Icons Miniature Endoskull Necklace Charm Prototype

 

 

It is the smallest replica ever proposed / prototyped by Icons. And it would have sold in the thousands of units if it had been produced / released.

This Icons Authentic Replicas Miniature Endoskull Necklace Charm Prototype measuring 1 1/4" high by 3/4" wide, was sculpted, molded and cast in 1998 / 1999.

As you know, Icons was the first licensee for Terminator production replicas, including props and 1:1 scale full-size figures including the Endo-Skull, Endo-Arm, Endo-Rifle and Endo-Skeleton, which were also sold and displayed at the Universal Studios T2-3D attraction in Universal City, California.

This one-of-a-kind prototype casting was produced at Icons as a lower-price point novelty product, which would have been cast in white metal, polished and sold as a Terminator Endoskull necklace or bracelet charm, exclusively in the T2-3D attraction Gift Shop.

Note the red-line ink on the lower portion of the jaw hand-drawn during the engineering phase.

 

As you can see, the detail is amazing. A miracle that piece survived !!!

Icons Jurassic Park Claws

Here are some Jurassic Park claws. 

 

This one under is a special one : it is a unique prototype base and plaque. It has a bit of blood hued paint mixed into it...an experiment !!! Really nice in person...



Star Trek TOS Klingon Disruptor Pistol Set Signature Edition Plaques

Those plaques were part of a special offer !!! 

People who ordered one of Icons Star Trek authentic miniature (Classic D7 Klingon Battle Cruiser) or prop replicas (Klingon Disruptor Set) or both before April 30th of 1998, were suposed to receive a complimentary Klingon Commander Commemorative plaque personally autographed by William Campbell who portrayed the Klingon Koloth in "Trouble with Tribbles" and Trelane in "The Squire of Gothos", Michael Ansara who portrayed Kang in "Day of the Dove" and John Colicos who portrayed Kor in "Errand of Mercy" !!!

I don't know if any of those plaques were ever finished, signed and sent to buyers but I never saw one of them before.

It seems that finally, only William Campbell and Michael Ansara signatures were planned....

Icons Aliens M41-A "Background" Pulse Rifle

Icons Batman Forever Panther Batarang Prototype

10 of these Batarangs were made. Only 1 had the Batcave case (see photos). 9 were stolen in 2000 at Timeless. They were painted by Dave Heilman....a very special color : luminescent black !!!



Icons Excalibur Mordred Battle Helmet Prototype

Here's an incredible, life size, hand-crafted fiberglass Mordred Battle Helmet replica, finished to appear as if it was made of Gold metal. Based on the one seen on screen, in the classic Fantasy Film "Excalibur".

This piece was acquired by James Latta from a contracted Hollywood SPFX Artisan to utilize as the Study Model in Icons efforts to secure the licensing for Excalibur from Warner Bros. Studios in 1997.

As impressive in person as it is in the photos depicted here. Beautifully designed, made and finished.

Unknown to most collectors, Icons Authentic Replicas was in contract negotiations for Excalibur in 1997-98. And was actually issued an Excalibur Prop and Wardrobe replica licensing agreement in 1998 (and for numerous Warner Bros. licenses), prior to the company closing its doors forever. Another unrealized dream for the pioneering replica company. This piece has never been shown before.

As most Prop collectors know, issue #2 of the Icons "Vault" Collectors magazine / catalog featured an in-depth interview with Icons dear friend Terry English, the master armorer for Excalibur, who also built the Colonial Space Marines armor for the movies "Aliens", the armor for "Gladiator" and "The 13th Warrior" just to name a few.
Although Terry fabricated the body-armor for the Mordred character in Excalibur, he did not make the original Mordred helmet, so he did not work on this piece or stamp it with his Armorer mark "TE".

However, although planned, none of the Excalibur replica product-line were produced prior to Icons closure in 2000.

The molds of this piece were NEVER utilized again !! So this is a one-of-a-kind prototype.

Icons Master Plaque Art Binder

That's the master artwork / proofs rendered mostly by Daren Dochterman and Matt Hierly.

This binder was archived at Icons as reference for Director of Product Development (Rob Klein) to archive, in the event plaque art was needed. Whether for reference use for another plaque, a variation on an existing plaque or in the event that the plaque manufacturer lost the plaque art, or Icons possibly switched plaque manufacturing companies (which never occurred).

These were used to produce sheets of plaques to test when they are shown together. Was cost effective. And Icons might have needed a few if there was a problem during the proto process.

The art plaque was the master. It would be taken to an engraving company. They would load it into their computer and print out large embossed sheets of plaques. Then Icons would cut them.

There is a section for each Studio. Much more than shown.

Really interesting to see some artwork for replicas that were never made (Jaws "Bruce", ROTLA "Chachapoyan" Warrior Idol...).

 

Here is a picture of some Icons Skywalker Lightsaber plaques at the stamping unit !!! Not a common thing to see...