Icons Mary Poppins Flying Umbrella Prop Prototype

Unseen for more than 20 years, the Icons - Mary Poppins umbrella prototype was the first to be presented to the Walt Disney Corporation, as a prototype for licensing for a 1:1 scale prop replica.

Disney borrowed the Icons umbrella and referenced it to make their first (lower-priced / less detailed) replica, as at the time, they did not know where the original "Hero" prop was and were totally unfamiliar with the Film & Television prop replica market.

Icons' head of  R&D Peter Greenwood tracked down the original plaster "Buck" (or sculpture master) for the prop Poppin's umbrella parrot handle, from the estate of the prop master on the original film. It was a first generation, plaster casting. The original buck was cast from a mold taken off of the original parrot-head sculpture, created by a member of the productions Art Department.

The umbrella portion of the prototype was made in the U.K. by an umbrella company, which was very difficult to track down. The fabric is old-fashioned and very thick, with nice quality accents. The parrot handle features inset glass eyes and amazing, detailed paint job. Very reminiscent of the screen-used original.

The picture below is a concept advertisement for the Poppins umbrella replica, with some Disney's annotations.

Icons T-shirts

Depicted here is an original and quite scarce Star Wars : Men Behind The Mask's World Tour Original Prototype T-shirt. 25 years ago in 1995, Icons secured the first Star Wars 1:1 scale prop replica license and was trying to find unique ways to promote Star Wars and the upcoming 20th anniversary in 1997. 
At the time there was no yearly "Star Wars Celebration" Convention and Lucasfilm refused to grant a license to any company to produce Star Wars conventions including Creation Entertainment.
In 1993/1994 Icons co-founder James Latta had co-produced / co-promoted a quarterly convention called "The Back to the Past Show" which was held in Pasadena, California. Actor David Prowse who had wore the Darth Vader costume in the first Star Wars trilogy was a featured guest at one of these events and had appeared on Jim's weekly collectibles television show "The Sci-Fi Trader" which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. 
Prowse mentioned to Jim that he was aware of the location of several other Star Wars supporting actors who wore masks & costumes in the original trilogy. Now mind you at the time there was no announcement of a new Star Wars Trilogy being produced.
Latta came up with the concept of locating Star Wars actors who wore unique masks and costumes in the trilogy and put them out on tour. Dubbing the concept "Star Wars : Men Behind The Masks". 

So, under the supervision of Latta, Icons created, produced, sponsored and coordinated a 160 City Worldwide Tour of the supporting Actors from Star Wars, fully sanctioned by Lucasfilm LTD, in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of Star Wars.
The tour would feature David (Darth Vader) Prowse, Anthony (C3-PO) Daniels, Kenny (R2-D2) Baker, Peter (Chewbacca) Mayhew, Jeremy (Boba Fett) Bulloch, Warwick (Wickett) Davis, Maria (Greedo) de Aragon, Michael (Bib Fortuna) Carter, John (Lobot) Hollis and many others.

Just prior to the start of the production of this T-shirt, the Star Wars : Men Behind The Masks logo was changed (see above) to remove the words "Star Wars" following the announcement that Pepsi-Cola had secured the rights to all of the Star Wars characters in a billion dollar marketing deal.

"The Blue Shirts"...because everyone had one on (Al Zequeira, Alan Payne, the Fab & Design guys...), that's how Icons staff was called in 1996, when Icons debuted at Comic Con, after a year in secrecy. No one knew that the company was premiering at the show (upset many bootleggers...LOL).
I think only 8 to 12 of these were produced. They were made for trade-shows/conventions. The Icons logo is metallic gold. Very good quality.

This is the Icons "saber construction crew" T-shirt. Made especially for the guys working on the assembly line of the first-time ever Star Wars authenticated and licensed lightsaber replica made by Icons. Few of that one were made. Also shown is the concept art drawing for that T-shirt, designed by Daren Dochterman.

That is one of the first T-shirts made at Icons. You can find pics of Mike Moore and Steve Horch wearing them during photo sessions at Skywalker Ranch, during Icons prototyping period in 1995, when studying some pieces from Lucasfilm...very rare item (with first and never seen after Icons logo) and a piece of history :-)

Those are two Icons Collector Society T-shirts. They were sent to customers who subscribed to the ICS.

