Profiles in History has become the biggest and most recognized purveyor of screen used props and costumes. And while I have often pointed out often sloppy work authenticating and describing items (the two mis-labled Kirk costumes in their last auction, the non-screen used Jem Hadar Battleship a year ago etc.), the fact is they get great items and very good prices for the sellers. The addition of their "reality" TV show (totally staged and bearing no resemblance to reality) has brought them even more potential buyers.
The latest catalog features the collection of Chad Dreier, one of the biggest prop & costume collectord. A most impressive collection, there are many Star Trek items in this catalog and I will be reviewing many of them over the coming weeks.
At the Christie's auction the Enterprise E Captain's chair sold for $ 62,400 (including buyer's premium).
Christie's Auction Result:
Profiles has it listed with a $ 20-30,000 estimate.
So the question is, what is this worth? Well, I think I am fairly confident that it will not bring the $ 62,400 it brought it at the Christie's auction. Yes, Profiles has a lot of people who will pay ridiculous amount for stuff, but the craziness of the Christie's auction has given way to a pretty stable market for non-TOS Star Trek props. I think the chair could go for $ 30,000, but it takes two to tango in an auction. And I just don't see two people paying big $ for TNG items. Most TNG items are pretty consistent in being sanely priced.
Plus, the Christie's auction happened in the pre-economic collapse USA, when people were spending lots of money and re-financing their houses every 6 months.
I will not be surprised if the chair passes if the opening bid is $ 20,000. The key question is not will the under-bidder in the Christie's auction bid here, or even if that bidder will bid as high now. The key question is will the THIRD bidder bid and what was his max bid at Christie's? If the third bidder in Christie's for this item only bid $ 20,000, then take out Dreier as the winner and the chair goes for $ 22,500 at Christies (plus BP).
It will be an interesting auction. Stay tuned for more previews.
Alec