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Propmasters, a history of...
David Oliver (founder Propmasters) has fond memories of
when a boy being surrounded by the 'business'. His father
having a 40 year established Vehicle Supply Company to the
Film and Television Industry, it was quite often he would
find himself on a film set or location. "I think my very
earliest memory was walking through the Bugsy Malone
interior street set at Pinewood", David reflects, "...this
along with a multitude of others to include Superman,
Batman, Aliens, various Bonds, the Indiana Jones series,
etc, etc". "I remember seeing the full scale Aliens APC
outside the 007 Stage at Pinewood, it was subsequently
scrapped. A fate which also befell the main Truck from
Raiders of the Lost Ark which Indy goes under, this was in
our 'back yard' for ages before going to that prop
graveyard, back then there was little or no interest in such
items which today are regarded as icons and I was too young
at that time to fully appreciate everything".
His very first prop acquisitions were direct from the old
Pinewood Prop Store itself in the mid 1980's, two Bugsy
Malone Guns, the James Bond You Only Live Twice Helicopter,
the Live And Let Die Rolex Watch and the Shark Gun Attaché
Case. "These were the very early days. Such things were not
regarded at all, let alone collected". David still owns the
working hero version Bugsy Malone Gun today, the two Live
and Let Die pieces have been subsequently sold in the 2001
Christies Bond Auction to help offset his mortgage and the
Helicopter was sold a few months after it's purchase to the
James Bond Collectors Club for what now would be regarded as
'pocket money'! Since those 'glory days' David's business
and collection has continued to flourish.
Perhaps David's best and most internationally known find
thus far was when he purchased an incredible inventory of
Indiana Jones, Roger Rabbit and Willow Props from one of the
leading Property Masters in the United Kingdom in the very
early 1990's. "I remember filling a Van to the brim, there
was just so much, I've kept a few pieces back for my
collection but the vast majority has sadly now gone but It
is interesting to see certain pieces circulate around the
market, especially as they have really soared in value!".
David is, and will always be, fore mostly a collector and
like all collectors the 'buzz' and 'thrill' of the tracking
down and the purchase never dwindles, be warned....this
hobby is 100% addictive!
Propmasters over the years has supplied Planet Hollywood,
the major Auction Houses throughout the world and of course,
most importantly, the collector. We have put exhibitions on
at various events (including for 20th Century Fox) and
museums and also are regularly contacted by the media for
items. We are also constantly asked to verify the
authenticity of certain items.
The incredible growth of the
hobby...
Prop and Costume collecting is relatively new. It has
only really boomed since the turn of the 1990's. Mainly, it
has to be said, down to the formation of Planet Hollywood
and the mass publicity that brought to this field of
collecting. Now there are numerous specialist dealers,
auctions and even stores. The most recent trend is for the
Film Production Companies to actually sell their props,
etc., direct via auction sites, from cushions to cars!
The popularity of collecting seems to have no end as more
and more collectors join the snowball in search of props and
costumes. We have sold items within the last 24 months which
we have seen more than quadruple in price, amazing to
consider we are talking 'thousands' rather than 'hundreds'.
Prop collecting is now very firmly established which we are
more than proud to see as when we first started the reaction
was more of a "...what do you want that for?" rather than a
"....wow, where did you get that!" as it is today.
Wanted to buy/trade...
We are always interested in authentic screen seen props
and costumes, together with associated ephemera from
blueprints to continuity Polaroid's. Please contact us with
what you have.
Why your Certificate is
Important...
Your Certificate of Authenticity is a very important
Document. Please look after it and hold it in almost as much
regard as the item it is detailing. History and Provenance
is important with the majority of collectibles but
particularly when Props, etc., are concerned, for the most
obvious reasons. Your Certificate will greatly aide you
should you ever choose to re-sell your item and is a
constant guarantee of the item's authenticity.
Copyright Information...
All items sold are sold without copyright. No
infringement of copyright is implied or intended. Should any
parties feel that their copyright has been violated then
please contact us as we will be happy to rectify any
accidental infringements. All items sold are sold for
private collection purposes only, from collector to
collector.
All images and text within this site are strictly copyright
Propmasters. Reproduction, in any form, is forbidden |
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