This is a gift from Mike & Nancy who received their Icons B9 robot........

Icons Concept Art Drawings

Here are some concept art drawings from Daren Dochterman and Tone for the "I Dream Of Jeannie" bottle....really vibrant colors, amazing work !!!

Here's a rare Icons Lost in Space Jupiter 2 original ink cutaway design schematic drawing master, detailing the amazing interior of the Spacecraft, as it was intended to be manufactured by the legendary and controversial Film & Television replica company.

This drawing was hand-rendered by Artist Tone Rodriguez in black ink on thick white Artboard, with corrections in white-out, over 21 years ago in 1999. This piece was not only utilized as a reference schematic for Licensing approval, Product Development and Fabrication, but also the master for a limited run of black and white copies, which were sent to Icons customers.

This is another concept art drawing made by Tone, for the Icons T2 Endo-rifle replica. That rifle was supposed to measure an impressive 33 inches long by 15 inches high, wearing a custom battle-worn paint finish. The Endo-rifle rests on a sculpted future war base of simulated scarred rock. 

Tone Rodriguez was discovered at Icons as a deliver driver. Once his extraordinary talents were seen, he became Icons Conceptual Design Artist for Product Development and Licensing. Tone went onto become a popular Comic Book Artist, the industry he still works in today.

Here are some concept drawings made by Artist Daren Dochterman, dated 1995, for the Icons Star Wars line.....

Icons Rocketman/Commando Cody Helmet Prototype

Rocketman, King of the Rocket Men comes from the classic heyday of the serial. It was made at the time that serials were starting to die out due to a combination of waning interest and the pitifully low budgets caused by Wartime shortages. And certainly, King of the Rocket Men is among one of Republic Pictures more routine. Rocketman was at least one of the few superheroes original to the serials, combining the then popular serial themes of the masked superhero - Batman (1943), The Phantom, Zorro etc - along with that of the flying ace hero - Ace Drummond (1936), The Masked Marvel (1943).

The origins of the Rocket Men date back to 1940 when artist Jon Small created a comic book character known as Bulletman. In 1949, Republic Pictures first introduced it's famous flying suit in King of the Rocket Men. It proved to be Republic's last top-notch serial production.

By the early fifties, science-fiction was becoming increasingly popular among matinee moviegoers. To answer the call and because Republic Pictures clearly decided that having expended the money to make the Rocketman costume that they would get the maximum usage out of it, they reused it in three subsequent serials : Radar Men from the Moon (1952), this serial offered a space age spin as well as a new character, dubbed Commando Cody. Radar Men utilized much of the stock flying footage seen in King of the Rocket Men, with a few new take-offs and airborne close ups thrown in.

Later that same year, Republic released two more adventures showcasing the well traveled rocket suit. As the serial era began to draw to a close, the Studio attempted to break into the low budget, juvenille-oriented television market. Commando Cody, Sky Marshal of the Universe was produced in twelve complete episodes without cliffhanger endings. Although it originally aired theatricaly, most remember seeing it during a 1955 T.V. run. After the first three Sky Marshal episodes were in the can, the Studio shifted gears and began filming the third and final flying suit serial, Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952). And of course, more recently, 42 years later, artist Dave Stevens breathed new life into the jet-powered hero with his character in Disney's Rocketeer (1991) - a film that had a larger budget than just about every serial ever made put together.

I was told that Mike Moore, Vice President of the Icons Fabrication & Design Group and one of Icons co-founders, had access to a "Hero" helmet used in filming and could therefore have a mold made off of it....which was rare to be able to do. This replica prototype is made in fiberglass with the addition of other materials (metal hinges, mouth grill, smoke lenses...). First time advertised.....I didn't know this one even existed until I saw it !!!

The Rocketman helmet at Icons in the conference / showroom, with James Latta, Jonathan Harris and Douglas Conway....

Icons Star Trek Replicas Prototypes

Icons in-house special effects team, the Fabrication & Design Group broke new ground in the collectible industry with its exquisite prototyping of Icons products and its supervising of the manufacture of each Icons limited edition.

