Totara Peak Gallery - A Xena oasis at Omarama, NZ

Hello everybody!

Today I wanted to tell you about a very small and special place at Omarama, a small township near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. There you can find Totara Peak Gallery, the only antique shop in the area and "an eclectic mix of antiques, rare books and new and old costume jewellery".

The shop is located on the road to Queenstown, Mt Cook, Christchurch and Oamaru - it's, in their own words, "in the middle of nowhere, but in fact it is in the center of everywhere". 

http://www.omaramaantiques.com/museum.html

But what's so special about this place? Well, somewhere in their labyrinth of curiosities and antiques Totara Peak Gallery holds a spectacular shrine of original Xena props and costumes, including a full Xena costume.

Yes, that's right. I've known this for years, but until recently I was unable to get good HQ pictures of the measures hold at Omarama. Luckily, photographer and amazing manaia artist M. Navarre recently arrived there by chance and has been very kind to share his photos with us.

So let's go and take a look! Warning: HEAVY pics ahead!

General overview 1

General overview 2

Now let's focus on the juicy stuff: the Xena costume. "Original Xena costumes purchased in Auckland surround the Xena centerpiece".

Xena costume 1

Xena costume 2

Xena costume 3

Xena costume close-up: knee-guards and boots.

Xena costume: Description.

As you can read, the body piece is leather, the armbands and gauntlets are copper and leather (Creation Ent. replicas), and the breastplate and other armor parts are resin (stunts). Nevertheless, the resin pieces are so finely made and so well taken care of that they look exactly like copper. Amazing! And what do you say about that shot with the knee-guards? I love it.

Alongside Xena's costume is Daphne's costume. Remember her from S5 "Little Problems"? She was a child whose body was briefly inhabited by Xena's spirit. The owners say: "The childs costume worn by New Zealand actress Rose McIver is special to us - Rose was our neighbor in Auckland and we still follow her career".

Other costumes of the collection are: a couple of armored soldiers, a man with a turban, an Amazon or similar, and many loose weapons and props.

Soldier 1

Soldier 2 - "Tazor"

Tazor description.

Amazon or similar.

It's not very clear in this shot, but at the right side of the "amazon" there's a baby carrier with a baby mannequin in full costume. The costume doesn't look like Eve's, but who knows...

In the next shot the baby is more visible in the background.

Copper? vase over statue.

Gabrielle's bombs description.

Ahhhh! The famous Gabrielle bombs seen in S5! Some of them lie around... Where exactly? Go back to the close-up of Xena's knee-guards and you'll see them, hidden behind the Xena mannequin. 

Stag banner.

Stag banner, shield, dragon, spears... 

Bone and stone clubs... from the Horde, perhaps?

Spears and what appears to be a Celtic banner.

And that's all! I hope you enjoyed seen these pictures as much as me.

Once again, thanks a thousand to M. Navarre for his photos, they're amazing!

Cheers people!

Late Monday eBay Roundup (XX)

Hello people!

I apologize for this late Monday eBay Roundup entry, yesterday I wasn't able to steal any time at all. But better late than never, right? Let's see what new items we can find this week:

- GABRIELLE'S S1 FULL PEASANT COSTUME

   > Character: Gabrielle, during S1

   > Material: Different kinds of fabric (linen?)

   > Papers: COA from It's a Wrap!

   > Seller: deguston

   > Price: $4,000 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: Just WOW! This is definitely something! A highly iconic, well preserved and super rare piece from the beginning of Season 1 no less! It would deserve a whole entry all by itself :) The costume comes with all the paperwork plus some extra stuff like a handwritten letter from Renée and a signed photo. It's clearly very expensive, but those who collect original costumes will know it's not out of a "usual" price range for pieces like this.

