Lots of comic books will be sold at Comic-Con this weekend but the owner of a Beverly Hills-based auction house is hoping to interest fans in more unusual pop culture artifacts – such as the “scissor hands” worn by Johnny Depp in “Edward Scissorhands.”
Joe Maddalena, who runs Profiles in History, has a booth set at Comic-Con in hopes of attracting attention for some of the more flush fans to his upcoming eBay auction that starts July 28.
The auction will feature artifacts such as one of Depp’s scissor gloves from Edward Scissorhands, which has an estimated worth of $9000.
Another cutting edge piece of memorabilia is a knife used by Anthony Perkins in Psycho II, which should go for around $1500.
Additional items to be auctioned July 28 (and their estimated values) include:
Humphrey Bogart Naval Officer’s Hat from “The Caine Mutiny,” $1,000-$1,500.
Michael Keaton full Batman costume from the 1989 Tim Burton classic, “Batman,” $40,000-$60,000″
John Belushi signature black two-piece suit from “The Blues Brothers,” $25,000-$35,000.
Dan Aykroyd signature jumpsuit from Ghost Busters. – $8,000-$10,000
Original Tom Jung final concept artwork for the “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” re-release one-sheet poster, $8,000-$10,000.
Complete Samurai armor costume from “The Last Samurai,” $2,000-$3,000
Dick Van Dyke and Matthew Garber jackets worn in the park sequence from “Mary Poppins,” $35,000-$45,000.
Maddalena didn’t bring down every item up for auction to the Comic-Con but he has brought what might be the Sci-Fi holy grail: An armature used in the original movie, “Mighty Joe Young,” which is valued at $100,000.
Even though not every person at the Comic-Con will be able to afford an original light saber from “Star Wars” or a matte painting from “The Wizard of Oz,” Maddalena thinks it’s good business (and good fun) to attend.
“[The Comic-Con crowd] is the most interesting audience in the world. You get an average guy who works at a 7-11 next to a Disney executive. It’s the most American thing.”
“Plus, being here is the ultimate showcase for what is attainable. Not everyone can afford $100,000 for the Mighty Joe Young armature but a fan of Planet Of The Apes can by an original script for $200.”
But while Maddalena is hoping to attract the attention of both high- and low-rolling collectors, he is not using the Con to stock up on his own collection.
“I brought my 12-year-old son so we’re just collecting Yu-Gi-Oh cards.”
Profiles in History’s booth is No. 315 in the Exhibit Hall and the website is www.profilesinhistory.com