Each Fab & Design artisan had an impressive list of film and television credits under his belt. As a division of Icons, the Fab & Design team has contributed props, set pieces and/or wardrobe to such popular science-fiction television shows as Star Trek : Voyager, Star Trek : Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5 and Third Rock From The Sun.

"We're very proud of our Fabrication & Design shop" exclaimed James Latta. Most especially of the Star Trek : Deep Space Nine cross over episode "Trials and Tribble-ations". Icons F&D built replica Tricorders, Communicators and Phasers for the episode as well as set pieces for a replica bridge including a Captain's chair, the full-size helm control and bridge chairs.

Paramount Pictures was so impressed with the quality of the replicas it contracted Icons to replicate new Star Trek artifacts for the History of the Future Museum at the Star Trek Experience attraction Las Vegas Hilton.

Icons R&D molded and mastered over 30 Star Trek prop replicas for the Star Trek Experience. That's where most of the Master Replicas and Roddenberry props came from (yes, Icons too...). They were R&D, reverse-engineered and molded at Icons in 1996 by Icons staff, using Icons materials and equipment on Icons dime.

The Master Replicas Star Trek TOS Communicator, Phaser and Tricorder and TOS Klingon pistol and STTNG Phaser (by HMS) were all R&D and mastered at Icons expense (private funding) in 1996 and 1997. Same Icons blood running through these prop replicas. Why ?...Because HMS is owned by one of Icons co-founders, Mike Moore. This has been a closely guarded secret for many years. As V.P. of manufacturing and a co-founder, Mike was in charge of making every Icons product from 1996 until the end of 1997, when Doug Conway ousted him :-(

Icons Batman Forever Sonar-Batcowl Prototype

Here is a 1:1 scale authentic replica of the original Sonar Batcowl worn by actor Val Kilmer in the feature film Batman Forever.

This extraordinary display piece was produced by Icons Authentic Replicas in 1997. It was intended to be sold in Warner Brothers Gallery Stores before Icons closed their doors forever. Icons also produced, in conjunction with Warner Bros Gallery's, 1:1 scale replicas of the Batman's Batarang and Robin's Redbird, which were sold out not long after release.

What is amazing about this piece, besides its striking appearance, is unlike foam or latex which dries out and eventually disintegrates, this Batcowl was cast directly from the original Bat-shop studio mould in fibreglass. It will never rot or decay !!

It was prototyped by one of Icons talented fabricators (Jeff White), who is now a Walt Disney Imagineer. The paint finish is awe-inspiring. It appears like it is an automotive metal flake custom paint job. Very illustrious and sealed with a lacquer finish that makes it look like it was painted yesterday. If I remember correctly, the paint was a kind of "Luminescent black".

This piece drew many compliments while it was on display at Icons legendary memorabilia replica conference room from 1997 to 2000. It has been in Jim Latta's private collection for over 5 years. It resides now in a private collection in London, United Kingdom.

Icons "The Ten Commandments" Tablets Prototype (1996)

Here is my most prized possession... 

The Prototype #1 of only 1 set made... 

Here's an astounding, rarely photographed or ever seen, prototype from the pioneer in Film and Television Studio Licensed prop and miniature 1:1 scale replicas, Icons Authentic Replicas...a set of authentic "Moses Tablets" replica molded directly off of the production-used originals seen in the classic Biblical Epic The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston (Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes, Omega Man, Soylent Green...) who portrayed Moses and Directed by legendary Hollywood mogul Cecil B. DeMille. 

This amazing display piece, consists of "2" first-generation cast replicas of the prop Tablets actually used in the film. Icons had only 24 hours to conduct the molding process of the originals, as the Tablets were enroute to Christie's Auction House in New York City. 

Access to the screen-used originals was provided by the Cecil B. DeMille Foundation to Icons R&D and Prototype Fabrication Department. 

After molding, the originals were express-shipped to Christie's where they sold in excess of $68,000.00 USD at auction, a world-record at the time. 

The replica castings were prepped and then painted by an independent custom paint & finish artist, who had been utilized for various Television projects by Paramount Pictures (the Licensor of The Ten Commandments), including working on various incarnations of the Star Trek TV franchise. The simulated stone-like paint finish on the original prop Tablets and the engraved "Pre-Canaanite" lettering (which preceded Hebrew) was meticulously replicated on the Icons prop replicas with fine-art results. This was done on all surface areas of the Prop Tablets. 

