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

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Iconic Azarian Collection William Shatner 3rd Season "The Paradise Syndrome" Captain Kirk Tunic at Heritage

Presented below are some detailed images of the iconic William Shatner 3rd season Captain Kirk tunic that is currently available as a Post Auction Buy for Direct Sale on the Heritage Auctions website.  The unique braid patterns on the back of both the left and right sleeves of this tunic have been screen matched to an early scene in the fan favorite episode "The Paradise Syndrome" where Kirk is standing on the asteroid deflector with his communicator in both hands saying the famous line "Kirk to Enterprise", which causes him to fall into the underground obelisk chamber.  As many TOS fans will recall, "The Paradise Syndrome" was unique amongst all of the Original Series productions in that it featured a storyline which transpired over several months.  And, of course, this timeless and beautiful love story between Captain Kirk and the Indian maiden Miramanee must surely be regarded as one of Star Trek's finest hours.  The following image shows the precise screen match of this tunic's braid to the early scene on the obelisk.  By clicking on the image, readers can view an enlarged version of it ...

The modern day photograph that captures the detailed rear sleeves braid patterns was actually taken while this tunic was on public exhibition in late October and early November, 2013 prior to its sale in the Julien's Auctions Icons and Idols 2013 Hollywood sale.   The original, unrotated image of the rear braid is shown below, along with some other photos taken while the tunic was on display in both Ireland as well as Los Angeles.  It is noted that the actual Command tunic color used in the 3rd season was Lime Green; which photographed as Gold under the lighting conditions of the Desilu soundstage.  The following pictures have not been color corrected, and it is normal to see variations in color for this fabric across different photo sessions ...

The front chest and patch detail ...

The left arm front braid pattern ...

The right arm front braid pattern ...

Below is the complete Heritage Auctions catalog description as well as its set of catalog photos for this exceptional piece of Star Trek history.   Interested collectors may purchase or submit offers on this tunic, which is also accompanied by a pair of Shatner worn Captain Kirk boots, on the Heritage website at the following link:   https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/entertainment-and-music/william-shatner-capt-james-t-kirk-3rd-season-signed-starfleet-tunic-and-boots-from-star-trek-the-original-series/a/7245-89864.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515