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Christie's auction, Star Trek- Beyond the Final Frontier

The auction in progress as seen in Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier

"40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection" is the official title of an auction held by Christie's, New York.

Held from 57 October 2006, a vast number of items ranging from minor background props to detailed models of the various USS Enterprise starships, all taken from 40 years of Star Trek production, were auctioned as "Sale 1778".

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star Avery Brooks visited the auction while filming an interview nearby.

The auction was streamed live over the internet by history.com, while The History Channel filmed it for its documentary Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier, which debuted February 2007.

Catalogue

Available for this sale was a two-volume catalogue containing detailed photographs of the individual items as well as notes and behind-the-scenes comments, prepared by Mike and Denise Okuda, long standing members of Star Trek's production staff.

Versions

There were two editions of the catalogue available:

  • A set which includes only the two volumes in paperback, sold for US$90 before the auction and US$60 after.
  • A "Special Limited Edition Boxed Set" in which the volumes are hardcover and inside a slipcase. This edition also includes a ten-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Michael and Denise Okuda, Robert Blackman, Michael Westmore, and Rod Roddenberry. It is sold for US$500. [1] [2]

Contents

  • Volume 1
    1. Auction Information
    2. Specialists and Services for This Auction
    3. Special Sale Notices
    4. Treksperts and Acknowledgments
    5. Introduction
    6. Star Trek: The Next Generation movies
    7. Session I
    8. Star Trek: Enterprise
    9. Star Trek: Voyager
    10. Session II
    11. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
    12. Index
    13. Important Notices
    14. Buying at Christie's
    15. Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty
    16. Worldwide Salerooms and Offices
    17. Christie's Specialist Departments and Services
    18. Christie's International Collectibles Department
    19. Absentee Bids Form
    20. Catalogue Subscriptions
  • Volume 2
    1. Auction Information
    2. Specialists and Services for This Auction
    3. Special Sale Notices
    4. Treksperts
    5. Star Trek: The Next Generation
    6. Session III
    7. Star Trek: The Original Series
    8. Index
    9. Important Notices
    10. Buying at Christie's
    11. Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty
    12. Worldwide Salesrooms and Offices
    13. Christie's Specialist Departments and Services
    14. Christie's International Collectibles Department
    15. Absentee Bids Form
    16. Catalogue Subscriptions
Covers
Christie's Star Trek catalogue, part two Christie's Star Trek catalogue
Cover part two
"Special Limited Edition Boxed Set"

Errors

With 1000 lots, there were bound to be a couple mistakes. Here are some of the most obvious:

  • Lot 581, titled "BEVERLY'S MERRY MAN COSTUME", was incorrectly identified as the costume Gates McFadden wore as one of the Merry Men in "Qpid". It was actually the silk dress she wore in a dinner scene with Jean-Luc Picard at the end of "Attached". The catalogue picture even included one of the Merry Man hats.
  • Lot 589, originally titled "TROI'S GODDESS OF EMPATHY DRESS", was incorrectly identified as the dress worn by Marina Sirtis as the "Goddess of Empathy" in the Barclay-created holo-fantasy of "Hollow Pursuits". It was actually worn in "Ménage à Troi". The on-line catalogue was later corrected, and the lot was retitled "DEANNA TROI'S LAVENDER DRESS".

International tour

Creation official convention 2006, Christie's exhibit

The Christie's auction exhibit at the 2006 Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas

For several months before the auction, an exhibit made up of items from the collection traveled the US and Europe.

Auction Results

  • The auction was estimated to bring in between US$1,215,600 and US$1,818,350. The total sale was US$7,107,040 including the buyer's premium and rounded to the nearest dollar.
  • The buyer's premium was 20% of the hammer price on each lot up to and including $200,000 plus 12% of any amount in excess of $200,000. The total premium amount was US$1,157,840.
  • The average lot estimate was US$1,517; the average high bid was US$5,955; the average lot price was US$7,114.
  • 1,000 lots were offered; 999 lots were sold; one lot (Lot 521) was not sold (the offer was withdrawn and there was no bidding).
  • 35 of the lots (3.50%) sold below the lowest estimate.
  • 60 of the lots (6.01%) sold between the low and high estimates.
  • 904 of the lots (90.49%) sold above the highest estimate.
    • 372 of the lots (37.24%) sold at between two and five times the highest estimate.
    • 207 of the lots (20.72%) sold at between five and ten times the highest estimate.
    • 125 of the lots (12.51%) sold at more than ten times the highest estimate.
  • On the date of the sale, exchange rates were approximately as follows: US$1 = £0.53, SFr 1.25, ¥117.56, €0.79

Highest priced lots

Ranked by gavel price, in ascending order.