A massive, custom-made, display case was then fabricated for The Ten Commandments Tablet prop replicas, with custom-made Plexiglas mounts which gently hold the Tablets in place, in the museum-quality display case. Which has an over-sized custom wall-mount hanging bracket. 

The displays all-metal, over-sized plaque features both the Icons Authentic Replicas logo and Paramount Studios logo and reads "The Ten Commandments", "PROTOTYPE". This was a proposed Icons licensed replica display that sadly was never realized by the visionary company. 

In Icons 5 years in business, only "1" of these "dream replica displays" was ever produced. And only "1" set of Tablets were ever cast, prepped and finished at Icons. 

This is the actual, legendary prop replica display which was on exhibit in Icons memorabilia adorned conference room from 1996 to 2000.

The Tablets at Icons in the conference / showroom....

Icons Indiana Jones IDOL "Study" Prototype

The Raiders of the lost Ark "Fertility Goddess Idol" prop replica is a gorgeous, unknown generation casting, taken directly from the screen-used original. This piece was finished and spray painted metallic gold as a study model and for discussion purposes with Lucasfilm Ltd. 

It was cast, prepped and painted in 1995 for submittal to the Studio, as possible licensed product by Icons Authentic Replicas. 

Icons was slated to assume all licensing rights to the Indiana Jones films in the Prop, Miniature replica category by LFL. 

 

Icons Lost In Space Jupiter 2 Prototype

For the first time, it was nearly possible to invest in a precise recreation of the legendary Jupiter 2 Miniature from the classic television series Lost in Space.

Accurately downsized from the 4ft. special effects beauty miniature utilized in the making of the series.
 

The officially-authorized Icons Authentic Replicas Jupiter 2 Miniature had fold-up landing gear, fully-illuminated alternating engine core lights, illuminated bubble dome and cockpit mock-up with windshield.
 

That miniature was researched, designed, hand-crafted and drafted by project director Jim Key (who was realizing a dream-come-true after several years !!). A friend of mine told me that if Jim Key could have climbed into the J-2 and flew away from Earth ?....he would have !! He treated the project as if he was a real rocket scientist at NASA :-)
 

The miniature was mostly made of resin, with white metal legs, some brass and vacu-formed polyvinyl butyrate. It had a hand painted and custom professional air-brushed paint job. The landing gear was retractable, the fusion core was removable and the ship had a complete cockpit. The display base was supposed to be detailed to replicate the landing area in the "Ghost Planet" episode of the television series.
 

The Icons Jupiter 2 prototype was nearly completed but needed a little bit more of work, to be fully finished.
 

This is the only prototype Jupiter 2 Icons ever made and it is the property of "Uncle Odie's Collectibles" in the U.S.A. You can read more about that replica on his website.

Icons Lab Coat

This is the Icons lab coat worn by Al Zequeira on all Icons photo session :-) 

A awesome piece painted by in-house Mireya Romo, now lead painter at Gentle Giant. Mireya had to do it FAST...
Jim Latta brought her an image of the Icons logo and she worked on it immediately.
Hand painted in maybe 2-3 hours...whew !!!

Al Z. during the photo session.



Icons Disneyland "TWA Moon Liner" Imagineering Study Model Maquette Replica Prototype (1998)

Huge Prototype #1 (of 2 made) of un-produced licensed Icons / Walt Disney Art Classics miniature. 

In 1997-98 Icons secured the master license to produce 1:1 scale authentic replicas based on Walt Disney Imagineering's Theme park attraction miniature study models and replicas based on props, wardrobe and miniatures seen in numerous Disney Feature Films, including : Mary Poppins, The Rocketeer, The Black Hole, Tron and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. 

Icons at this time was considered the world leader in the manufacture and distribution of authentic Film and Television Production artifact replicas. The company's Star Wars products were called "The Crown Jewels" of the Lucasfilm Ltd. licensing family. Over 40,000 replicas were manufactured in the pioneering company's Sun Valley & North Hollywood locations. The company's fall from grace is the stuff of business legend. 