If you want to know more about this costume I refer you to the magnificent replica that Liz (fellow blogger and amazing cosplayer) did and documented in her blog, Gift of the Gab.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351432205642

- SCREENUSED RESIN PROP SWORD

   > Character: Unknown

   > Material: Urethane resin

   > Papers: Not mentioned

   > Seller: llamawerntz

   > Price: $2,500 plus shipping (only USA)

   > Opinion: All right. This is a nice resin sword, and it looks to be in good condition, but come on. No mention of any kind of COA, nor to any character having used it. Just the sword and a very high price. Gab's costume is a unique piece, so the three zeros are worth it, but in my opinion (and judging from previous similar sales) this prop sword is simply overpriced.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261938276351

- AMAZON NECKLACE PROP

   > Character: Unknown Amazon

   > Material: Beads. Leather.

   > Papers: Not included

   > Seller: amazonsrule2015

   > Price: $9.99 plus shipping

   > Opinion: This is more like it. Here we have a very nice looking prop necklace. There's no COA, but seller claims it was used by one/some? of the Amazons. It might be true - there's no reason to doubt the word of the seller (this particular eBayer has been listing Xena props and replicas for a long time, with no bad feedback) and the price is very reasonable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231601013599

- AMAZON BELT PROP

   > Character: Unknown Amazon

   > Material: Leather. Feathers.

   > Papers: Not included

   > Seller: amazonsrule2015

   > Price: $29.99 plus shipping

   > Opinion: Same seller, and similarly interesting scenario. Like the necklace above, this belt is also an alleged amazon piece, with no COA. It too looks really cool, and has a good price - a bit higher due to the more intricate nature of this particular piece.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231601513011

- GABRIELLE JEWELRY SET

   > Character: Gabrielle in S2 "Blind Faith"

   > Material: Metal. Leather.

   > Papers: COA form Turners

   > Seller: beatles-rock

   > Price: $350 plus shipping

   > Opinion: We have seen these before, but price has been reduced to a much more appealing amount, so I saw fit to include them in this week roundup. I invite you to check the listing for more detailed information.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171834510643

- TODD'S COSTUMES XENA SWORD REPLICA #241

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes
   > Number: 241/3000

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: roberthsnipes

   > Price: $1,000 plus shipping

   > Opinion: Attention here. This is NOT an "authentic prop" as the listing says, this is a replica. Have that in mind before biding blindly. The COA is included, so you just have to check the photos to confirm what I'm saying. This kind of swords (of which we have seen a few as of late) are usually sold for HALF this price, so don't do anything you may regret later.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161736401957

- FULL XENA COSTUME REPLICA BY TODD'S COSTUMES

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes

   > COA: Not mentioned

   > Seller: marlene0487

   > Price: $1,500 plus shipping (only USA), or Buy Now for $2,200

   > Opinion: Todd's Xena costumes are very popular, and this comes for a good price. Listing says it doesn't include the scabbard and that one armband is damaged. Chakram and sword are plastic. Measures can be read in the listing description.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141700402855

- MARTO'S XENA 10th ANNIVERSARY KATANA REPLICA

   > Manufacturer: Marto of Toledo

   > Number: Unknown

   > COA: Included

   > Seller: anniehakey01

   > Price: $200 plus shipping (only USA), or Buy Now for $500

   > Opinion: Again, a 10th Anniversary gold Xena katana replica. Same opinion as always - nice katana, so-so replica. On the bright side, it comes with a cool stand and price is quite good!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201375948386

***

This is all. This week was full of stuff, wasn't it?

Stay tuned for more very soon!

Cheers

Metal Xena sword replica on eBay!

Hello people!

Quite a few of you have asked me one time or another about metal Xena sword replicas and where to get them. Well, today might be your lucky day, as one has just appeared for sale on eBay!

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes

   > Number: 014/3000

   > COA: Not included
   > Seller: onesock52

   > Price: $375 (or Buy Now for $500) plus shipping (only USA)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291433092351

As you can see, the seller has listed a a Todd's Costumes Xena sword replica, made in aluminum, with a very low number and in really good condition. Seller says she had it displayed for ten years, and feels now it's the right time to let it go. The sword is legit, you can trust me on that, but seller says COA is not included -though she might send it later if she finds it.

