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, August 30, 2009

The William Ware Theiss Estate Auction - Dec 12, 1993 - Butterfield & Butterfield

Bill Theiss was the Costume Designer for Star Trek: The Original Series and the creator of all of the Starfleet uniforms and futuristic human and alien wardrobe that appeared in the original 79 episodes of TOS. He is especially remembered for his daring and revealing designs that adorned the female guest stars of the series, as well as his unconventional use of materials. The Butterfield and Butterfield December 12, 1993 Entertainment Memorabilia auction held in Los Angeles featured 144 different lots of property from the William Ware Theiss Collection and represents the largest public offering of Original Series screen used costumes ever to take place. Mr. Theiss specifically instructed that the proceeds from the sale of his Star Trek collection be used to benefit Project Angel Food, an LA-based non-profit agency that serves hundreds of meals on a daily basis to those challenged by HIV-AIDS, cancer and other diseases. An earlier article on this website reprinted a rare interview with Bill Theiss that was held in 1988 - just 4 years before he passed away. It may be viewed at http://startrekpropauthority.blogspot.com/2008/05/bill-theiss-lost-interview-rare.html and provides some unique insights into the creative mind of one of the major designers of the Star Trek TOS universe, who was as compassionate as he was extraordinarily talented.

Below are some selected highlights from the memorabilia that was offered at the December 12, 1993 auction. The final prices realized for individual lots are included where known.






Sold for: $18,400



Sold for: $9,200



Sold for: $403



Sold for: $805



Sold for: $690



Sold for: $1,380



Sold for: $1,150



Sold for: $259



Sold for: $518



Sold for: $8,625



Sold for: $6,325



Lot 829 sold for: $1,150




Sold for: $2,300



Sold for: $575



Sold for: $1,035



Sold for: $978



Sold for: $1,150



Sold for: $575



Sold for: $1,150



Sold for: $10,925





Sold for: $9,200



Sold for: $6,325



Sold for: $920



Sold for: $173







Sold for: $4,887



Sold for: $4,600



Sold for: $5,750



Sold for: $575



Sold for: $920



Sold for: $4,887



Sold for: $1,725





Sold for: $2,300





Sold for: $1,150



Sold for: $1,610



Sold for: $1,035



Sold for: $805



Sold for: $1,955



Sold for: $9,200