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It is the dream of every Star Trek fan to own a piece from the show. However, I must point out that any prop being offered as original, must be considered as suspect. Paramount Pictures guards its gates carefully when releasing any original props to the public. If you encounter such a prop remember, the price tag for a mainstay prop, such as a Phaser or Communicator, can run into the thousands. Even a minor prop, or a mainstay prop that is in poor condition can cost hundreds! Keep these facts in mind as you read my two encounters below,

I once met a dealer at a Convention while having a cigarette outside. I told him of my interest in prop collecting. He turned, looked at me and said,
"Would you like to own a Communicator once held by Capt. Kirk?"
Playing along, I asked, "How much?"
"Three hundred," he replied.

Another example,

I attended a convention one time when a fellow purchased a rather large 3 foot by 3 foot display. It was about an inch and half thick. The display was enclosed in glass and had 8 pictures on it about postcard size from the original series. In the center was a box that revealed a TOS Phaser-Type One. It was a very beautiful piece that had the fine details of the power gauge and silver stripping along the sides. I noticed that the prop was painted in a very shiny black paint and had no defects on it. It was in beautiful mint condition! And judging by the high detail on this prop I concluded that it could have been a "Hero".
I asked the man if this was an original prop and he replied that it was. I then asked how much had he paid?
He replied, "Four Hundred dollars."

I have met individuals who claim they can provide a "Certificate of Authenticity" or COA, with the props they sell. A Certificate of Authenticity is a term for a document that attempts to attest to a prop items history and authenticity. Such a document is no better than the reputation of the issuing agent however. Some companies issue Certificates of Authenticity that grant money back guarantees if at any point an item is proven to not be authentic. Short of this sort of documentation, a document issued by a person in the movie or television industry or who has a long history of reliability is a Certificate that matters. Sometimes studios themselves issue Certificates of Authenticity with items they sell at auctions or elsewhere. I can only say, know whom you are buying from. Make every effort to verify that this person is a legitimate source. Remember, Caveat Emptor!

One of the main problems for the collector of these pieces of movie history and memorabilia is correctly identifying the actual prop. Normally research gives you only enough to narrow your search down to the actual number of hand props made for each movie or TV show.

The Propmaster will generally have on hand more than one copy of the prop that is to be used on set that given day. This is in the event of the first prop being broken, a "back-up" prop is on hand. It is usually almost impossible to prove which of the two or more hand props made for each scene was "The One That Was Actually Screen Used". In this situation, there were two of these props on the set for the filming, so there are two "original" props from this movie. Either could be seen on the movie screen or conversely, either could have been shot in take, after take, or not been seen on the screen or used at all. Adding to the confusion of which prop actually made the final cut of the scene. It is also the common practice of prop makers everywhere to produce copies of these hand props both at the same time or at a later date for their own archives, friends, co-workers, even to have their own copies and sometimes to sell to collectors. Auction houses do the best they can to verify authenticity of props sold, but even then can be deceived.

There is also a growing number of prop makers outside of Hollywood (who never worked in Hollywood) who produce "copy props," often in their garages, which is why such props are commonly known as "garage kits." Sadly, these copy props are sometimes mistaken for real ones. And last to all our sorrow and shame, some prop makers produce forgeries and reproductions made to be sold as "real original, right off the movie set, right-out-of-the-actor's-hand-prop." So it is a buyer beware...Letters of Authenticity are not any guarantee as so many of the letters are fakes too. You must trust the integrity of the dealer as to its validity.

When buying replicas mail-order, don't let your desire to own a certain piece govern your basic common sense. When you write the check or money order and send it off, know and trust who you are dealing with. I can personally recount stories of people who have sent money, and have got nothing in return.

I have found some easy to remember rules that you can follow when ordering props mail-order...

1. Get pictures of the prop first, don't go off the "golden word" of a dealer who is selling the item.

2. Be careful about buying props mail order across state lines, it's a lot harder to get your money back. Know your manufacturer. If the guy only has a PO box, make sure he's got at least a phone number with it.

3. Using a credit card will give you the power to reverse the sale via your bank. The time limit to do this after a sale is not the same with each bank, so you should check before you order. Call the bank before this time limit runs out if you do not receive your order and you get no satisfaction from the dealer. The bank will then get involved and check the facts and try to resolve the conflict.

4. Be wary if you haven't received the item within the 4 to 8 weeks, especially if the dealer doesn't call you first with an explanation.

5. Be cautious of digital sound. It's not going to sound exactly like the original prop no matter what. A prop is limited to a small internal speaker. Also it is important to remember that digital sound usually costs more.

When buying replicas at a convention, haggling for a good price, is an option. Buying many prop replicas at one time can help reduce the price of each individual prop. Also, cultivating a dealer with repeat business can help toward striking bargains on future prop replica acquisitions.

Another thing to keep in mind about conventions, if the show has been a good one for the dealer, then toward the end of the con, the prices will drop. If it hasn't, don't expect the prices to come down. So waiting till the end of the convention, generally Sunday, is a good plan. However, the item that once was there, may be gone. On the other hand, getting to the convention as soon as the doors open, guarantees first pick of the litter. Have your best poker face and trading skills ready. In other words, be prepared to say "No" and walk away. Sometimes it is best to pass up an item in the hope of finding a better replica another day. Allow me to explain.

A very dear friend of mine and I attended a convention. She loved swords. We where going to work this convention as security and had arrived one day earlier to help set up the show. As the dealers where setting up, we came across a sword that at the time she didn't have. My friend asked the dealer the price and was told $275. It was stainless 440 steel. (It was beautiful.) At the time my friend didn't have the money on hand. During the course of that day she had stoped back many times to look at it. The dealer had advised her that this sword was a "limited run" and the six that he had was the last of the stock and would not have anymore once they where gone. He told her that this is a very rare find and he was glad that he was able to sell them since they are so hard to get.

All night long she kept thinking about that sword and how to aquire it. I tried to explain that the dealer was looking for a quick sale and that perhaps back home she could find the exact same sword for less money. (Thank god I talked her out of the dealer's "lay away plan!" As it would have tapped all of her money for that weekend.)

The next day all the dealers where on hand and she found her sword from another dealer for $120.

The "Up at the Crack of Dawn" approach or the "End of Convention Browsing" approach. It is up to you to decide which game plan is best. But remember do not be taken in by the beauty of the prop or let your judgment be swayed because of a so called validity of a COA. Never let your emotions get in the way of your reason, or you may find out you bought an over priced piece of resin. Happy Hunting & Collecting.

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Choose from the following subjects	The Definition of a Prop	The Types of Props
The Creation and Construction of a Prop.	Advice on Kit Prop Building.	Prop Collecting.
Found Props	Greebles