  1. Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D
    Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000; Highest bid: $500,000; Price: $576,000
  2. Lot 983: KLINGON BIRD-OF-PREY
    Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $260,000; Price: $307,200
  3. Lot 1000: ENTERPRISE-A MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY
    Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000; Highest bid: $240,000; Price: $284,800
  4. Lot 978: DR. MCCOY'S SPACE SUIT FROM "THE THOLIAN WEB"
    Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $120,000; Price: $144,000
  5. Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000
  6. Lot 493: DEEP SPACE NINE MODEL
    Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000
  7. Lot 357: STARSHIP VOYAGER MINIATURE MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY
    Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000
  8. Lot 107: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-E MODEL
    Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000
  9. Lot 497: STARSHIP DEFIANT MODEL
    Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $85,000; Price: $102,000
  10. Lot 996: KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $85,000; Price: $102,000

Lowest priced lots

Ranked by gavel price, in descending order.

  1. Lot 18: ENTERPRISE-E TABLE
    Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $400; Price: $480
  2. Lot 310: TALAXIAN HEAD APPLIANCE
    Estimate: $400 - $600; Highest bid: $400; Price: $480
  3. Lot 932: PHASE II HOSPITAL SMOCK PROTOTYPE
    Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $450; Price: $540
  4. Lot 935: PHASE II HOSPITAL SMOCK PROTOTYPE
    Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $500; Price: $600
  5. Lot 19: ENTERPRISE-E CREDENZA TABLE
    Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $500; Price: $600
  6. Lot 261: STARSHIP DEFIANT INSIGNIA BADGES
    Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $550; Price: $660
  7. Lot 260: STARFLEET SECURITY DIVISION EMBROIDERED PATCHES
    Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
  8. Lot 266: STAR TREK: VOYAGER CALL SHEETS
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
  9. Lot 168: ARCHER'S CHILDHOOD ASTRONOMY BOOK
    Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
  10. Lot 931: UNASSEMBLED THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S COMMAND MINIDRESS
    Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720

Most underestimated lots

Ranked by gavel price divided by high estimate, in descending order.

  1. Lot 105: BORG CUBE MODEL
    Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500; Highest bid: $80,000; Price: $96,000
  2. Lot 174: VULCAN KIR'SHARA ARTIFACT
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $6,000; Price: $7,200
  3. Lot 778: KLINGON JUDGE'S GAVEL
    Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $20,000; Price: $24,000
  4. Lot 537: PICARD'S RESSIKAN FLUTE
    Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $40,000; Price: $48,000
  5. Lot 119: PYRAMID-SHAPED NATURAL WOOD DRESSER
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760
  6. Lot 172: SURAK'S KATRIC ARK
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760
  7. Lot 775: U.S.S. ENTERPRISE BLANKETS
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760
  8. Lot 753: ENTERPRISE-A SHIP'S WHEEL
    Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $9,500; Price: $11,400
  9. Lot 393: BAJORAN ORB ARK
    Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,500; Price: $5,400
  10. Lot 382: INFIRMARY SIGNS
    Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $7,500; Price: $9,000

Most overestimated lots

Ranked by gavel price divided by low estimate, in ascending order.

  1. Lot 971: THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S UNIFORM DRESS
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200
  2. Lot 886: SULU'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,100; Price: $1,320
  3. Lot 659: BEVERLY CRUSHER'S FUTURE STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,400; Price: $1,680
  4. Lot 863: SCOTTY'S CLASS-A STARFLEET UNIFORM
    Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880
  5. Lot 950: UHURA'S PHASE II UNIFORM DRESS
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200
  6. Lot 957: MEN'S PILOT STARFLEET UNIFORM SHIRT
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200
  7. Lot 883: SULU'S CLASS-B UNIFORM SHIRT
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,600; Price: $1,920
  8. Lot 884: SULU'S CLASS-C JACKET AND PANTS
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,600; Price: $1,920
  9. Lot 855: CAPTAIN KIRK'S CIVILIAN SUIT
    Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000; Highest bid: $2,800; Price: $3,360
  10. Lot 887: SULU'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,700; Price: $2,040

Most accurately estimated lots

Ranked by absolute distance of gaval price from the median estimate, in ascending order. Ties are ranked by lot number.

