My Icons Quest...

Hi everyone, I'm Fred from France.

I knew building and hosting an Icons Museum would be controversial. It's been a hobby of mine the past 17 years to try to acquire rare prototypes or replicas Icons produced and to historically document the company. Which regardless of what happened R&D over 68 props (each one had unique requirements and problems....some went through various versions....3 or 4 different resins etc) and did deliver over 70.000 replicas and was there at the beginning of the industry. This year is the 25th anniversary of Icons being founded in 1995 and the 20th of its sad demise.

I've had to gather stories, anecdotes, memories etc. from employees, collectors, business associates and the multiple founders over the years, many never having been interviewed before, to try and piece things together. There was a lot of  false rumours I've been able to debunk and new facts that turned up that were cross-corroborated.

If there is any incorrect information on the blog, questions or revisions etc. please let me know. I would be more than happy to make changes where needed if the information can be substantiated with my sources.

I hope some will enjoy the blog. It has been a labor of love, regardless of the controversy surrounding the company. To me, Icons was a pioneering company which had a tragic end. I want to acknowledge the positive aspects of the company and set the truth straight where possible. Especially the emphasis on the quality of Icons replicas and the talent of its artisans and its marketing etc.

I'm always looking for new additions to the collection (nothing is for sale here), so please let me know if you come across anything, including photographs, videos, concept artwork, artifacts etc.

Best regards,

Fred

Icons Lost in Space 1st Season Laser Pistol Bill Mumy Signature TEST Plaque

 ICONS Lost in Space First Season Laser Pistol BILLY MUMY's Signature TEST PLATE -

A PRACTICE SIGNATURE TEST PLATE for the ICONS Laser Pistol.

ONLY a few are in existence - this is one of them. 

This test plate has No Number - Blank.

It comes from a collector who sadly passed away and he was a partner of Icons when they made the LiS pistol replica. 

 As the story goes...the felt marker was dry after the first couple test signatures, so they switched to another marker and those signatures on actual plates were the ones which were numbered. Pretty cool story - so our collector friend kept one and the other partner keep the other test plate....not sure who's plate was first...but they are 1 of 2.

Icons LIS B9 ROBOT-MAN

This is a B9 robot from the *Lost in Space* series. It is a Trendmaster model that was converted into a statuette and given to Jim Latta by Mike and Nancy, who had purchased and received their own B9 robot, manufactured by Icons. 

They had a plaque affixed to the front of the base that reads: "ICONS - America's #1 - Robot Man - James Latta, CEO."

This was intended to thank Icons for being the first company to manufacture these 1:1 scale robots, authenticated and certified by the studios.

Unfortunately, many people ordered this robot (which, at the time, cost between $9,000 and $12,000, depending on when the order was placed), yet very, very few actually received them!

On the back of the base, Jim Latta inscribed two quotes:

The first, by Herman Melville:

"He who has never failed somewhere...that man can not be great."

The second, by Homer:

"And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared."

When you know the history of the company Icons Authentic Replicas, these quotes take on their full meaning...

"Back to the Future II" Lenticular Graphic for Hoverboard

 Small sheet of pink Lenticular for Mattel Hoverboard (1997).

One of the most challenging prop replica prototype projects conducted by Icons from 1995 until 2000 was its Back to the Future II Hoverboard 1:1 scale prop replicas.

Icons Director of Product Development (Rob Klein) was one of the most respected Back to the Future authorities (and general Hollywood memorabilia) archivists and collectors in the Collectors circuit.

The talented and driven Rob Klein oversaw numerous Icons replicas being prototyped and was responsible for being the official liaison between all Studio Archivists and Icons, and oversaw the ascertaining of rare R&D materials, as were used in the making of all of the original props and miniatures Icons was replicating.

One difficult endeavour was tracking down the exact-color pink Lenticular graphic material, used in the making of Icons remarkable BTTF II Mattel Hoverboard prototype replica. An incredible amount of detective work was required and Rob Klein performed admirably and was successful in obtaining a roll of the pink Lenticular material.

Here we have a piece of the remaining material, that was left-over after 2 Mattel Hoverboard prototype replicas were created at Icons in 1997-98.

Though Rob was evidently very low key and humble, he is still one of the most respected authorities in the Hollywood memorabilia industry to this day. And has identified, authenticated and saved countless Production artifacts from being lost to time forever. Including those from Back to the Future, Star Trek, Lost in Space, Grease, Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers.

ICONS Prototype TIE Fighter Display Plaque

 A Prototype TIE Fighter Display Plaque crafted by the popular replica manufacturer ICONS.

This prototype is made from metal with a bronze colored perimeter (instead of silver) and glossed front. 

Icons Embossing Stamp

 This is an Icons metal COA embossing stamp.

Most of Icons COAs had those embossed stickers.

Several colors were used : I have seen, silver, gold, red, blue....

Terminator 2 Endo-skull Neck Base model

 

Endo Skull Neck Base - Icons Authentic Replicas endo skull base, unfinished resin - Terminator 2 : Judgment Day (1991) – Unfinished T-800 Endoskeleton Skull Neck & Display Base Kit.
An original, vintage 1990s unfinished 3-part resin casting kit for the T-800 Endoskeleton Skull display base, produced by the pioneering but long-defunct Icons Authentic Replicas.

During the late 1990s, Icons was the premier licensed manufacturer of high-end Hollywood replicas, famously utilizing original screen-used assets to create their molding masters. This lot is an exceptional find for prop builders, modelers, or Terminator collectors looking for a rare piece of licensed memorabilia history to complete a custom build or restore a classic Icons Endo Skull display.

Composition : A complete 3-part assembly including the main display platform, the neck mounting armature, and the interlocking structural components required to support a 1:1 scale T-800 Endoskeleton skull.

Trademark inscription : The underside/reverse of the base features the crisp, molded-in original studio legal line confirming its authentic heritage :

"T2 Terminator 2, Endoskeleton, and the depiction of the Endoskeleton are trademarks of Carolco".

Collector & Builder Note :
Because Icons went out of business in the early 2000s, surviving parts and unbuilt garage kits from their legendary production runs have become incredibly scarce. This kit is in its raw, factory-cast state, offering a blank canvas for a prop builder to sand, prime, and apply a flawless chrome, polished steel, or post-apocalyptic weathered finish. Whether used to replace a damaged vintage Icons base or as the foundation for a custom 1:1 scale cybernetic display, its molded Carolco trademark stamp guarantees its pedigree.