman, Indiana Jones and James Bond film franchises, plus many more exciting screen-used pieces from many film genres.
If you live in London you can also visit a special museum-grade exhibition to preview this sale and get up close with hundreds of authentic costumes and props from movie and TV history to be held at Vue Cinema at Westfield Shopping Centre, White City from October 1 to October 16.
The live auction itself will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 4pm in the U.K., so check out PropStore's website for more details.
Hmm, do I really need to pay my mortgage this month?
All photos courtesy of Sarah Sorkin at Prop Store.