Price is impressively good as well, above all if we consider the sword comes with another Todd's replica: a leather amazon scabbard -one that seems to be quite old too, which is always a good sign of quality in this kind of reproductions. Here's a pic of it:

Overall my opinion is this is a rarely good deal if you want a metal Xena sword. Only "but" is that she has marked it as "Only USA" for the shipping -though if you write her and are conveying enough she might change her mind, who knows. If that's your case, fingers crossed :)

Battle on Xenites!

"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!

The Yahoo It's a Wrap! Auction (II)

Hello guys!

Here's the second part from the other day's entry dedicated to the Yahoo It's a Wrap! Auction (you can read the first part here - by the way, I've slightly edited it adding a couple of things to Gabrielle's section).

Let's continue taking a look at all the images of the amazing props and costumes that were auctioned and sold back then.

Once again, many thanks from here to the Italian Xena website "Xena Media" or http://www.prometheus110.altervista.org.htm for all the photos.

>> GODS AND GODESSES' COSTUMES and ACCESSORIES:

Ares' pieces are all awesome, as are Athena's. I also love the Kronos stone!

Ares' costume and accessories.

Ares' sword? Definitely not his trademark sword.

Regular and Mourning Aphrodite's costumes.

Cupid's costume, accessories, bow and arrows.

Athena's costume and accessories, plus her chief archers's (Ilainus) helmet. 

Hades' costume and accessories.

A Fury, Discord and Apollo's costumes.

The dagger of Helios (S5 "Seeds of Faith" version). 

Death's aka Celesta's candle.

A Kronos' stone.

Full ambrosia and petals - resin prop.

Golden Apples prop.

>> FRIENDS' COSTUMES and ACCESSORIES:

Joxer's pieces are all very iconic. And the Hydra plush is SO cool. I also love Hercules' trademark costume and gauntlets, as well as Iolaus'.

Joxer's trademark costume and in "The Bitter Suite" and "If the Shoe Firs".

Joxer's trademark gauntlets and accessories.

Autolycus' costumes.

Baby Eve's costume and plush Hydra.

Ephiny's costume and accessories.

Amazon's sword and scabbard.

Xenan's (Ephiny's son) centaur gear.

Lao Ma, Eli and Amarice's costumes.

Jace (Joxer's brother) various costumes.

Jace's shoes and accesories.

Virgil (Joxer's son) costumes.

Hercules' trademark costume.

Hercules' mighty gauntlets.

Iolaus and Nebula's costumes.

>> FOES' COSTUMES and ACCESSORIES:

I think from this group I'd choose the Callisto costumes. Her staff/bag with the eye from "The Bitter Suite" is so awesome I can't think of a reason why it hasn't been replicated yet! Who wouldn't want one? lol

Draco's costumes.

Callisto's costumes and accessories in "The Bitter Suite" and "Fallen Angel".

Callisto's trademark costume accessories.

Caesar's various costumes and accessories.

Pompey's costume.

Alti's costumes in "Adventures in the Sin Trade", "Between the Lines",
"Send in the Clones" or "When Fates Collide".

Pao Tsu's costume.

Livia's bacanal costume.

Lucifer's archangel costume and gear.

Calligula's gown.

Prince Morloch's costume and pseudo-chakram.

>> OTHER COOL STUFF:

Without doubt, from here I'd choose the scrolls (all of them!). The valkyrie helmet is amazing as well (all about the Valkyries' costumes rocks!).

One of Gabrielle's trademark scrolls.

Ming Tien's banner.

"The Play's the Thing" poster.

Kal's (God of War) knife.

"Evil" sword used in many episodes.

"Little Problems" scroll.

Guitar-weapon from "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire".

Guitar-weapon from "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire".

Valkyrie's helmet from "The Ring" trilogy.

Valkyries tapestry from "The Ring" trilogy.

C.H.A.K.R.A.M. sign from... "Soul Possession'? 

Xena's poster.

Harmonia's hourglass wristwatch from "If the Shoe Fits".

****

Now yes, this is pretty much all. There some other pictures in the original link, so I invite you to check it out yourselves. It's a very cool website!

Stay tuned for more!