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!

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! :)

Monday eBay Roundup (XXIII)

Hey people!

These past few months I've been running short of time, but I couldn't miss posting some new very interesting and very juice pieces recently listed on eBay. Come on and let's take a look!

- GABRIELLE'S S6 VELVET SKIRT

   > Character: Gabrielle during most of S6

   > Material: Velvet and metal

   > Papers: COA from Turners Auction

   > Seller: deguston

   > Price: $2,250 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: Well, this piece only deserved an entry by itself. This skirt was part of Gabrielle's main S6 red velvet costume, and it's an amazing piece of craftsmanship. Quite expensive, but it was worn by Renée O'Connor herself - listing says it has her wardrobe tag sewn into the waist band seam. All things considered, the price of the skirt seems more or less in line with other similar top notch XWP costume pieces.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351682209276

- GABRIELLE RESIN SINGLE SAI PROP

   > Character: Gabrielle during S5-6

   > Material: Resin

   > Papers: London Propstore paperwork

   > Seller: xena.gabrielle

   > Price: GBP 999.0 / $1,449.70 plus shipping

   > Opinion: This is a stunt version of one of Gabrielle's sais. It's a single piece (not a pair) and it's made of resin. The finish and the shape are not as refined as if it were a "hero" version (for close-ups), as this version was probably made to be briefly seen onscreen during fights. It should be noted the tip is broken and glued (as seen in the photos). In my opinion, more expensive than it should be.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121922523719

- CREATION ENT REPLICA SAIS #158

   > Manufacturer: Creation Entertainment

   > Number: 158/1000

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: oddandends62

   > Price: $350 plus shipping

   > Opinion: I've reviewed this replica many times, so I'll keep it short. This is one of the highest numbers I've seen (highest Ed number I've seen is 168 in sais) - I doubt they completed the 1000 units their license covered. Price is very reasonable, and they ship worldwide, but be warned the shipping will be high, and so will probably be Customs. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281971586014

- H:TLJ KING DIADORUS SKIRT

   > Character: King Diadorus in Hercules S2 "The Apple"

   > Material: Brown silk

   > Papers: COA from Turners Auction

   > Seller: lady.stark

   > Price: $200 plus shipping

   > Opinion: I have no knowledge about this piece, but I think it might interest someone. Lady Stark is an usual Xenaverse trader-seller, and I'm sure she'll answer any of your questions.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191772730447

- PROP ARMBANDS

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Metal. Leather.

   > Papers: COA from Turners Auction

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 184,23 EUR / $208.02 plus shipping

   > Opinion: There's no much to say about this due to the lack of information. Fox and Unicorn are reliable sellers. Most of the listing is in german, but f you don't speak it Google Translate may help :p

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331677556677

- EGYPTIAN LEATHER COLLAR PROP

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Leather. Beads. Cord.

   > Papers: COA from Turners Auction

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 285,46 EUR / $322.33 plus shipping

   > Opinion: Same seller/s, so same feedback here. Still, I'm sure this will interest someone. I's a nice looking piece, only a bit pricey.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331684304652

***

This is it! Fingers crossed I'll be able to maintain the pace and public some entry soon. I definitely hope so!

Cheers!

Monday eBay Roundup (XXII)

Hello Xenites!

The Xena prop/replica world has been very quiet these past weeks. But today there are some items on eBay that I'm sure will prove worth your attention. Let's take a look!

- SILVER DISC / SHIELD PROP FROM S4 "THE WAY"

   > Character: Background object in S4 "The Way"

   > Material: Urethane resin

   > Papers: COA from It's a Wrap!

   > Seller: whomac7

   > Price: $99 (already $470!!) plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: This shield is ON FIRE! Wow! This is obviously a gorgeous piece (you can find a very complete description in the listing) and the starting bid was very reasonable. Now the bids are skyrocketing, which is always an adrenaline rush!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161809199779

- DRAGON HELMET PROP

   > Character: Campbell? Fraley?

   > Material: Urethane resin?

