Introduction

How can I explain why prop collecting is so cool?

Years later, I have seen and held many of the genuine props that have been used on the various shows and I am always amazed at how they are constructed and in some cases, made out of the cheapest material available! For instance, The "Mor-Tay" from the TOS episode 'The Cloud Minders', was built from wood. Another example was the "Klingon Death Sting" that I once saw and held was merely two halves of plastic glued together. The Rifles used in Star Trek V-The Final Frontier by the inhabitants of Nimbus III, were built by Greg Jein with spare parts of electrical conduit and and plumbing pipes!

Has anybody ever walked up to you and said,
"Geordi's VISOR is just a woman's barrette. Y'know, one'a those banana clip things."
"Really? No kidding," I always reply.

Of course, VISOR's aren't a reality - yet. But, when Captain Kirk's communicator was created, cell phones weren't even thought of yet either. In many ways, the prop designers of the past led us to the future with their wood and plastic. But despite all that, I am amazed that I am still confronted by those who simply don't understand why I collect. "What's wrong with the Playmates toys?" It is very difficult to truly explain why I love props so much and what fires me up into buying what is on the surface basically, JUNK or so I have been told!

I try not to tell anyone what I have paid for my props. When I have in the past I usually received stares similar to if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. "What kind of neurotic, compulsive obsession is this? Are you nuts?"

It's hard to explain that collecting props is like buying little works of art, and that my mind transforms those bits of plastic, metal, resin and tubing into high tech, 24th century machinery. That is the real point of my collecting, it is the realization of a childhood dream.

There are those out there who have spent small fortunes acquiring the genuine, 'used on the show', props. To those out there who own the "genuine props", I congratulate you on your acquisitions. I have to admit I would love to own an 'original' one day, but alas, the "perils" of purchasing a fake concern me, not to mention the cost of a genuine, used prop.

This now leads me to why I created this site. A fellow collector I know had been at a movie premiere with another Star Trek fan club. On their table was a TOS Klingon Disrupter. It was sitting out and many people were handling this replica. I had mentioned to him the concern of it being broken if it was hap-hazardly dropped. He replied, "I can lock this item away, never to be seen by anyone and also stare at the hole in my checking account for what this item cost. Or I can place it on display and let others appreciate it." This gave me an idea.

Up until that time, I have seen many websites devoted to the collection of Sci Fi props. Many of them I liked. I liked not only how they presented their collection on the web, but sometimes providing "background" information as well. In 1998, I decided that I would create a website that not only showcased my props, but also would give the viewer information about prop collecting, background information and the construction and creation of props for motion pictures and television.

I have spent three years thoroughly researching all the information that is being presented here. I also used this time to refine the over all look of this website, while also adding to my collection. So I now leave it to you, to be the judge of these efforts. I sincerely hope you enjoy viewing this website as much as I have enjoyed creating it.

In closing I welcome you, the avid collector, the enthusiast and the curious, to my collection and this website. I must point out that this site is Very Graphic Intensive, so please be patient while the images load. I will be adding new pictures of my Star Trek Props continually as I acquire them to my collection. So please, check back often and Bookmark this site!!!

<BGSOUND SRC="/img/pcflut.mid">