As June approaches, feelings of anticipation grow among employees at Propstore. In a matter of weeks, months of planning and hard work will be showcased for all to see.
Propstore will host The Propstore Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction- Los Angeles in Valencia next month. Having last occured in 2021, this will be the store’s third event.
“I would say it’s a turning point, but it should be a milestone in that it is our largest auction,” said Chuck Costas, Propstore’s Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. “We’ve never offered 1800 lots plus lots [of memorabilia] before…this is our first four-day auction so I think from that perspective, there’s more to offer to people.”
Renowned among cinema and television enthusiasts, Propstore is a leading vendor of entertainment memorabilia and received the Queen’s Award for Excellence in Industry in 2020.
“It’s something that you actually apply for,” explained Costas. “[You] go through a process in England to win as far as showing your business… we met the standards and you know, won an award for doing that.”
Currently, Propstore receives its inventory through globally-recognized studio partners, along with other sources. All memorabilia are backed by a certificate of authenticity.
“When we get it from the studios, it’s very clear where it came from. We literally took it off the set,” explained Costas. “When we go for vintage items, we really try to understand the chain of ownership.”
While Propstore hosts auction events throughout the year, the EMLA is the one that takes the longest to plan.
“It’s all year that we spend to prepare for it and we’re always out gathering new items,” said Costas. “I’d say a majority of the items probably show up in the three months preceding the auction. So, throughout the year, we’re researching the items.”
The EMLA will take place June 21-24. The event will include props, costumes, comics, comic art, and entertainment memorabilia from over 600 films and TV shows.
Potential buyers have the option of bidding for items in-person, online, and over the phone. The event is expected to bring in millions of dollars.
“I think we’ve estimated at over $9 million for this,” said Costas. [I] wouldn’t be surprised if it goes a little bit more, just depends. Sometimes it’s driven by a few items that go far over the estimate.”
With the date of the EMLA fast approaching, Propstore is working hard. However, the preparation of the event is a team effort.
“Planning events like this is almost like playing on a sports team,” explained Francisco Berrios, Propstore shipping manager. “You have people who do this stuff and you have people who do that stuff. So, I think by the end and once everything gets done, it’ll be like winning a championship game. I think we’ll all feel a great sense of relief and pride and honestly, a sense of accomplishment from all the work that every department has put into making this as special as it is this year.”
Along with new items to take home, Propstore hopes the event will bring happiness to bidders.
“I hope that this event accomplishes that feeling that people get when they’re excited to see something that they’re really into,” said Berrios. “So, one of the things that we hope we can accomplish with this [event] is just bring happiness to someone’s home.”
1 comment
Propstore is thief! Don’t buy from them.