   > Papers: Not mentioned

   > Seller: njmoondragon

   > Price: $75 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: Another rare and quite interesting looking prop. The seller mentions to have acquired this piece in the Yahoo It's a Wrap! Auctions, but no word is said about the COA. The insides of the helmet are marked with the words "Campbell" and "Fraley". Price is quite low.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262026600579

- TODD'S COSTUMES Y&Y CHAKRAM REPLICA

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes
   > Number: 375?/1000

   > COA: Not mentioned

   > Seller: lilsis651

   > Price: $299 plus shipping

   > Opinion: This one has been lurking around for a while - it's the third or fourth time the seller re-lists this chakram replica. Price is not bad, but before bidding but aware the paint is chipped in several places. It's probably something that CAN be fixed, but I point it out so there are no unpleasant surprises too late. There's no mention about the paperwork.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231678761355

- MARTO'S 10th ANNIVERSARY GOLD XENA SWORD

   > Manufacturer: Marto of Toledo
   > Number: Not mentioned

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: wschaefer123

   > Price: $895 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: I don't usually bother to review Marto's Xena sword replicas, but this one is a bit more special: it's part of the 10th Anniversary Gold line. So it's fancier :p What a price, however!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252078123156

- MARTO'S XENA "SUPER" KATANA REPLICA

   > Manufacturer: Marto of Toledo
   > Number: Not mentioned

   > COA: Not mentioned

   > Seller: westsidediscount007

   > Price: $179.99 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: Same here. Not a big lover of this katana replica. It's a nice collectible, neatly made, but not accurate. Attention! This one here is missing a couple of pieces!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311437502817

- MARTO'S XENA "SUPER" KATANA REPLICA

   > Manufacturer: Marto of Toledo
   > Number: Not mentioned

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: supasella2012

   > Price: $390 (or Buy Now for $520) plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: The very same kind of replica, but from a different seller. So, same opinion. This one comes with the original box and all the paperwork. It's a tad more expensive, though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301733647121

****

Is it me, or the "Only USA" seems to be becoming a thing? I mean, almost all the items I see on eBay lately are "Only USA" - what's happening? What is the position of international collectors (such as myself) if sellers don't wish to ship abroad anymore? That's something to think about.

Stay tuned for more, people!

ATTENTION! The 20th Anniv NZ Auction is happening NOW!

ATTENTION ATTENTION Xenites!

The 20th Anniversary NZ Auction (including props and crew gifts from Hercules, Xena, Jack of All Trades, Legend of the Seeker and LOTR) is happening NOW! RIGHT NOW!

The Auction is ONLINE, taking place in the Official Facebook Page of the Auction. This is the direct link to the Auction's FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/xenaconventionnzauction/info?tab=page_info

Screen-cap of some of the items being auctioned.

About the items being auctioned, Anna Low (person in charge and main responsible of the 20th Anniv Auction) says the following:

www.annalowhorseproductions.com 
We have been using the costumes from the Turners auction in 2000. The stunt doubles, the riding doubles and the horse costumes. We will be auctioning off most of our costumes, and crew gifts from us and other local film and TV crew March 2015. All items will be hand picked and verified by Anna Low as authentic and will come with a COA from the person selling the item. All items will come from cast and crew.

Each Pacific Renaissance item has a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) and copy of original Turners Auction receipt. Also for auction are 'crew gifts' - given to the crew who worked on the productions. Including an AWESOME crew chakram like the one we saw here.

The crew chakram being auctioned.

If you're interested in bidding, know that you must post your bid for each item in the photo's comments. Higher bidder wins when the auction closes on May 1st, at Midnight NZST. Shipping fees will apply.

Comments including further information on the items are also welcomed.

Spread the news and good luck!

"Monday" eBay Roundup (XVII)

Hello all!

I know, I know! It's not Monday :p But yesterday I had NO time to finish this up, so this week we have a "Tuesday eBay Roundup" :)

- AMAZON BEADS

   > Character: Amazon/s

   > Material: Beads. Twine.

