One of the highlight events from the programing for this weekend's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is the Iron Man Prop Auction, being hosted by Marvel Studios and Propworx. Recently, we had a chance to sit down with Propworx's Alec Peters to discuss the history of the company, the upcoming auction and the collecting hobby.
Peters, an avid collector of sci-fi props, started Propworx in 2006 and has since seen the company grow into one of the largest sources for studio prop and costume auctions.
Comics Price Guide (CPG): So Alec, what is the origin of Propworx?
Alec Peters (AP): Propworx started when, as a collector and successful entrepreneur, I pitched NBC/Universal when Battlestar Galactica was coming to an end. As one of the largest collectors of screen-used Star Trek props and costumes (I write the Star Trek Prop Blog at www.startrekprops.com), I had some experience in the hobby and am also used to building companies. Battlestar was a great opportunity and we sold over 8,000 items over 15 months.
CPG: You are a serious collector of Star Trek props. Does collecting what you do for a living add to your day-to-day enjoyment of your work?
AP: Well, everyone should be so lucky to do for a living what they love as a hobby. Yes, I love my job and I count myself blessed. I mean I get to talk about my favorite hobby all the time and write it off on my taxes!
CPG: How does being a collector yourself add to Propworx serving the colelctibles market?
AP: Well, we know what all the issues are as collectors. So we have great customer service, use a special hologram system to tie the prop to the Certificate of Authenticity, and we don't sell items we can't be sure are real. Plus, we treat every property with great care as we really respect the subject matter. We are all fans at Propworx and we love these shows. And because we sell at auction, people pay market price on items. The prop companies out there are notoriously overpriced.
CPG: How does Propworx obtain the props and memorabilia for auction?
AP: We do deals directly with the studios. Our items literally come off the set!
CPG: From what other movies and television programs have you auctioned off props?
AP: Well, we've auctioned items from Battlestar Galactica, iron Man, Star Trek, Stargate, Defying Gravity and we are doing an auction for Kevin Smith.
CPG: From what you've said, you had a very successful auction when you sold the Battlestar Galactica props. What were your expectations going into that sale, given the serious fan interest in the televison show?
AP: Well, we actually hit all of our sales goals, and blew out the sales goals NBC had. My overall goal was to produce a spectacular event, and we did that...twice! We were all huge BSG fans, so it really was an honor.
CPG: You are hosting the Iron Man movie prop auction at the Chicogo Comic & Entertainment Auction (C2E2) this weekend. What are the key highlights featured in this 219-piece auction?
AP: Well, there is the Iron Monger Torso and head which is amazing. The crushed Iron Man helmet, and some of the R/t chest units. Plus a lot of armor pieces, so people from all over can get a piece of the suits!
CPG: How did this auction event at C2E2 come together?
AP: Marvel came to our Battlestar auction and was impressed enough to let us sell the Iron Man assets. I am a comic geek, so it is like working for your favorite company.
CPG: Will you be offering any other Marvel related props in the future?
AP: We hope so. Marvel is waiting to see how successful this auction is because they have never done this before. But if they are happy, then Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America and the Avengers would all be possible.
CPG: That sounds like it would be a great opportunity. Do you have other interesting auction coming up?
AP: Well, Star Trek is this August. That will be items from Star Trek: The Original Series up through Enterprise. We have some amazing items there. Then we have the big Stargate live auction in late August. Followed by Kevin Smith in September or October. Plus, there are always things popping up!
CPG: Well Alec, we'd really like to thank you for taking the time to talk with us!
AP: No problem! See you at the show!
Below are some of the items up for auction this weekend at C2E2.
