The Christies Star Trek Auction

[Yeoman Randi]

Just finished watching the History Channel's special about the Christies Star Trek Auction from 2006. How i wish i had been there! To see all those items and have the chance to bid on something (and, in all likelihood, lose!)

Was anyone here at that auction? Did you buy or bid on anything?

Does anyone have that catalog? I understand it is two volumes. I am thinking i would love that set. Is it worth the price? I see they go for around $125 on ebay. One seller had about 10 sets for $35. I emailed him to ask if they were the real thing (because his price was so much lower) and got an incredibly rude reply from him. (I won't be buying anything from him now!)

Anyway, my questions are: Was anyone there at the auction? What was the experience like? Did you get anything? Does anyone have the catalog set? Is it worth buying?

Thanks!

 

[sbk1234]

I wasn't there, but I found the whole thing to be rather depressing. To me, it seemed like Paramount finally giving in the towel on Trek.
True, we've since got Star Trek:Abrams, but it just isn't the same.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Part of me felt that way too. I understand from reading (here on the BBS i think) that a LOT of stuff actually just got thrown away at some point. How on earth does THAT happen??

I do like the idea though that fans got to own a piece of Star Trek history though. I wish there was some like, Star Trek Museum (i'm sure there are lots of little ones, but i mean something like an official museum) where this stuff could have gone to.

And even if these things weren't auctioned off, would JJ have used any of the old ships/props etc? I don't know that he would have.

 

[Bill Morris]

Here's the listing archive:

http://startrekpropcollector.com/trekauctions/data/pages/christies/page1.html

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Oh neat! Thanks!

From the special, we saw quick shots of the catalogs. They looked really interesting. Nice pictures with inside information from Mike & Denise Okuda. I would think these catalogs would be like a little encylopedia or something. A nice addition to a ST book collection.

I know Mike posts here on the BBS. I hope he comes in with some anecodes from the experience!

I couldn't believe how many costumes, props, models etc they had to go through, authenticate and organize. What an undertaking!!!

 

[AstroSmurf]

I have always wanted on of these catalogs myself but have never been able to locate one. If anyone does indeed locate a decent source let me know!

And speaking of the studio's callous handling of the props and sets pieces, did anyone see John Eaves' blog post on the subject? After Enterprise was canceled, the studio piled up anything they didn't think they could use or sell in the parking lot and ran over it with a bulldozer. I admit, after seeing his pictures of the event, I cried. It broke my heart to see something I loved so much be ground to dust and hauled away. (It also reminded me of the images of the sound stage used to house DS-9's Promenade set being cleared after the show ended. Heart-wrenching.) But this is a business and it costs money to store and manage a collection that size. I guess I would rather have these precious things in the hand of a collector than a studio suit who is more interested in the bottom line.

Edit to Add: I found Eaves' blog post. Look if you want but it is not for the faint of heart.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

^ There are about 4 listed on ebay right now. They average about $125 for the set (i think).

I think the Eaves' post is what i am remembering about sets etc being trashed. I agree, those are very sad pictures.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I bought the catalog. It's one of my all-time favorite Star Trek books - full of photographs and detail both on the history of the pieces and their construction. I believe the Okudas wrote much of the text for it.

Fifty volumes of "Haynes Enterprise Manuals" are not worth one of these.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Dennis, thanks so much for the info. I'm glad to hear someone (you) thinks it is worth the money. I was hoping it might be a nice additional reference of sorts. I believe i'll add this to my xmas wish list now!