Friday, August 29, 2014

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Klingon disruptor rifle


A Klingon disruptor rifle used on-screen in the 1984 film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. The cast resin rifle measures 26″ long, and is painted maroon, with a metallic gray barrel, and ergonomically-shaped grip and shoulder stock. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Prop Store which states this “Klingon Disruptor Rifle has been inspected and is guaranteed to have been used in the production of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.” In fine, intentionally distressed condition. A very rare opportunity to own this intimidating weapon, synonymous with the battle-hungry Klingons. RR Auction COA.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Claude Debussy Signed book Le Martyre de Saint-Sebastien First edition

Signed book: Le Martyre de Saint-Sebastien. First edition. Paris: Durand & Cie, 1911. Hardcover with slipcase, 9.75 x 12.5, 104 pages. Neatly signed and inscribed in fountain pen on the title page in French by Debussy, and dated 1911. Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG+/None. This stunning book, beautifully bound in black leather with stamped gilt titles and decoration, gilt textblock edges, and stunning hand-painted endpapers, is a fine example inscribed to his own biographer and longtime friend, critic Emile Vuilleremoz. Contained within is the complete score to the five-act musical mystery play by Debussy in collaboration with Gabriele d'Annunzio, which premiered on May 22, 1911, starring Ida Rubinstein with sets and costumes designed by Leon Bakst. A superb book from the prominent composer.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Michael Jackson Thriller Album Signed


Thriller album beautifully signed on the gatefold in silver ink, “All my love, Michael Jackson.” In fine condition. The record is included. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

US Marked Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver


Serial no. 16636, caliber .44. The 7.5″ part round/part octagonal barrel has a bore with strong rifling and even light pitting. This variation is one of the only 1200 to 1500 revolvers that have a frame cut for a shoulder stock and have the associated fourth frame screw. The top rear of the barrel is cut through the “NEW YORK” address for the installation of the factory folding leaf sight. All numbers match with the numbers on the cylinder and steel backstrap only partially legible, however, enough partial digits seem to be in the proper locations. The wedge is not numbered. The barrel address is good and the frame marking “COLT’S / PATENT / U.S.” is very clear. The steel surfaces have been cleaned and the metal has a light gray patina with minor fine pitting on the loading lever. The brass triggerguard retains strong traces of silver plating. The one piece walnut grip has been refinished and shows wear at the butt with a small chip at the toe and heel. The mechanism functions well. The end of the arbor has been remachined to tighten the barrel. This big Colt was made for the US Army in 1858. This is an antique revolver and transfers with no federal restrictions. RR Auction COA.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Very large section of the Titanic’s aft Grand Staircase


A very large section of the Titanic’s aft Grand Staircase, measuring 19 x 2.75, believed to have once been a part of a step, recovered by the Minia and turned by the ship’s carpenter William Parker into a picture frame which he crafted for the Minia’s Chief Officer, James Adams. Piece has six flathead screws around the edges and two small holes to left side. Section is beautifully archivally shadow-boxed and double-matted and framed with a portrait of the staircase and a descriptive plaque to an overall size of 23.5 x 27.5. For years following the disaster in 1912 and following the tragic death of Adams in a train/vehicle collision, this picture frame remained in the family eventually passing into the hands of Gerald T. Mullin, the grandson of James Adams. In the 1990’s the picture frame was publicly displayed as part of a special Titanic exhibition presented by the Vancouver Maritime Museum in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. In August of 1998 the picture frame was dismantled by master woodworker William Ricks of Brandon, Manitoba. Included with this lot is a letter of provenance from noted Titanic collector, researcher, and historian Steve Santini outlining the history of the Parker/Adams picture frame, copies of photographs showing the frame in its original state as displayed at The Vancouver Maritime Museum and during the process of it being disassembled, a copy of the original 1998 artifact release document signed by Gerald T. Mullin and Steve Santini, and photocopies of a Minia crew sign-on sheet which Adams signed as well as a photo of James Adams and the cable ship Minia. Beautifully designed for the first-class passengers on board the Titanic, this preserved artifact is a magnificent reminder of the luxury afforded the wealthy on board. Oversized. RR Auction COA.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Thomas Edison signed postcard photo of Edison as a young man


Fantastic matte-finish 3.5 x 5.5 postcard photo of Edison as a young man in the 1870s, beautifully signed in bold black ink with his famous ‘umbrella’ signature, “Thomas A. Edison.” In fine condition, with light marks to corner tips and slight spreading to ink in the first couple letters of his signature. An infrequently seen image of Edison at the beginning of his long and illustrious career. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Cruella De Vil production cel from 101 Dalmatians



(Walt Disney Studios, 1961) Original production cel featuring Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians. Portrait pose of an angry De Vil in her fur coat measures 6.25 x 8, with overall dimensions of 12.5 x 10. In fine condition.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Goofy production cel from The Art of Skiing

 
(Walt Disney Studios, 1941) Original production cel featuring Goofy from The Art of Skiing, showing the funny character upside down and entangled in his skis. The cel has been applied to a nicely hand-painted background and enhanced with speckled flecks of snow prepared by the Disney Studio to be sold at the Courvoisier Galleries. Image measures 4 x 4, with a mat opening of 7.5 x 8.25; overall dimensions are 13.25 x 15. In fine condition, with uniform toning and a crease to one corner of the mat. The Art of Skiing was historically significant in the series of Goofy cartoons as it was the first to use the ‘Goofy holler’ sound effect, which has since appeared in many other films and cartoons.    