The item showed here is the original manufacturers prototype of a staggering proposed product....a 1:1 scale authentic replica of a "TWA Moon Liner" miniature, utilized in the planning stages of the construction of the full size one, built for and operated at Disneyland. 

Icons was given unprecedented access to both Walt Disney Imagineering and the legendary Disney Archives, for research purposes including access to blueprints, drawings and photographs, etc...But like many of Icons outstanding products, Icons R&D staff also relied on their world-wide network of contacts to procure original reference material. 

Much of Icons staff were diehard Walt Disney enthusiasts. A retired Walt Disney Imagineer living in Arizona, USA, was tracked down and his personal copy of a casting of the original TWA Moon Liner miniature was procured. Photographs of Walt Disney holding a similar model to this one (primarily the main body area, though with less detail), was located and helped establish the authenticity of the miniature located in Arizona. 

The craftsmanship of this incredible replica is exquisite ! The casting itself is of great quality. The main body area is hollow at one end and mounts onto a clear plexiglas rod for added display strength. The 3 landing gear act as practical support mechanisms to the display. The landing gear is beautifully made, consisting of multiple parts, also handcrafted, including small metal rods that brace the assembly. 

Obviously the paint finish of the prototype is exquisite. Painted by an award-winning professional miniature painter (Larry Taylor). If you look closely, you can see the exceptional detail work including the hatch door and port windows. As well as the bold red accents to the entire piece. 

The TWA Moon Liner rests on a black melamine-board base, complete with the original Walt Disney / Icons all metal plaque, which states "Disneyland...Tomorrowland's..."Moon Liner"...1955-1966...Prototype". 

The center area beneath the Moon Liner consists of a cast, cylindrical object, which was machined and molded prior to casting. It is painted with a fine silver-metallic paint finish. 

And to sweeten the deal, the replica comes with the original plexiglas case, which covers the entire model top to bottom, that was fabricated by Icons internally. 

Measures 30" tall !!

 

Al Z. and Larry Taylor working on the piece !!!



Icons 1st Season "Stunt" 1:1 Scale Laser Prop Pistol Replica, "Brown-Handle Grip" Prototype (1996)

Here is an extremely rare prototype from one of Icons best selling 1:1 scale Studio licensed, authorized and authenticated prop replica product lines, a non-functioning 1st season laser pistol from the beloved and classic television series Lost in Space. 

Behind Star Wars and Terminator, Lost in Space was Icons best-selling product line. These stunning prop replicas were sold through quality retailers such as FAO Schwarz and The Sharper Image. Several hundred were sold & shipped to collectors all over the world. 

The original prop pistols used in the 1st season (and often 2nd season) seen on the popular T.V. series, Lost in Space, were originally created by 20th Century Fox Studios prop fabricators, who created them by molding a readily available Remco brand toy pistol, found at department stores in the early 1960's. These talented prop makers took the original toy and modified it by adding changes, such as a large simulated battery compartment, the simulated brass-colored target aims, a simulated battery-energy regulator light, the brass-colored cylindrical feature near the barrel and the red cone at the end of the pistol barrel (both solid and red translucent-clear for the illuminated "Hero" prop version). 

The cast and modified body of the Lost in Space prop pistol was painted solid black, which appeared visually stimulating on-screen combined with it's brass and deep red colored accents. 

Both "Hero" electronic, functioning illuminated prop pistols, as well as "Stunt" non-functioning versions, were constructed for production use on the Lost in Space television series. The illuminated versions interestingly assisted 20th Century Fox sound engineers with sound effect cues. And the illuminated "Hero" versions of the prop laser pistol also helped the actors during filming on set, feel like they were actually firing a futuristic laser weapon at some strange alien creature or huge space monster, like the dreaded Giant Cyclops.... 

Icons produced three (3) 1st season prop replica prototypes for approval by the Studio licensor on the Lost in Space property at the time, New Line Cinema who produced the much loathed and horrible Lost in Space big budget feature film released in 1997. 

1st one was painted solid black with 2 brown hand grips on either side of the prop pistol handle (as were occasionally seen on the Lost in Space T.V. series), the 2nd was painted solid black with black grips on either side of the prop pistol handle, as was the primary version seen on the T.V. program. And finally, the 3rd one, that one, a brown handled "Stunt" (non functioning) version of the 1st season Lost in Space laser pistol. 

