40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection

40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection was the official title of an auction facilitated by Christie's, New York. Held from 5–7 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 ".

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.

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

Genesis[]

The auction resulted from the wish of the franchise to clear out the Paramount Pictures backlot warehouses of all Star Trek production material, hard on the heels of the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise the previous year, thereby indicating that the franchise was entirely done with Star Trek prime. By presenting it as a 40th anniversary event, the auction therefore attained a certain measure of cynicism (see also: Demise of "The Franchise" in the prime universe). New franchise owner CBS Broadcasting, Inc. – who acquired it from Paramount Pictures pursuant the very recent split of (old) Viacom into (new) Viacom and CBS Corporation – had its staffer Liz Miller seek out Mike and Denise Okuda, long standing members of Star Trek's production staff, to spearhead the auction project. "They had actually been planning an auction for some time. They knew about the importance of this stuff and were looking for people who would treat it seriously and with the proper respect. [Mike and Denise had]...five warehouses of things to go through and we were told that whatever Christie’s didn’t auction would be destroyed. We were horrified and so it became a mission to get as much of the good stuff into the hands of fans as possible because we knew they would take good care of it.", the Okudas recalled on their involvement. (The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction-catalog, p. 26)

Catalog[]

Cover Part Two	"Limited Boxed Set"

Available for this sale was a two-volume catalog containing detailed photographs of the individual items as well as notes and behind-the-scenes comments, prepared by the Okudas. Along with the by the Christie's staff newly taken, for-the-times, high resolution pictures of the items, has concurrently made these two volumes in effect useful reference works as well, as many items were seen clearly for the first time by the general populace at large, beyond their often fleeting on-screen appearances.

The various production-used studio models were perceived as the "stars" of the auction and received their own respective sections in each of the two volumes, and it was therefore that long-serving franchise studio model vendor Greg Jein wrote a foreword, featured in Part One.

Several of the respective photographs taken by the Christie staff turned up later again in the by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann authored 2010-2012 reference books Star Trek: The Original Series 365 and Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 as illustrative backdrops, mostly as full-page spreads.

Versions[]

There were two editions of the catalog available:

• A set which includes only the two volumes in paperback, sold for US$90 before the auction and for US$60 afterwards, having enjoyed a print run of 10,000 copies.
• A "Special Limited Edition Boxed Set" in which the volumes are hardcover and inside a slipcase, and where a lenticular image of the USS Enterprise-D was featured on the box cover. Also included in this edition was a ten-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Michael and Denise Okuda, Robert Blackman, Michael Westmore, and Rod Roddenberry. Much of this footage was incorporated in the later released Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier documentary. It is sold for US$500. [1]^(X) [2]^(X)

Contents[]

Part One Auction Information Specialists and Services for This Auction Special Sale Notices Treksperts and Acknowledgments Introduction Star Trek: The Next Generation movies Session I Star Trek: Enterprise Star Trek: Voyager Session II Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Index Important Notices Buying at Christie's Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty Worldwide Salerooms and Offices Christie's Specialist Departments and Services Christie's International Collectibles Department Absentee Bids Form Catalog Subscriptions

Part Two Auction Information Specialists and Services for This Auction Special Sale Notices Treksperts Star Trek: The Next Generation Session III Star Trek: The Original Series Index Important Notices Buying at Christie's Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty Worldwide Salesrooms and Offices Christie's Specialist Departments and Services Christie's International Collectibles Department Absentee Bids Form Catalog Subscriptions

Errors[]

Some items were incorrectly labeled, including:

• 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 catalog 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 catalog was later corrected, and the lot was retitled "DEANNA TROI'S LAVENDER DRESS".

International tour[]

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

• 19 May – 21 May: Fulda, Germany at FedCon
• 20 July – 23 July: San Diego, CA, USA at Comic-Con
• 3 August – 8 August: London, UK at Christie's South Kensington
• 17 August – 20 August: Las Vegas, NV, USA at The 5th Annual Official Star Trek Convention
• 19 August – 24 August: Uncasville, CT, USA at Mohegan Sun Hotel
• 8 September – 10 September: Seatttle, WA, USA at The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
• 12 September – 16 September: Los Angeles, CA, USA at Christie's Los Angeles
• 29 September – 4 October: New York, NY, USA at Christie's

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, payable to the auction house itself.
• 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
• The total net auction result, minus the otherwise unspecified seller's premium, was pure profit for its consignor, CBS Studios. All production items were already completely written off – indicated by their willingness to trash any and all unsold items – , as it was customary in the motion picture industry to amortize these assets over a production's economic lifespan, typically the projected initial number of ordered episodes for a television series, or the projected number of films when foreseen as a franchise in their initial theater releases in the US home market. Still, even if one discounts the amortization, several items yielded some surprising results. For example, the highest grossing item sold, the below mentioned six-foot Enterprise-D studio model, provided the CBS in this case with an inflation adjusted profit of roughly US$190,000 in 1987 prices, or more that double the US$75,000 the model had originally cost to construct back in 1987.

Highest priced lots[]

Ranked by gavel price, in descending order.

1. Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D →
   Estimate: US$25,000 – US$35,000; Highest bid: US$500,000; Price: US$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 ascending 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 US$110,000. Buyer Frank DeMartino – actually outbid initially, but becoming the auction winner after all when the original winner defaulted on his payment – put the model up for sale immediately afterwards, [3] selling it to noted collector Adam Schneider in whose collection it currently resides.

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 US$110,000 to British collector Adrian Hancock, [4]^(X) who was interviewed in the Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier documentary. Hancock incidentally, also won Lot 702: ROMULAN WARBIRD MINIATURE^(X) (for US$30,000), [5]^(X) and the below-mentioned Lot 694: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-C. [6]^(X)

Lot 493: DEEP SPACE NINE MODEL[]

The principal visual effects model of space station Deep Space 9, sold on October 6, 2006 for US$110,000 to the aforementioned Adam Schneider, a major bidder on, and winner of, the studio models at the auction. (FanAddicts!)

Lot 497: STARSHIP DEFIANT MODEL[]

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

Lot 535: DATA'S HOLOGRAM OF TASHA YAR[]

A 3×5 inch (7.62×12.5 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 US$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 US$300, but after being featured in an article^(X) as an example of one of the surprisingly low-priced items in the auction the estimate was later increased to US$800 – US$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 US$40,000 (US$48,000 with buyer's premium). In Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier, Patrick Stewart commented with laughter, "It doesn't play; it's not a real flute." The flute turned up again at Prop Store's 29 June-2 July 2021 "Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction - Los Angeles" as Lot #242 estimated at US#50,000 – $70,000, eventually selling on 29 June for US$237,500 (without buyer's premium), almost six times the amount the prop had achieved in its initial offering. [7] A by Greg Jein manufactured replica, was passed off as the at US$10,000 estimated real deal Lot #61 in the 7 October 2023 "The Greg Jein Collection" auction by Studio Auctions, still selling for US$27,600 (with buyer's premium).

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 Kieran 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 US$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), and one of the models which appeared on the pre-sale international tour. Sold on October 7, 2006 for US$40,000 as one of the three major winnings of British collector Adrian Hancock as state above. After the death of Hancock in 2013, however, his family decided to resell the model as part of their gradual liquidation of the family's science fiction memorabilia "Hancock Collection", [8] offering it up as Lot 344 in the 23 September 2015 "Entertainment Memorabilia Auction" of Prop Store of London, estimated at £40-60,000, [9] where it sold for UK£37,500. [10]. Just like it had for Christie's, the model went on a pre-sale tour for the general public, appearing on display at several British ComicCons. [11]

It later turned out at an encore in the same Prop Store venue in its November 2022 "Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction (London)", that this model had not been the actual Enterprise-C studio model, but rather a production copy original model builder Greg Jein had constructed for the class' post-"Yesterday's Enterprise" appearances in live-action Star Trek.

Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D[]

The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), sold on October 7, 2006 for US$500,000, by far the highest hammer price for any item in the auction. The item is now in the possession of 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 Constitution-class USS Defiant (NCC-1764) featured in ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly", sold on October 7, 2006 for US$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 US$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 US$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 US$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 US$50,000. Currently resides in the collection of ScienceFictionArchives.com, an European organization that is dedicated to preserve science fiction production assets for public display purposes, such as in museums. [12] This organization incidentally, holds several other items acquired in the auction, [13] including the below-mentioned Lot 988: REGULA ONE SPACE STATION MODEL, [14] and Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL. [15]^(X)

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 Spacedock One 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 US$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 US$40,000.

Lot 996: KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY[]

Filming miniature of a K't'inga-class 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 US$85,000. The model was acquired by Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen for his Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, now known as the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop). [16]

Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL[]

Filming miniature of an Excelsior-class 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 US$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 US$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 US$240,000 as the final lot of the auction. Unknown at the time, and having dropped out of sight for a decade afterwards, it was later uncovered that Amazon.com founder and "Trekkie" Jeff Bezos had acquired the model, when he had it displayed in the foyer of his new Kent, Washington State-based headquarters of his aeronautical and space research firm, Blue Origin, which was opened in March 2016. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Lawsuit[]

On 28 December 2007, The Associated Press reported that Ted Moustakis of New Jersey – who spent US$12,000 at the auction for a uniform and poker visor supposedly worn by Brent Spiner while filming Star Trek: The Next Generation – is now suing Christie's and CBS Paramount for US$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." [22] The case was eventually thrown out by a New York court of appeals. [23]

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[]

• The auction on Christie's website
• Christie's at Wikipedia
• The Star Trek Auction Listings Archive – contains results for the 40 Years Christie's listings.
• Lot 663: Data's Poker Visor^(X) at the The Star Trek Auction Listings Archive
• TV Guide feature^(X)