Friday, August 15, 2014

Figaro production cel from Pinocchio


(Walt Disney Studios, 1940) Original production cel featuring Figaro from Pinocchio, showing the kitten under a blanket and looking feisty. The cel has been trimmed and applied to a hand-painted background as prepared by the Disney Studio to be sold at the Courvoisier Galleries. Image measures 3.5 x 5.5, with a mat opening of 6.5 x 6.5. This piece is also framed to an overall size of 12 x 13. The piece has the original Disney Courvoisier Galleries label on the reverse. In fine condition, with scuffs and dings to the frame.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Peter Pan and Tiger Lily production cel from Peter Pan


(Walt Disney Studios, 1953) Original production cel featuring Peter Pan and Tiger Lily from Peter Pan, showing them dancing together during the scene where the Indian Chief and his chorus sing the song ‘What Makes the Red Man Red?’ The cel is placed on a matching copy background. Character images measure 5 x 5.5 and 2.5 x 5.75, with a mat opening of 9.75 x 7.5. This piece is also framed to an overall size of 19.25 x 17.25. In fine condition, with a bit of cracking to paint. A nice cel with great images of this pair of important characters.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Johnny Appleseed production cel from Melody Time


(Walt Disney Studios, 1946) Original production cel featuring Johnny Appleseed from Melody Time. The cel is placed on an airbrushed background, prepared at the Disney Studio to be sold at the Courvoisier Galleries. Image of Johnny Appleseed and the skunk measures 7 x 6.25, with a mat opening of 9.5 x 7.25. The original cream-colored mat is notated in pencil “From ‘Melody Time,’” and has its WDP circular stamp. The mat is in turn matted to an overall size of 16 x 14. In fine condition, with some old tape to edges of mat.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Mickey Mouse production cel from Brave Little Tailor


(Walt Disney Studios, 1938) Original production cel featuring Mickey Mouse from Brave Little Tailor, showing him in costume as the title character. The cel is trimmed to image. Image measures 4.5 x 4, with a mat opening of 6 x 6.25. This piece is also framed to an overall size of 13 x 13.5. In fine condition, with some trivial cracking to paint. Accompanied by a Whitney Museum of American Art exhibition tag. This cartoon was an adaptation of the fairy tale The Valiant Little Tailor and cast Mickey Mouse in the title role, voiced by Walt Disney himself. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1939, but lost to Disney's own Ferdinand the Bull; it is still considered one of Disney’s greatest shorts, and in 1994 the film was chosen as the 26th greatest cartoon of all time by members of the animation field.

Bidding for the Animation Auction opens Aug 14, 2014 & ends Aug 21, 2014 

Friday, August 8, 2014

Signed Postcard Photos of Titanic Survivors


Four postcard photos of Titanic survivor Eva M. Hart at various stages of her life, 3.5 x 5.5 and 5.5 x 3.5, three signed in felt tip or ballpoint by a Titanic survivor, including: Millvina Dean, Eleanor Shuman, and Mrs. E. E. Haisman. The fourth is signed by Dr. R.C. Denney, author of Shadow of the Titanic: The Story of Survivor Eva Hart. In overall fine condition. RR Auction COA.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Paul McCartney Original vintage signed red felt tip self-portrait


Original vintage signed red felt tip self-portrait on an off-white 6.5 x 4 card, nicely signed under the image, “Paul McCartney.” Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 11.25 x 9. In fine condition, with a very light central vertical fold. Accompanied by letters of authenticity from noted Beatles expert Perry Cox and Tracks. Also included is a detailed letter from the woman who obtained the sketch, in part: “This is a self portrait, which Paul McCartney drew & signed, Sunday 30.6.68, whilst visiting Bradford to play with the Black Dyke Mills Band. Myself & four friends were true Beatlemaniacs, this was the first time at 15 yrs old, that we had a chance to meet and talk to a Beatle. We arrived in Saltaire, only to find Paul had already left the rehearsal hall. All our excitement & anticipation ending in nothing. We pleaded & cried & pleaded again. Eventually the hall manager gave in & told us the hotel were Paul was staying. We arrived five minutes before he was due to leave. We were the only girls there…he talked & laughed for awhile. I cried & he wiped away a tear. I kissed his cheek.” Along with the provenance and sketch are an original 10 x 8 glossy publicity photo of McCartney and the Band, a contact sheet of 32 images from the session, a printed article about the recording session, and five second generation photos from that day. The Black Dyke Mills Band, formed in 1855, was one of the oldest and most successful brass bands in the world, and one of Apple Records’ first signed groups. The day that this sketch was obtained, Paul was with them recording their performance of the Lennon-McCartney composition ‘Thingumybob,’ which would become their first single for Apple Records. They also recorded a monumental performance of Yellow Submarine for the single’s b-side. An excellent self-portrait, made even more desirable by its extensive accompaniments, capturing a fruitful day of collaboration in the studio. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.