This scarce, 24 year old, rarely seen, 1:1 scale, Studio licensed, authorized and authenticated Lost in Space 1st Season prop pistol replica is extremely well-made and gorgeous ! As you can see by the picture above. 

The 3 display plaques that are featured in the display case are very unique. They are the 1st (all metal cast & etched) Lost in Space celebrity signature plaques that were ever produced for this product line, plus a standard plaque bearing an AP number.

Icons Jurassic Park Velociraptor "Wall" Claw Prototype (1996)

Here we have yet another very interesting early Icons prototype. It is a Universal Studio licensed Jurassic Park Velociraptor dinosaur claw replica prototype, molded off of an original used in filming.

5 variations of Icons Jurassic Park claw prototypes were created at the same time, to present to Universal Studio licensing in order to determine which Jurassic Park Velociraptor claw display would eventually be chosen for manufacturing. It is very interesting to see these variations which include an alternate display case in one unit (mine) and an alternate paint scheme on both the claw replica and its background in another (not shown).

This particular replica is one of the 5 un-produced Icons Velociraptor claw prototypes, known as the "wall-claw" version because of the display stand where the claw does not sit "flat" but hanging on the black plexi-background panel, just under an original affixed photograph of a Velociraptor as seen during filming, printed from a master negative supplied to Icons by Universal Studio's.

The other individual Icons Velociraptor claw replica horizontal display prototypes were created to simulate an archeologist discovery. Each of these 5 prototypes was designed, developed and fabricated by and under the direct supervision of a special effects and prop fabrication film & television professional.

The Icons claw was molded as 1st generation replica, directly off of a screen-used original used in the filming of Steven Spielberg's mega-blockbuster, Jurassic Park, which was a landmark achievement in visual effects at the time of its release. Perfectly melding classic creature effects with sophisticated high-tech CGI technology. If you watch the film again closely, there is a beautiful close-up shot of the claw when the Velociraptors hunt the two children in the movie, while they hide in the kitchen area of the main complex on the fictional Jurassic Park Island. Watch as one of the menacing Velociraptor's taps its claw repeatedly on the floor in anticipation of the kill.

The Icons Velociraptor claw replicas were sold through a variety of channels, including at the "Jurassic Park The Ride" gift shop at Universal Studios in Universal City, California.

Included in the display, two original Icons prototype display plaques for the claw replica, one bearing the first and more intricate Icons pedestal logo.

Icons "The Vault" Collectors Society Official Catalogs

Here we have Icons official Collectors Society magazines / catalogs.

As most collectors know, the Icons Vault magazines / catalogs have become quite collectible in their own right. Only 3 Vaults (with #3 being a double issue) were produced by Icons Graphic Design and Marketing department, who were very caught up in the excessive growth of the company and focusing most of their energies on Certificate of Authenticity documents, plaque design, packaging, sales kits, advertising, etc...

Vault #1 was only 4 pages long. Vault #2 was 20 pages long. The legendary Vault #3/4 was over 75 pages and has sold on eBay in excess of $80.00 each. That edition of the Vault #3/4 really shows the mindset of the company in the Spring / Summer of 1998. That issue really was the swansong of Icons Marketing & Graphic Design department. Collectors rarely let editions of the Vault go due to their limited print runs and the fact that they tend to increase the value of an Icons replica if the edition is kept with the product.

"Vaults" are an indepth quarterly journal which takes us behind the scenes of Icons and the unsung special effects artisans of Hollywood. They're filled with interviews, feature stories and special studio updates on Icons editions and more !!

Icons Magazines

Icons has received exclusive media coverage with the following magazines : Sci-Fi Universe, HFX Magazine, The Official Guide to Star Wars Toys, Go Figure ! and many more....and have included many fine specialty retailers such as The Sharper Image, F.A.O. Schwarz, The Warner Bro. Studio Store, The Smithsonian Institute, Walt Disney, Universal Theme Parks, and Icons products appeal to collectors all over the world, especially in countries such as Japan, The United Kingdom and France.

