The deal breaker on an original prop chakram is always paperwork.
The other chakram of interest is described as an Icons chakram and it might really be, but the numbered plaque is not the original one for this chakram -- it was purchased separately. And that means that this chakram was probably sold after Icons dissolved. I saw some Icons Star Wars lightsabers and chakrams sold without the numbered plaque. There was one ex-employee who would sell the lightsabers in their cases cheaply ($100) and then want a couple of hundred extra bucks to get the plaque. Legitimately sold items from Icons came with both the certificate and the numbered plaque -- they weren't separated and the numbers matched. This chakram also is in framed display different than the polystone "rock" that the Icons chakrams were sold with -- that's a personal choice (also the numbered plaque was glued to the "rock" display. But you've seen enough on ebay to know what they looked like. If not, go here.
Both of these auctions illustrate the problems that can occur with reproduction props (and you thought you only had to worry about the original props!). Some people think it's perfectly OK to say that it might be an original prop, but they just don't know. Then there is the issue of mismatched COA number and item -- you will run across this from time to time, just be aware that you are not looking at an item that has been separated from part of it's primary documentation.
2 comments:
You mean to say that somehow the chakram (the one suspended by fish wire) might not be an official replica, even if there is an numbred COA?
That this auction should not be there with this discription as it is?
What is the difference between the true original prop, creation and icons chakram anyway?
Kind regards,
Dennis
The problem stems from separating a prop or prop reproduction from it's original paperwork -- you lose the provenance, which is crucial to collectors.
The Creation reproductions were made by the same people in NZ who made the original prop chakrams, but in much greater numbers (edition was 500) and they were sold to fans as a collectible. They were not used on the show, just made to retail. They are slightly different in size as compared to originals.
The Icons chakram was a licensed reproduction made in CA and was made very differently than the NZ chakrams (which were aluminum cast from a mold). The Icons chakrams are sections of a large aluminum tube that was then ground down to shape it.
You didn't mention Todd Coyle's chakrams, but he made and sold them unlicensed until Panzer Davis (now Davis Anderson) licensed his work -- the Creation and Icons chakrams were sold out and there was still a ready market for more chakrams.
A true original metal chakram is a truly rare item and worth between $5-9K, depending on provenance (this is my personal estimate, your mileage may vary). The repros sell on ebay from $250-600 generally. I estimate that there are over 800 repros (original chakram design) and less than 15 originals floating around. The number are much lower for the yin-yang chakrams.
There are differences in size, shape, weight, paint, and paua shells. It can be hard to tell the difference without a lot of hands on experience with all of them.
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