In a remarkable turn of events, two iconic props from the original Star Trek series have reemerged after being lost for over fifty years. Captain Kirk’s original phaser and communicator, famously wielded by William Shatner in NBC’s 1966 television show, are set to go under the hammer. These legendary artifacts are anticipated to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000 at an auction co-hosted by Julien’s Auctions and TCM in Hollywood on November 9.
Before the auction, these prized items will be on display for Star Trek enthusiasts at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego from July 15 to 28. This marks the first collaboration between Julien’s Auctions and TCM at the nation’s premier comics and pop culture convention, highlighting a burgeoning partnership between the cable network and the L.A.-based auction house.
David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, expressed his excitement: “We are extremely honored to present at our exhibition the holy grail of the original Star Trek series props.” These “hero” props, designed for close-up shots, boast moving parts and intricate details, earning them the label of “exceedingly rare” by the auction house.
The phaser and communicator have storied histories. The phaser appeared in episodes such as “The Gamesters of Triskelion” and “The Cloud Minders,” while the communicator, with its distinctive spinning dial, featured in “Catspaw,” “Friday’s Child,” and “Day of the Dove.” The original owner, a veteran of Hollywood’s prop industry, is believed to have acquired the items from a Paramount employee, the studio behind Star Trek since 1968.
To ensure their authenticity, Julien’s Auctions enlisted the expertise of Don Hillenbrand, a renowned collector and researcher. Hillenbrand meticulously compared the props with those seen in early episodes and in The Making of Star Trek, a documentary book on the seminal series.
Julien’s Auctions and TCM’s presence at Comic-Con will culminate in an auction on July 28 titled “Harry Potter & Other Heroes.” This event will feature approximately 50 items from the Harry Potter film universe, including a Slytherin house robe ($6,000 to $8,000), a stone knight chess head prop from the first film ($30,000 to $50,000), and a resin golden snitch ($5,000 to $7,000). Marvel fans will find treasures too, such as the original USO shield prop from Captain America: The First Avenger ($8,000 to $10,000), X-Men X2 storyboard illustrations ($200 to $300), and a life-sized Spider-Man model crafted for Madame Tussauds Wax Museums ($2,000 to $3,000).
In anticipation of the latest Deadpool movie, Julien’s Auctions and TCM are also offering a screen-worn button-down shirt featuring images of Ryan Gosling, sported by Ryan Reynolds ($2,000 to $3,000).
As these legendary Star Trek props prepare to find new homes, their resurgence after half a century is a testament to the enduring allure of the final frontier.