  1. Lot 116: ENTERPRISE DINING ROOM CHAIRS
    Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200
  2. Lot 219: ENTERPRISE BRIDGE COLLECTION
    Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000; Highest bid: $5,000; Price: $6,000
  3. Lot 229: CAPTAIN ARCHER COLLECTION
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800
  4. Lot 254: U.S.S. DEFIANT STARFLEET UNIFORMS
    Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400
  5. Lot 260: STARFLEET SECURITY DIVISION EMBROIDERED PATCHES
    Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
  6. Lot 309: KLINGON FOREHEADS
    Estimate: $600 - $800; Highest bid: $700; Price: $840
  7. Lot 648: SAREK'S JACKET AND PANTS
    Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200
  8. Lot 670: GEORDI LA FORGE'S THIRD SEASON-STYLE STARFLEET UNIFORM
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800
  9. Lot 707: ENTERPRISE-D ENLARGED WARP NACELLE MODEL
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800
  10. Lot 828: ILIA'S CLASS-B UNIFORM SHIRT
    Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400
  11. Lot 841: PERSIS KHAMBATTA'S CLASS-A UNIFORM SHIRT
    Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400
  12. Lot 867: UHURA'S STARFLEET UNIFORM
    Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400
  13. Lot 931: UNASSEMBLED THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S COMMAND MINIDRESS
    Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
  14. Lot 982: TWO SCIENTIST'S UNIFORMS FROM "WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?"
    Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $7,000; Price: $8,400
  15. Lot 82: DATA'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880
  16. Lot 84: GEORDI'S STARFLEET UNIFORM JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,600; Price: $3,120
  17. Lot 479: DAX'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $1,900; Price: $2,280
  18. Lot 490: MIRADORN SHIP MODEL
    Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $3,800; Price: $4,560
  19. Lot 663: DEANNA TROI'S STARFLEET DRESS UNIFORM
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880
  20. Lot 665: DEANNA TROI'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT
    Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880

Noteworthy items

The sale prices for the following lots are the hammer prices and do not include the buyer's premium (see above).

Lot 107: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-E MODEL

The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E), sold on October 5, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 357: STARSHIP VOYAGER MINIATURE MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

The principal visual effects model of the USS Voyager (NCC-74656), sold on October 6, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 493: DEEP SPACE NINE MODEL

The principal visual effects model of space station Deep Space 9, sold on October 6, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 497: STARSHIP DEFIANT MODEL

The principal visual effects model of the USS Defiant (NX-74205), sold on October 6, 2006 for $85,000.

Lot 535: DATA'S HOLOGRAM OF TASHA YAR

A 3x5 inch (7.62x12.5 cm) clear acrylic container with a grey-painted plastic base. Used as a holographic projector that produced a hologram of Natasha Yar. Seen in "The Measure Of A Man" and "The Most Toys". Sold for $3,800.

Lot 537: PICARD'S RESSIKAN FLUTE

Featured in TNG: "The Inner Light" and later in the episodes "A Fistful of Datas" and "Lessons", this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard's Ressikan flute. This lot was originally estimated at only $300, but after being featured in Template:Brokenlink as an example of one of the surprisingly low-priced items in the auction the estimate was later increased to $800 - $1,200. The importance of this item to fans finally proved to be grossly underestimated, as the prop sold on October 6, 2006 for a staggering $40,000. In Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier, Patrick Stewart commented with laughter, "It doesn't play; it's not a real flute."

Lot 553: SARTAARAN HEAD AND CHEST

This lot offers a clear view of an alien species (identified as Satarran in the script) that was introduced in TNG: "Conundrum". A member of this species, disguised as Starfleet commander Keiran MacDuff, tried to commandeer the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) to fight in a war between his species and the Lysians. Sold on October 6, 2006 for $1,100.

Lot 694: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-C

The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C) as featured in TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise", extensively refurbished and rebuilt to serve as a variety of other ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation and currently labeled as the USS Yamaguchi (NCC-26510). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $40,000.

Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D

The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), sold on October 7, 2006 for $500,000, by far the highest hammer price for any item in the auction. The item is now on display at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle.

Lot 770: ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE BRIDGE SET

A replica of approximately half of the bridge of the original starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), made for the bridge set of the Template:ShipClass USS Defiant (NCC-1764) featured in ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly", sold on October 7, 2006 for $38,000. (Just before the hammer was struck, one member of the audience at the auction called out that the selling price was too low, to which the auctioneer responded "Then bid!". No further bids were made, however, and the lot sold for $38,000).

Lot 978: DR. MCCOY'S SPACE SUIT FROM "THE THOLIAN WEB"

The environmental suit worn by DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard McCoy in TOS: "The Tholian Web", sold on October 7, 2006 for $120,000.

Lot 980: T'PAU'S COSTUME FROM "AMOK TIME"

T'Pau's outfit from TOS: "Amok Time", sold on October 7, 2006 for $45,000.

Lot 983: KLINGON BIRD-OF-PREY

Filming miniature of a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, designed for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and subsequently used in later movies and episodes, sold on October 7, 2006 for $260,000.

Lot 985: USS RELIANT MODEL

Filming miniature of the USS Reliant (NCC-1864), made and used as the USS Reliant in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, saucer currently labeled USS Saratoga (NCC-31911), roll bar labeled USS Brattain (NCC-21166). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $50,000.

Lot 988: REGULA ONE SPACE STATION MODEL

Filming miniature originally used as the orbital office complex in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, later modified to serve as the Regula I research station in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, then further refurbished as Starbase 375 in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $42,000.

Lot 989: SPACEDOCK MODEL

Filming miniature originally used as Earth Spacedock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock through Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, later reused to represent Starbase 74 in TNG: "11001001", Starbase 133 in TNG: "Remember Me", Lya Station Alpha in TNG: "Ensign Ro", and Starbase 84 in TNG: "Phantasms". Sold on October 7, 2006 for $65,000.

Lot 993: DAMAGED ENTERPRISE MODEL

Filming miniature of a highly damaged refit starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), used for the self-destruct and entry of the Enterprise into the atmosphere of the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, sold on October 7, 2006 for $40,000.

Lot 996: KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

Filming miniature of a Template:ShipClass Klingon battle cruiser made for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and later modified for use in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, sold on October 7, 2006 for $85,000.

Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL

Filming miniature of an Template:ShipClass starship, originally used as the USS Excelsior in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock through Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and later relabeled and reused as a number of different ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation, subsequently modified to represent the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) in Star Trek Generations, currently labeled as the USS Lakota (NCC-42768). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 999: SMALL STARSHIP ENTERPRISE MINIATURE MODEL

Smaller filming miniature of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A), made from a modified plastic hobby kit and sporting painted battle damage scars from combat scenes, used for visual effects work in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $42,000.

Lot 1000: ENTERPRISE-A MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A), originally made as the refit USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) for the first three Star Trek films and then modified for use as the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home through Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $240,000.

Lawsuit

On 28 December 2007, The Associated Press reported that Ted Moustakis of New Jersey - who spent $12,000 at the auction for a uniform and poker visor supposedly worn by Brent Spiner while filming TNG - is now suing Christie's and CBS Paramount for $7 million for allegedly selling him fraudulent items. Moustakis' claims were apparently backed up by Spiner himself at an August 2007 Star Trek convention where the actor identified the visor as being a fake. Moustakis reportedly believes the other items purchased at the auction were also misrepresented by Christies. While Paramount had no comment on the matter, Christies responded by saying "the case has no merit." [3]

Trivia

  • In a comedy bit on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, O'Brien sent the show's "Spock" character to the auction with $1,500, expecting that he would be able to purchase something. Even though many items were estimated at only a few hundred dollars, every item he bid on quickly went above that amount and he was unable to win any lots. Later, O'Brien went to the auction and gave him an extra $5,000, but unfortunately even this wasn't enough, and Spock instead chose to go down the street and spend the money on strippers. The bit was filmed while the auction was in progress. "Spock", who was played by Late Night writer Michael Gordon, was really bidding (and being outbid) on items in the auction.

External links

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