   > Papers: COA from Turners

   > Seller: lady.stark

   > Price: $25 (or Buy Now for $23.50) plus shipping

   > Opinion: Collector Lady Stark brings us several items today, many of them from our loved amazons. These beads (like most of her items) come with paperwork form the Turners Auction - which means they are almost always poorly identified. But they look very nice, don't they?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201300010288

- AMAZON NECKLACE AND EARRINGS SET

   > Character: Amazon/s

   > Material: Beads. Cord. Metal.

   > Papers: COA from Turners

   > Seller: lady.stark

   > Price: $50 (or Buy Now for $65) plus shipping

   > Opinion: More anonymous amazon jewelry. Price is higher here but I'd say quite reasonable. I'm sure someone will fancy them for sure :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201300011521

- SET OF 2 BRACELETS

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Metal?

   > Papers: Not included (from Cousin Liz collection)

   > Seller: lady.stark

   > Price: $50 (or Buy Now for $65) plus shipping

   > Opinion: This pair of bracelets come also from Turners, but with no paperwork. They were acquired through the famous collector Cousin Liz, probably after she passed away and all her collection was sold. Most of Cousin Liz's items came from Turners.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191527663294

- SCREEN-USED COSTUME OF JOXER AS HAGAAR

   > Character: Joxer as Hagaar in S5 "Married with Fishsticks"

   > Material: Resin (with metal rod inside)

   > Papers: COA from It's a Wrap!

   > Seller: lady.stark

   > Price: $600 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: This one is a one-of-a-kind. The pajamas worn by Ted Raimi as Hagaar in the infamous episode "Married with Fishsticks". It looks to be in very good condition. Quite a price, but you can make an offer if interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201302141976

- FX PROP SKULL

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Resin 

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 188.33 € / $204.26 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: LOL these props are priceless! Fox&Unicorn (remember them from this entry?) always sell original stuff, but often quite bizarre.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331421179168

- WOODEN NECKLACE

   > Character: Amazon/s?

   > Material: Wood. Wooden beads. Cord.

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 39.55 € / $42.90 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: More random jewelry from Turners. It could be amazon, or so I think. Most probably used by a secondary/background character.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231487554148

- RED WINEGLASS

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Glass?

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 78.22 € / $84.84 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: This one is cool - a prop wineglass. It doesn't clarify if the material is glass or some kind of plastic, but probably the latest. Do ask before you bid, in case the shipping is long. I'm sure you don't want to receive it all shattered, just in case.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231487559533

- SILK AND LEATHER ASIAN ARMGUARDS

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Silk. Leather.

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 228.56 € / $247.90 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: These are my favorites today. The listing says "Asian" but they kinda look like they could've been used in the S4 India episodes. Very pretty and elegant, yes sir - but not cheap at all!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231487569137

- WOODEN NECKLACE

   > Character: Amazon/s?

   > Material: Wood. Wooden beads. Cord.

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 69.86 € / $75.77 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: Another necklace (wow! so many today). What else can I say?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331465260813

- DANCER SKIRT

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Fabric

   > Papers: Includes Turners COA + A copy of the auction flyer

   > Seller: fox-and-unicorn

   > Price: 119.80 € / $216.70 plus shipping (or Make Offer)

   > Opinion: This prop skirt is also unidentified. So no clue where it might have been used (Hercules? Young Hercules? Xena?). It probably was used several times in different episodes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231444120164

***

That's all for today. Hurry up if you want to bid, some of the items end today.

Stay tuned for more!

Cheers

Monday eBay Roundup (XVI)

Hey everyone!

It's been a while since I last did one of these. It's about time that I started doing them again, don't you think? So let's start and take a look at the Xena props and replicas we can find right now on eBay!

