Tuesday, August 18, 2020

BEWARE! - Avoid eBay seller "Beholdkingjr"

 Hello everybody!

I've decided to do something I haven't done before, but that I have wanted to do for quite some time now. I've created a new category named "BEWARE!" to help expose the many SCAM cases that way too many Xena collectors suffer or have suffered. On the one hand to give them due visibility, and on the other to (hopefully) help other fellow Xenites NOT to fall victim to the same despicable tricks (and people) in the future.

Today, I bring you the case of eBay "seller" beholdkingjr, aka Joshua "J.R." Merino —as brought to my attention by fellow collector Zak aka zeeproptreasures.

I have been aware of this seller for quite some time. He's been selling extremely overpriced Xena replicas on eBay for months —many of which were VERY inconsistent. Some showcased photos of one type of chakram (i.e. a Todd's Costumes replica) while the description said it was something else (i.e. a Creation Ent. replica). Others mixed replicas that had nothing to do with each other (i.e. a Russian chakram replica, with a Creation Ent. shadowbox). And then there were listings that mixed photos of different "brands" of chakrams, as if they were photos of the same piece.

His descriptions have always been vague, and it's been VERY frustrating to see unsuspecting Xenites buying items from him that: A) Didn't really match his "grand" descriptions; or B) Had recently been purchased elsewhere for a regular price, and were now being resold for double or triple their value. Those things are already highly questionable on their own —but it hasn’t been until now that I’ve had clear confirmation that he’s been outright SCAMMING people (or at least trying to).

I’ve asked Zak permission to share his testimony —and he’s kindly agreed to share his experience with you all. So here you have it in his own words:

"Hi everyone! (...) I just wanted to warn other collectors about a particular eBay seller who scammed me regarding a pair of alleged Creation Ent chakrams earlier this year. The seller's eBay username is "beholdkingjr," and his name is Joshua "J. R." Merino. Back in February, I happened across his listing for both editions of Creation's chakram replicas with their shadow boxes, and it seemed like a nice opportunity to collect both at once. The photos of the items looked like the genuine article as well. I ordered them. A week later, I received them. The shadow boxes were authentic, but immediately upon unboxing the chakrams, I knew something was wrong. Turns out he sent me a yin/yang chakram from Todd Coyle's Silver Screen Replicas line and an original chakram made by Alexandr Eremin, a Russian artist with whose replicas I was already familiar. I confronted him, opened an "item not as described" case with eBay support, and eventually received a full refund, but not before he gave me a lecture about how I "wasn't licensed to tell whether they were genuine Creation replicas." I have attached photos, so you can see what I was expecting versus what I received". J.R. is still selling Xena replicas on eBay, and I believe he has two or three chakrams currently listed. I advise other collectors to avoid him at all costs".

The photos Zak mentions are the ones that follow:


Zak also adds: "My one regret! The return process took so long that the listing expired before I could leave him any negative feedback. If eBay would permit me to, I would tear him a new one, 80-character feedback limit be damned. My biggest fear is that he will continue to scam other collectors, so I want to prevent that if I can".

Sadly, Zak's case is far from the only one. In my various years as a Xena collector, I've run across one-too-many scams —many of which either affected people close to me, or myself directly. There's little we can do against them (as the culprits just change nick-names or open new eBay accounts), BUT there's something we can do: we can DENOUNCE them, and SHARE them, to at least minimize their impact.

There are quite a few unscrupulous people making profit out of scamming Xena fans out there. So be careful, and double-check with other collectors if you can. And if you feel you've been scammed and you want or need some help, don't hesitate to let me know!

Thanks again to Zak for his testimony.

Battle on friends!


Sunday, August 16, 2020

For Sale: Atle's Splitting Yin Yang Chakram replica

 Hello girls and boys!

A Xenite called Atle has contacted me to let you all know that their Splitting Yin Yang Chakram replica is for sale!

As you can see from the photos, it's one of the licensed replicas produced by Todd's Costumes --and it's number 354/1000. It comes with the COA and is in mint condition.


Atle says price is $1100 (negotiable). If you're interested, write them at:

atleaton@hotmail.com

Have a good Sunday you all!

EDIT: I'm happy to announce that the item has been SOLD! Thanks to the buyer and to everyone who saw and shared this entry. Battle on!


Tuesday, June 9, 2020

The Turners Auction (II)

Hello everybody!

How are you? I've been meaning to share something with you for a time: all the different photos that I've been "recollecting" from the Internet of the Turners Auction over the years.

As I mentioned on my previous post about it, the Turners Auction was a huge prop sale that took place in New Zealand in 2001. It was the first official Xena auction ever organized, and it also included props from other Renaissance Pictures shows, such as Hercules, Young Hercules, Cleopatra 2525 and Jack of All Trades.

Unlike the Yahoo / It's a Wrap! auction, I've never seen official photos of the pieces one by one. Only by lots, filling every corner of several warehouses. This is the map:


Anyhow, without further delay, here are the photos that I've been able to scavenge (most courtesy of New Xenaland). I hope you like them!

First come all the photos concerning props and atrezzo elements:


Top Left: Can you spot the sais?
Amazon swords (left) and Gab staffs (right
Bottom Right: Xena's coffin, before it was cut in pieces!

Bottom right: Katanas from AFIN
Is that a huge Ares head?
Now let's take a look at all the costumes:

Bottom Left: Look how many roman costumes!

Bottom Left: Are those Hercules pants?
Top Left: Valkyrie costumes!




That's all I've got --but if you happen to have other photos from the Turners Auction and feel like sharing, it'll be great to take a look at them!

Happy week!