Icons Predator 2 Disc

This Icons disc was molded from an original Predator 2 throwing disc weapon used in the production of Predator 2. The unique wall mount display was created by noted Hollywood special effects artisan Brian Bero. It appears to be constructed from a fiberglass material.

Boris Karloff Rare Fiberglass Life-Mask Icons Prototype (With Etched Signature Plaque)

Shown here is a rare original Icons Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Mummy etc...) licensed Icons manufacturers prototype, produced by Icons in 1998. Unbeknown to Icons collectors, the company secured the license from the Karloff Estate for this piece and had planned to produce an extensive line of 1:1 scale life castings of Icons of Film & Television. With the Karloff Life-Mask being the first in a series.

Only "4" of these were made. One is in the collection of Sara Karloff, the three others with private collectors.

Long bootlegged (the quality often very substandard compared to this beautiful casting), Life-Masks have not been licensed to my knowledge, which makes this prototype quite scarce. It was to be the first of many licensed Life-Masks that were planned, but the collectibles company Icons closed after 5 years in business (1995 to 2000) and this Boris Karloff Life-Mask was never released or sold to the public.

Life-Masks are made in Hollywood directly off of actors faces to be used in the creation and casting of latex foam make-up appliances. Having historically been produced since the early days of make-up effects.

This one in particular was molded (or pulled) from a 1st or 2nd generation copy of an original. It is so detailed you can even see Boris Karloff's eyelashes !!
What is rare about this piece, besides being a prototype, is the fact that it is made of lightweight fiberglass (vs. plaster, which is used most often in bootlegg Life-Mask castings that are sold) and as you can see, it is a 3/4 head life-casting. Mr Karloff's ears are cast on the sides.

Go compare this Karloff Life-Mask casting to any for sale on eBay or on the Internet. There is no comparison. Most do not feature the ears, are 3rd, 4th and 5th generation copies, losing much of the detail in the facial features, forehead, scalp and neck area.
Additionally they have often been re-sculpted on important areas such as the eyebrows etc.
The condition is impressive as you can see. The burnished patina custom paint job was provided by a Film & Television painter who was a lead at Icons (either Vince Odoni or Brian Bero).

The piece features an etched plaque with Karloff's signature engraved on its surface, copied directly off of one of his original autographs.

Sadly this piece never made it to the production line and is shown here publicly for the first time. So top-secret was this project at Icons, this prototype was not shown in Icons conference room.

Icons Jim Latta recalls "Life-Mask collectors had been producing bootleg copies and selling them for many years when we secured the license from the Karloff estate for this piece. As it was, Icons had significantly taken away from the unauthorized sales of unlicensed prop replicas. It was quite obvious that if we announced the Icons Life-Mask replica line, we would have made even more enemies, so this prototype was never displayed".

A fascinating piece of Hollywood Memorabilia as well as being a rare manufacturing prototype, for an awesome and historic product line that was never released.

Here is the original (signed by Sara Karloff, the daughter of the legendary Boris Karloff and the curator of the Karloff estate) of the faxed licensing agreement issued in 1998, for this proposed product.
The document features the facsimile signature of Mr Karloff.



Icons The Black Hole Sentry Pistol

As usual with Disney, the Studio asked for 6 samples to be made for product approval.

Only 6 were completed (replica, display stand & numbered plaque, paperwork, box & foam), no more.

The following picture is a concept advertisement for the Sentry pistol replica, with some Disney's hand-written corrections.

Icons MIB Noisy Cricket

In analyzing the original screen-used prop, it was found that in order to assemble hundreds of units, the internal engineering of the piece had to be carefully redesigned.

Only a few were fabricated for use in the film and cost the Studio thousands of dollars each.

Additionally, on the original prop, the trigger did not move or illuminate the barrel portion of the gun. At Icons, it was unanimously suggested that the trigger should illuminate the barrel each time it was pulled.

Icons strived to authentically replicate without altering original design specifications but occasionally, they artistically enhanced a piece such as adding this feature to the Men in Black Noisy Cricket.

Icons Star Wars Luke Skywalker ROTJ Lightsaber Prototype

Here is the Luke Skywalker ROTJ Lightsaber Prototype....only one made !! (A great "thank you" to Robert Mannion, the maker/machinist, for that awesome piece).