Paul Fraser Collectibles' Top Five finest pieces of movie memorabilia Movie memorabilia items continue to be among the most bankable collectibles on today's markets...
News-Antique.com - Jul 14,2011 - Christie's has announced that it will be selling paintings, furniture and furnishings which featured in the cult British film Withnail and I (1987) at it South Kensington saleroom on Sunday, 31 July 2011 (see: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=78&docid=7469).
Movie memorabilia remains one of the most bankable niches on the collectibles markets. But which pieces have dominated at the world's top auctions?
Here are Paul Fraser Collectibles' Top Five finest pieces of movie memorabilia...
(Images are at: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=78&docid=7480)
#5 Original poster for Fritz Lang's 1927 epic, Metropolis
Did you know that Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett is a big sci-fi fan? In March of last year, Hammett was 'outed' when a treasured gem from his collection, an extremely rare movie poster for Fritz Lang's groundbreaking sci-fi classic Metropolis, was auction in Dallas.
It's unbelievable to think now, but Lang's masterpiece wasn't well-liked by American audiences upon its original release in 1927. After confusing US theatre crowds, massive edits were made to the film - essentially cutting its heart out.
But, fast-forward some 90 years and Metropolis's legacy as the standard-setter for all epic science fiction movies is well-established. Original release posters for the film are among the rarest of the rare, and are especially treasured by collectors.
Fortunately, Hammett's need to clear some wall space gave bidders a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of sci-fi history. An original poster sold for $47,800. Also among the guitar god's treasures was a Swedish poster from 1933's King Kong which realised $28,680.
#4 James Bond film poster for Diamonds are Forever
The top lot of a Christie's sale of classic movie posters last month (June 15) included a valuable poster for the classic James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever (1971, Eon/United Artists), starring Sean Connery.
The original hand-painted concept artwork by Robert E McGinnis for the poster campaign was signed by the artist. It was expected to do well, carrying a £18,000-24,000 listing, but it easily tripled the top of that range to sell for £79,250 ($129,970) to an American collector.
Not only was this a world record price for any item of James Bond film poster memorabilia, it was also a world record price for a concept artwork at auction, according to Christie's.
#3 Rick Deckard's Blade Runner blaster gun (bought for $225,000)
According to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, it's only another eight years until Los Angeles is overrun with murderous rogue robots, called Replicants. But at least one collector will be prepared after winning the actual blaster gun used by Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) at a 2009 auction.
While a few rubber stunt guns have surfaced on the market, this particular "Hero blaster" was thought to have been lost for decades. That is, until it emerged after 25 years from the collection of Jeff Walker, a Hollywood marketing specialist who'd bought it from the film's production company.
The prop was originally built by melding together two firearms: a Steyr-Mannlicher Model .222 SL receiver and a Carter Arms .44 police bulldog double-action revolver. Deckard's blaster appeared