Sunday, May 31, 2020

For Sale: Amanda's Collection

Hey girls and boys!

Amanda, a fellow Xenite, has asked me to share the news that she's letting go some items from her collection. Let's take a look at what she's selling:

- XENA CLONING SUITCASE PROP

First of all, Amanda's offering this one-of-a-kind piece: Xena's Cloning Suitcase, as seen in the S6 episodes "Send In The Clones" and "Soul Possession". This piece comes with its It's a Wrap! COA.


The suitcase has two compartments: one for the rusty modern-day chakram (not included), and another with 2 vials containing Gabrielle and Xena's hair! These are the samples that Alti and her scientist use to clone Xena and Gabrielle in the episode --and in theory come from Lucy Lawless and Renée O'Connor themselves!

The suitcase was also used in the episode "Soul Possession", when present-day Gabrielle and Xena (in Joxer's body) come back from their honeymoon. You can see Joxer grab it from the car with all the tags on it.

- CHAKRAM TOY PROTOTYPE

Next in the list is this unique item: the prototype used to create the short-lived (and sought after) toy line of Xena's chakram!


This prototype is a hard plastic casting that has been tested and show some wear. Size is 9 7/8 in diameter. Plus, Amanda tells me that it was used for promotional purposes, and that it was also taken to conferences and meetings when promoting the line.

- BLUE RESIN KATANA PROP

Finally, we have a very rare production used prop from the finale episodes of Xena: a Higuchi milicia katana, similar to Gabrielle's dragon katana.


This piece is made of hard resin and real blue fabric, and shows signs of wear and use. Amanda tells me she acquired it from the well-known collector Xenasbard, and that it has always been displayed with care, preserved exactly as she received it.

***

If interested, get in touch with Amanda at:

onesweetangel89@hotmail.com

Stay well people!

Thursday, May 7, 2020

My Collection (XII): Xena's Rusty "present day" Chakram

Hey again!

To complete the pieces that I've been recently showing on Facebook, I also bring you another new item of my collection: Xena's rusty chakram as seen in the S6 episode "Send In The Clones".


This is the "real" chakram that Alti gives to Xena's clone in the present day, all dirty and rusty. I don't know why, it always fascinated me!

A friend, Epiphane David, provided the two "virgin" unpainted chakrams, and I took care of the whole weathering process. It was quite an experiment, but it was super-fun, and I think both chakrams ended up great!

Here you have some more photos:



And finally, a photo of the episode, for comparison. 

Photo credit: AUSXIP
PS: If you like Xena prop and replicas, and want to share or discuss about your stuff, feel free to join our new Facebook group: Xena Prop Masters!

Battle on!

My Collection (XI): Xena's Breastplate, Gauntlets & Armbands

Hello people!

I wanted to show you very quickly a couple of items from my collection that I've been sharing over in the Xena Prop Treasures Facebook page.

These newest pieces of mine are all part of Xena's armor: her iconic breastplate, gauntlets and armbands! Here's the ensemble:


The materials are genuine copper and leather, exactly like the armor seen onscreen! And I must say, apart from gorgeous, these pieces are very special to me, because I personally did all the leather parts and rivets.

I leave you a couple of pics of the "making of" :)



PS: If you like Xena prop and replicas, and want to share or discuss about your stuff, feel free to join our new Facebook group: Xena Prop Masters!

Stay safe, everyone!

Friday, April 24, 2020

Xena Trilogy Costumes - Design Sheets

Hello Xenites!

Thanks to the blog Costumes Urbaines I have found a very rare piece of Xena history: the original costume designs done for the Hercules episodes in which Xena first appeared!




These designs come from Hercules & Xena - The Legendary Wikia, and are allegedly made by costume designer Barbara Darragh. And what's more interesting, they are NOT made for Lucy Lawless, but for the actress Vanessa Angel (who was originally cast as Xena). How amazing is that?

If you take a closer look, you'll see Xena was meant to sport a bat necklace. Which (as my friend and fellow Xenite Doug from Xena Warrior Replicas pointed out), actually exists!

See it here at Yourprops.com

That has led us to realize that Xena's "evil" armor was supposed to be all bat-themed. The shoulder-guards (which I had always thought were dragon wings) are actually BAT wings! Mind-blowing.

If you need further proof, see how the costume's corset also has a bat medallion -- at the very bottom of the belly!

Also at Yourprops.com

There's always something new to learn, don't you all agree?

If interested, you can find other similar costume designs in the following link:

https://hercules-xena.fandom.com/wiki/Costume_Design?fbclid=IwAR2y8WTSrnzzhmyeoSpm6EraifDrQWmvqHBpaHcWkG9vFm46eZ7TgIU18I8

PS: Of course, my thanks also to our third Musketeer, Epiphane David! :)

Thursday, April 16, 2020

PODCAST - Xena at the Te Papa Museum

Hello friends!

I just came across this very interesting podcast, done by the Te Papa Museum in New Zealand. It's all about their amazing Xena costume, and most importantly, counts with the collaboration of N'gila Dickson: the main mind behind the awesome costumes of XWP, and Xena's in particular.

N'gila also designed all the costumes from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and won an Oscar for her work. She's no doubt incredibly talented!

I leave you the podcast link below:

https://soundcloud.com/te_papa/ours-ep-15-xena-costume-web-version


It's only 6 min long, so you'll hear it in a jiffy!

Battle on!

Monday, March 30, 2020

Xena at the Smithsonian (part III)

Hello everyone!

I hope you're doing ok during these weird times! In the meantime, here in confinement, I wanted to share these images that I found online, courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1299828

Just look at ALL those awesome details!

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Cheers! :)