Demand for film props and costumes has exploded in recent years, with collectors willing to part with staggering sums of money to own unique items of movie history. One of the largest events this year in the movie memorabilia business is an auction taking place in London this week.
Run by the company Propstore, among the lots are items from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Godfather and many more. But nostalgia doesn't come cheap.
The original face mask of the title character from 1982 blockbuster 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' could be yours to take home. /CGTN
Instantly recognizable is C3PO's helmet from the original 1977 Star Wars, which is being sold by actor Anthony Daniels, who brought the droid to life.
The starting bid is likely to be somewhere in the region of $600,000. For a mere $350,000 you could bid for a Tie Fighter helmet from the same film.
A starting bid for C3PO's helmet is likely to be somewhere in the region of $600,000. /CGTN
The founder and CEO of Propstore Stephen Lane describes his job as a hobby that spiralled out of control. Prices have done the same.
Some items are available for purchase, but it's at the high profile auctions where collectors part with huge sums of money for a piece of movie history.
"I think what we're actually seeing is just an emerging marketplace, and a marketplace that is starting to mature, that is reaching those levels where there is that level of awareness," Lane told CGTN.
"There's more material in the mix," he added. "The internet – it sounds very clichéd – but you're able to reach people and explain to them. You put all of that together, and look at the exciting things we're discovering, and it draws more and more people into the hobby."
Propstore boss Stephen Lane alongside C3PO's buddy R2-D2. /CGTN
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Just like in antiques or art, forgeries and fakes are something of which auctioneers are very wary. For items that have been on screen, going through films frame by frame helps tie them to their moment in the spotlight.
Tim Lawes, Propstore's Director of Consignments, showed us the outfit worn by Jeff Bridges' character 'The Dude' in 1998's The Big Lebowski.
"This is what we call a screen-matched item," he explained. "This is a situation where you can freeze frame the film and match unique patterns. Every garment is going to be slightly different, it's going to be constructed in a slightly different way even though they appear the same."
Lawes said the marking of the stitching and the pattern is unique, helping to verify the item's authenticity. "In one scene of The Big Lebowski you can freeze frame it and you can match up every single detail on this garment and you know this is the one that he wore in that scene," he said.
There are just under 2,000 lots up for auction. They're expecting to make a total of around $14 million. The auction can be followed live on Propstore's website from 1500 GMT on Thursday November 9.
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