Welcome! As part of its ongoing mission to document the Art and Production History of Star Trek, this site will present technical articles on Star Trek prop and costume authentication - focusing on The Original Series - with detailed photos and episode screenshots to complement the information presented; as well as feature pictorials to showcase Star Trek memorabilia in private & public collections, present rare Behind The Scenes TOS imagery & discuss other topics.
Gerald Gurian is a 40+ year collector of screen used Star Trek memorabilia and a passionate fan of TOS
     
- Star Trek TOS At Auction Part I - Gurian Collection Highlights - Greg Jein TOS Hero Type II Phaser
-Authenticating a TOS Communicator -6 Myths About Star Trek Prop Design -Star Trek 3rd Season Command Tunic
- Design Features of TOS Tricorders -Star Trek Props At National Air & Space - TOS Leatherette Tricorder
- TOS Federation Sciences Dress -Desilu Studio TOS Prop Fabrication - Unreleased Allen/Gurian Prop Photos
- The Beautiful Women of TOS Part I -TOS U.S.S. Enterprise 11' Filming Model - Captain Kirk's Chair from TOS
- Spock Ears -TOS Control Panels & Displays - Mr. Spock's Science Station
- TOS Soundstage at Desilu -TOS Shatner Romulan Pants - The Beautiful Women of TOS Pt. II
- TOS Galileo Shuttlecraft -Greg Jein TOS Cage Laser Pistol - TOS 3rd Season Midgrade Type II Phaser
- Dr. McCoy's Sickbay on TOS -TOS Balok Puppet Head - Captain Kirk "Mirror, Mirror" Tunic
- Greg Jein TOS Hero Tricorder -1992 Smithsonian TOS Cast Video - TOS 1st Season Command Tunic
- TOS "Where No Man" Silver Contact Lenses -TOS Special Effects: The Transporter - The Art of Matt Jefferies
- TOS "Space Seed" Gold Mesh Jumpsuit -Gorn Costume from "Arena" - Rare TOS Behind-the-Scenes Videos
- TOS Stunt Type II Phaser -1993 Bill Theiss Estate Auction - TOS Shatner Command Dress Tunic
- TOS Elasian Royal Guard Tunic -TOS Finnegan Silver "Shore Leave" Tunic - TOS Science Officer Tunic "The Cage"
- TOS Shatner Early 1st Season Command Tunic -William Shatner TOS Tunics At Auction - TOS Shatner Late 1st Season Command Tunic

Sunday, May 18, 2008

A James T. Kirk Signature & other Autographs of Star Trek

In case you've ever wondered what Captain Kirk's autograph looks like (as opposed to that of William Shatner), it is presented below along with several other dual signature pieces in the first three photographs. Shatner, Nimoy, Doohan, Koenig and Takei have all signed with their own name as well as that of their Star Trek TOS character. Autograph collecting is a tremendously popular hobby that might be an enjoyable way to compliment a screen used memorabilia collection - or serve as the primary collecting focus of a Star Trek/Entertainment/History collector. Fortunately, due to the immense popularity of Star Trek and the large number of science fiction/Star Trek conventions taking place across the country throughout the year; it is easy for fans to meet many of their favorite TOS and later series stars and obtain genuine autographs. As shown below, signed photos or books represent a subset of the many different types of collectibles that are suitable for inclusion in an autograph collection. All of the following items are part of the authors collection.



Doohan and Koenig autographs obtained in the mid-70's:


A George Takei signed 8" by 10""

A copy of Nichelle Nichols autobiography personally inscribed by her to Star Trek Associate Producer Bob Justman, and an autograph note signed by George Takei with his first name only:


A postcard autographed by 5 TOS actors:



Walter Koenig's personal set of Call Sheets and Shooting Schedule for "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home":



A vintage group of signed contracts from the '50s through '80s for non-Star Trek TOS engagements or Star Trek feature film timeframe agency representation for TOS actors Shatner, Nimoy, Kelley, Doohan, Takei and Koenig:



A late '60s era Lincoln Enterprises Star Trek Flight Deck Certificate authentically signed by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy (with secretarial Roddenberry & Kirk autographs executed by Susan Sackett):



In addition to collecting the autographs of the well known actors and actresses that made Star Trek: The Original Series come to life in front of the cameras; it can also be enjoyable to acquire some signatures from members of the TOS production crew - without whose tireless efforts and brilliant, creative talent Star Trek could never have become a reality.

A very early '70s convention program book signed by Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, and Majel Barrett:



A Profiles 2001 Jefferies Auction catalog introduction page signed by Herb Solow - Desilu VP and Executive In Charge of Star Trek, Matt Jefferies - the Art Director and Production Designer for TOS and Robert Justman - Star Trek's Associate Producer:



A Christmas Card signed by Star Trek TOS Makeup Artist Fred Phillips:



An authentic pre-production concept sketch for The Original Series 3rd Season episode "The Paradise Syndrome" (identified by it's working title of "Paleface") signed by Art Director Matt Jefferies:

Some original photos of TOS Associate Producer Robert Justman on the Bridge Set of Star Trek: The Next Generation:



The autograph of Star Trek Costume Designer Bill Theiss:



Bob Justman's personal set of Call Sheets, Shooting Schedule and Production Reports for the first pilot of Star Trek "The Cage":




Some vintage (humerous) memos on Desilu letterhead created during the production of TOS:




An autograph card from Rick Sternbach, the Senior Illustrator for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, as well as TNG, DS9 and Voyager:


And finally, some autograph items from the later series incarnations of Star Trek...
A handwritten and signed letter from Patrick Stewart dated January, 1988; shortly after the start of production of the seven year Star Trek:TNG series:



An irresistible autograph from Jeri Ryan:



A DS9 production clapboard signed by Rene Auberjonois:

A Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual signed by its authors Mike Okuda & Rick Sternbach for Bob Justman:

A rare Star Trek: The Encyclopedia interim edition signed by Robert Justman: