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Ebay Item

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:52 am
by Robin 1
Has anyone seen this? I noticed this item posted on ebay this evening, the seller has another item posted as well. I reviewed the episode AAPI where Thomas recieves this award, but the award is clear glass on a wooden base in the episode. Would anyone know if these are actual props from the show used elsewhere?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Magnum-PI-prop-orig ... 7C294%3A50

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:54 pm
by Doc Ibold
My take is either

A) Its a fake... although WHY anyone would go through all that trouble to do that is beyond me.

or

B) Maybe this was the FIRST version of TMs plaque, and they decided to go another route....

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:16 pm
by paperwar
I think it is "B", a prototype.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:53 pm
by N1095A
paperwar wrote:I think it is "B", a prototype.
I tend to agree. The fake or so-called MPI props on Ebay really have no markings or indication that they were actually purchased for, or used on the show except for a COA, which can be produced on any computer. I.E "Authentic candy dish used in Magnum, P.I.". This seems like someone went to some trouble to have produced. It is episode spacific, and could have easily been produced for that episode, but later on someone decided to have it break. Thus a glass version was made and used in the episode. It's highly plausable this was in fact a prototype. However, I would ask questions before spending money on the item. Also remember, it was not actually seen in the episode, just made (maybe) for it. Bid accordingly.
For true authentic MPI items remember that Rick Romer has some real treasures listed on Ebay. They are ending today. If I had the money I would have bid on a couple of them. I.E. the cartoon call sheet, the invoice for the bridge. It's just that money is VERY tight right now. I hope these items find their way to a MM member, and a good home where they are appreciated.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:10 pm
by Sparkle & Fizz
Perhaps it was a gag gift for someone. I can see the friends and family of a die-hard fan having that made up for fun. Years later, it ends up in a yard sale. Someone finds it, assumes it's a prop, and puts it on ebay!

:D

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:18 pm
by golfmobile
As has been pointed, out, it is not the one used in the episode and broken. We (Larry and I) saw that one when in Hawaii last September. There were two made, in case the first glass one got broken by accident before it was supposed to. After the one used was broken, a crew member suggested putting squiggly lines of glue all over the back of the second one, to make it look as though it had been glued together after breaking. The image of TM scrambling around, gathering all the pieces, to glue them back together is amusing. However, none of us has been able -- yet -- to spot the "repaired" one used as a prop in any subsequent episode.

The duplicate after "glueing":
Image

The original, still broken:

Image

Glad now that we were there to see the real one in order to rather confirm that the offering on eBay is not the one used in that episode (but a viewing the episode would prove that too). As mentioned, it could have been the "first plan." But wouldn't "Michael" have known this and probably mentioned it when he showed us this one? He seemed very proud that he was able to come up with the idea to still use the unbroken one. I just think he would have mentioned that there was a "first draft" and then the glass was used. I seem to recall that this was one of his favorite props because he had the idea of re-using it. Based on that assumption (which we all know is worth . . . . .), I would question the provenance of the award being offered on eBay.

I would suggest someone "ask the seller a question" and point out that a glass one was used in the episode -- how does this one have anything to do with that episode? If he can report that it was the first idea and then scrapped for a breakable one, then. . . . maybe?

JMO

golf

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:21 pm
by N1095A
Hey Golf, I do remember seeing the glued version in an episode. I'm thinking it was "A Girl Named Sue" but Unfortunately I don't remember for certain which one it was, but I definately remember seeing it.

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:18 pm
by paperwar
Of course, the glued version appeared one, if not two times. Can be clearly matched piece by piece to Michaels broken version.

The seller of the "ebay-version" doesn't know where it was used for and wether it was a prototype.

PW

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:09 pm
by golfmobile
PW,

Which episode(s)? James can probably post a screenshot of it for us, if we can identify where it appeared.

golf

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:19 pm
by paperwar
Golf, i can look up in my archive. I already compared Michaels' with the screen shots. It matches up perfect, that piece is irrefutable authentic and the screen seen version.

PW

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:18 pm
by Doc Ibold
N1095A wrote:Hey Golf, I do remember seeing the glued version in an episode. I'm thinking it was "A Girl Named Sue" but Unfortunately I don't remember for certain which one it was, but I definately remember seeing it.
I'm almost positive its "Transitions", where magnum is cleaning out his closet.

But I DO recall seeing it.

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:32 pm
by N1095A
Doc Ibold wrote:
N1095A wrote:Hey Golf, I do remember seeing the glued version in an episode. I'm thinking it was "A Girl Named Sue" but Unfortunately I don't remember for certain which one it was, but I definately remember seeing it.
I'm almost positive its "Transitions", where magnum is cleaning out his closet.

But I DO recall seeing it.
Yeah Doc, it was a later episode, of course it's a narrow field of episodes it could be in. As soon as I get the chance I'll try to find it and post a screen shot. Believe it or not, I'm busy in spite of being unemployed :shock:. My brother-in-law works for a landscaping company, and he gave us a whole truckload of plants that need to get into the ground. It seems a ritzy club on the island purchased them for an event, and now that the event is over, the company was stuck with them.

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:30 pm
by Sam
Bingo Doc...I found this picture in the "Transitions" screencaps.
Image

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:51 pm
by golfmobile
Too cool! Value on that little piece of memorabilia just went up, didn't it? Something verifiably used on the set.

I'm feeling "special" because I got to see it and hold it and photograph it :) . . . . . only time in my entire life I was "in the right place at the right time." Usually I'm the "day late and a dollar short" person. :cry:

golf :D

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:03 pm
by N1095A
golfmobile wrote:Too cool! Value on that little piece of memorabilia just went up, didn't it? Something verifiably used on the set.

I'm feeling "special" because I got to see it and hold it and photograph it :) . . . . . only time in my entire life I was "in the right place at the right time." Usually I'm the "day late and a dollar short" person. :cry:

golf :D
Golf, did "Michael" give any indication as to his plans to sell or auction any of the items he has? Being that he has TM's personal item type props as well, I'm wondering if he has the belt buckle. I'd love to see a really good close up photo of that.