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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 movie 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 film 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 movie prop 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...

Movie 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 movie 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 film 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 film props and costumes, together with associated ephemera from blueprints to continuity Polaroids. Please contact us with what you have.

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

20th Anniversary
 
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Latest News

27th January 2012: A simply stunning Jim Henson Studios piece listed today

3rd January 2012: Propmasters look forward to offering you a wonderful selection of original props and costumes in 2012

PROPMASTERS WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL  HOLIDAY SEASON AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

13th December 2011: A stunning INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM original costume listed

1st December 2011: 'MERLIN' Uther Pendragon's Sword listed

29th November 2011: A stunning piece from the BBC Television series 'MERLIN' will be listed this week

11th November 2011: On this Armistace day our total respect and thanks to those who have fallen so that we may stand

15th September 2011: THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES hero Freddie Highmore Costumes listed

14th September 2011: CUTTHROAT ISLAND prop listing updated

9th September 2011: THE EAGLE HAS LANDED (1976) Hero costume listed

7th September 2011: IN BRUGES Hero costumes listed today

6th September 2011: Ten New Additions listed today

12th August 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Flash Gordon (1980) Ming's Sword added

27th July 2011: New website feature - 'Miscellaneous' Category now has a drop down sub menu

27th July 2011: Star Wars ANH, 1977, Costume listed today

20th July 2011: Further Harry Potter Wands listed shortly

14th July 2011: To celebrate the release of the final HARRY POTTER movie, we will be going 'Wand' crazy today!

11th July 2011: Propmasters are proud to be able to announce an incredible Costume Archive

7th June 2011: 'Mega Update' Today with nine new additions

3rd June 2011: Exclusive photos of the 'Narnia' Prop Exhibit at Disneyworld (part 2) now available on our Facebook page

1st June 2011: ALIEN (1979) Creature Hand listed

27th May 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Supergirl Costume added

18th May 2011: Exclusive photos of the 'Narnia' Prop Exhibit at Disneyworld now available to view on our Facebook page

13th May 2011: New Additions listed today

7th May 2011: New Additions resume next week

7th April 2011: Great Indiana Jones piece listed today

4th April 2011: 'Mega Monday' Update With Ten New Additions

11th March 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Doctor Who Peri's Top added

7th March 2011: Ten New Additions Listed

3rd March 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Blake's 7 Avon Costume added

25th February 2011: Incredible piece listed, Charles Knode's production 'Bible' from 1492:Conquest Of Paradise

21st February 2011: Last and the best of the 1492:Conquest Of Paradise original costume designs listed

16th February 2011: 1492: Conquest Of Paradise original costume design listings begin

10th February 2011: A stunning miniature from 'Event Horizon' listed

9th February 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Ripley's Harpoon Gun added

4th February 2011: Remember to follow us on Facebook for regular and up to date news

4th February 2011: Propmasters - The Collection, Blake's 7 Dayna Flightsuit added

2nd February 2011: Last of the costume designs for Hound Of The Baskervilles listed today

1st February 2011: Sherlock Holmes original costume design listed

28th January 2011: Hound Of The Baskervilles (1978) original costume designs begin to be listed

18th January 2011: Propmasters YouTube Channel created

18th January 2011: An unusual collaboration of two iconic figures, Ridley Scott and John McEnroe

13th January 2011: Charles Knode's first ever costume designs listed

4th January 2011: As a courtesy to our customers, Propmasters will NOT be increasing any prices in respect of the new increased VAT rate, which came in to effect today in the UK

30th December 2010: Propmasters would like to wish you all a very happy New Year

29th November 2010: BLADE RUNNER incredibly important piece listed today

24th November 2010: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK prop listed

23rd November 2010: Final LEGEND Costume Designs listed

22nd November 2010: Incredible T-100 Terminator Jacket listed

18th November 2010: Propmasters - The Collection, Batman Returns Animatronic Hero Penguin added

11th November 2010: LEGEND Costume Design listings continue

5th October 2010: Last of the BRAVEHEART Costume Designs listed

16th September 2010:  Jabberwocky Costume Design listings now include screenshots

14th September 2010: Life Of Brian Costume Design listings now include screenshots

10th September 2010: Jabberwocky Costume Designs listed

9th September 2010: Propmasters - The Collection, Charles Knode's Presentation Script added

8th September 2010: Braveheart Wallace, Mel Gibson, Original Costume Designs listed

6th September 2010: Braveheart Original Costume Design listings continue

1st September 2010: THE CHARLES KNODE ARCHIVE listings continue 6th September

27th August 2010: Braveheart Costume Designs from The Charles Knode Archive begin to be listed

26th August 2010: Last of the James Bond - Never Say Never Again Costume Designs from The Charles Knode Archive listed today

23rd August 2010: THE CHARLES KNODE ARCHIVE

20th August 2010: Exciting news to be announced 23rd August

16th July 2010: Blade Trinity Costume listed

15th July 2010: Raiders Of The Lost Ark Costume listed today

2nd July 2010: Iconic Alien prop listed

1st July 2010: Spice Girls Victoria 'Posh Spice' Dress listed

29th June 2010: Michael Collins (1996) Costume listed

28th June 2010: Raiders Of The Lost Ark Costume listed today

25th June 2010: New items will be listed daily this week

25th June 2010: Raiders Of The Lost Ark Costume listed today

21st June 2010: New items will be listed daily this week





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
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