Welcome! As part of its ongoing mission to document the Art and Production History of Star Trek, this site will present technical articles on Star Trek prop and costume authentication - focusing on The Original Series - with detailed photos and episode screenshots to complement the information presented; as well as feature pictorials to showcase Star Trek memorabilia in private & public collections, present rare Behind The Scenes TOS imagery & discuss other topics.
Gerald Gurian is a 40+ year collector of screen used Star Trek memorabilia and a passionate fan of TOS
     
- Star Trek TOS At Auction Part I - Gurian Collection Highlights - Greg Jein TOS Hero Type II Phaser
-Authenticating a TOS Communicator -6 Myths About Star Trek Prop Design -Star Trek 3rd Season Command Tunic
- Design Features of TOS Tricorders -Star Trek Props At National Air & Space - TOS Leatherette Tricorder
- TOS Federation Sciences Dress -Desilu Studio TOS Prop Fabrication - Unreleased Allen/Gurian Prop Photos
- The Beautiful Women of TOS Part I -TOS U.S.S. Enterprise 11' Filming Model - Captain Kirk's Chair from TOS
- Spock Ears -TOS Control Panels & Displays - Mr. Spock's Science Station
- TOS Soundstage at Desilu -TOS Shatner Romulan Pants - The Beautiful Women of TOS Pt. II
- TOS Galileo Shuttlecraft -Greg Jein TOS Cage Laser Pistol - TOS 3rd Season Midgrade Type II Phaser
- Dr. McCoy's Sickbay on TOS -TOS Balok Puppet Head - Captain Kirk "Mirror, Mirror" Tunic
- Greg Jein TOS Hero Tricorder -1992 Smithsonian TOS Cast Video - TOS 1st Season Command Tunic
- TOS "Where No Man" Silver Contact Lenses -TOS Special Effects: The Transporter - The Art of Matt Jefferies
- TOS "Space Seed" Gold Mesh Jumpsuit -Gorn Costume from "Arena" - Rare TOS Behind-the-Scenes Videos
- TOS Stunt Type II Phaser -1993 Bill Theiss Estate Auction - TOS Shatner Command Dress Tunic
- TOS Elasian Royal Guard Tunic -TOS Finnegan Silver "Shore Leave" Tunic - TOS Science Officer Tunic "The Cage"
- TOS Shatner Early 1st Season Command Tunic -William Shatner TOS Tunics At Auction - TOS Shatner Late 1st Season Command Tunic

Friday, February 27, 2015

Leonard Nimoy: 1931 - 2015


This morning at 8:40 am,  Leonard Nimoy passed away at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California; at the age of 83.  His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed to the New York Times that the cause of death was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Last year, Mr. Nimoy had announced that he was suffering from COPD and attributed its cause to decades of smoking - despite the fact that he had quit the habit over 30 years ago.  He had been hospitalized earlier in the week following complaints of severe chest pains.

The world has lost a true gentleman and an exceptionally talented actor, director, author and photographer; who was a source of inspiration to millions of fans.  He was of course best known for his portrayal of Mr. Spock in Star Trek; and books on the making of TOS often recount how he frequently preferred to remain "in character" while on the Desilu soundstage - even during breaks between filming - so as not to lose focus on his portrayal of the Vulcan.  It is also well documented how Mr. Nimoy was always willing to speak out in protest to preserve the integrity of the role if he felt that certain scripts or scenes demanded uncharacteristic behavior from Spock.  Guest actors on the series always remarked on the extreme kindness and professionalism of Nimoy, and what a pleasure he was to perform with.  And, in addition to bringing such an iconic character to life with his extraordinary acting abilities, Mr. Nimoy is also credited with making some key contributions to the design of the Vulcan culture - such as the iconic V shaped hand gesture which accompanied the "Live Long and Prosper" salutation; as well as the famous Vulcan nerve pinch to temporarily disable an opponent.   The use of the pinch was approved after Nimoy spontaneously demonstrated it to a director (with Shatner acting as the recipient who was rendered unconscious) and it was deemed a marked improvement over the "karate chop" which the script had originally called for Spock to perform.

I personally feel fortunate to have met Mr. Nimoy a few times over the years at some of the Star Trek conventions that I attended, and, like millions of fans, feel as if I've lost a family member today.  I recall how gracious and generous he was with his time, and his willingness to interact with fans - especially at some earlier conventions where the pace was not as hectic as the modern day events.  He very kindly consented to pose for a polaroid photo with me when we first met in the '90s at an autograph session after his on-stage appearance - and he even invited me to retake the photo after the first attempt did not come out quite as well as had been hoped for.  We also chatted briefly about Star Trek prop collecting during that first - and for me, very exciting - encounter!  And I have always been impressed with how thoughtful, articulate and insightful his convention remarks were; especially in response to questions posed by fans.  A favorite anecdote that Leonard Nimoy would tell about his days while filming TOS involved the practical jokes played by fellow cast members and how William Shatner once hid Leonard's bicycle high up in the rafters of the Desilu soundstage - with the knowledge and assistance of almost all of the Star Trek production crew.  The bicycle was a necessity for actors to move around between buildings and across the large backlot at the filming studio.  And perhaps another, not as widely known story from Nimoy's past that he took pride in telling was how -- while still struggling to establish a career as an actor -- he performed various odd jobs including driving a taxi for a period of time; and one day was surprised to pick up none other than future President John F. Kennedy for a cab ride!

Below is a sampling of some of the tributes seen online today that just begin to touch upon the magnificent impact his life has had on the world - with words of praise tendered by The White House, NASA, major news/media organizations, his fellow Star Trek actors, hollywood elite and countless fans.   The first two messages are Nimoy's last tweet to us all, sent on Feb. 22 - a profound reflection on life - and a message sent today on his twitter account from his granddaughter ...
 


A short In Memoriam video from TIME magazine ...


Some highlights of Leonard Nimoy as Spock in Star Trek TOS (10 min 24 sec) ...


A sampling of today's tributes ...





















A treasured personal memento - the photo taken at that first convention encounter ...


We are all fortunate that Mr. Nimoy's masterful work in television and on film is a lasting legacy that can continue to inspire ours and future generations ... to boldly go towards the stars and the brighter future for all mankind as envisioned by Star Trek.

The world is thankful for, and will long remember, Leonard Nimoy's extraordinary humanity and inspirational contributions.

Rest In Peace, Leonard.