- AMAZON "HELICON" SWORD PROP

   > Character: Amazon Warrior or Queen in S6 "To Helicon and Back"

   > Material: Resin (with metal rod inside)

   > Papers: COA from Turners

   > Seller: sonofkrypton22

   > Price: $499.99 plus shipping

   > Opinion: This kind of sword was used as the trademark Amazon weapon in the episode "To Helicon and Back" - and the color differentiated the rank of the warrior. From memory I reckon seeing only the different queens using these swords, but I'm not 100% sure. I do remember that Gab's was honey yellow, and this one is black, so it's not hers. Anyhow, whomever it might have belonged to, this prop shows visible wear from its set use. It comes from collector Otsillac - which always means it's always legit and usually also a bit pricey.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141589880712

- PROP SQUID HELMET

   > Character: Several characters in several episodes

   > Material: Foam rubber

   > Papers: Not included

   > Seller: geremea

   > Price: $139.99 plus shipping (or Buy Now for $199.99)

   > Opinion: The listing doesn't include the COA nor info about the episodes in which the prop have been used, but I'm pretty sure I've seen this kind of helmet in some episode - I think perhaps on Hercules? Please let me know if you recognize this from somewhere!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231494246892

- GOLDEN BRACELET PROP

   > Character: Uknown

   > Material: Foam rubber

   > Papers: Included

   > Seller: jamekean.xtsrow4i

   > Price: $0.99 (already $10.50) plus shipping

   > Opinion: Nice jewelry prop, although not much information about its origins. The seller says it comes with COA but doesn't specify - however I believe it's a Turners COA. Very affordable!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111607886377

- CREATION ENT YIN YANG CHAKRAM #406

   > Manufacturer: Creation Entertainment 

   > Number: 406/500

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: scoobygirl099

   > Price: $400 plus shipping

   > Opinion: What is there left to say about a piece like this? :) Late edition, so it has the NZ stamp (visible in the photo). On the other hand, later numbers had a quite good color scheme and weathering, far better done that some of the midline numbers. Price is reasonable, but for some reason the price of Creation Y&Y chakrams has been dropping as of late. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271787944243

- CREATION ENT GABRIELLE STAFF #338

   > Manufacturer: Creation Entertainment 

   > Number: 338/500

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: scoobygirl099

   > Price: $400 plus shipping

   > Opinion: Demand for Creation staffs tends to put prices around $200-300, so this one might be tagged as "overpriced". All things considered, this particular staff doesn't seem to be as accurate as earlier numbers, so you might want to consider waiting for a better opportunity. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271787943897

- TODD'S YIN YANG CHAKRAM #495

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes
   > Number: 495/1000

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: tarrante123

   > Price: $215 plus shipping (only USA), or Make Offer

   > Opinion: I know some of you were trying to find one of these, so this is a good opportunity! Price's not bad at all, and it includes the COA (although the number is not visible in the pics - is that a 4 hundred something?). The chakram looks to be midline judging from the colors.
>> EDIT: Seller told me the number is 495.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111611172521

- TODD'S Y&Y CHAKRAM #? + ORIGINAL CHAKRAM #?

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes
   > Numbers: ??/1000

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: tarrante123

   > Price: $400 plus shipping (only USA), or Make Offer

   > Opinion: Same seller, two other chakrams. This is a good deal, because you can get both chakrams at once. My only "but" is the shipping (only USA) which leaves all of us foreigners out unless you have some friend or family member in the US. Numbers are not clear here either - 4 hundred something and 6 hundred something? What do you guys think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111611141516

- TODD'S XENA KNEE GUARDS REPLICA(S)

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes

   > COA: Not mentioned

   > Seller: toddscostumes_com

   > Price: $99.95 plus shipping

   > Opinion: Todd's Costumes has listed several pairs of Xena knee guards. This one is the cheapest (probably because the leather color doesn't much 100%). If you don't like that detail and don't mind to spend more, you can check their other listings to take a look at the other different pairs. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251860208463

- LEATHER AMAZON SHEATH REPLICA

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes

   > COA: Not mentioned

   > Seller: toddscostumes_com

   > Price: $89.95 plus shipping

   > Opinion: This is an interesting piece. Similarly to the knee guards, there are several different amazon sheath replicas for sale, also for different prices - I guess that depending on the finish? I'm not sure because the photo is always the same. If interested you should ask for photos of the specific piece, as in my experience the promotional photo and the real thing can be quite different.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251860208463

***

Wow, that felt good :)

Feel free to comment and stay tuned for more. Cheers!