KORNGOLD OSCAR for ROBIN HOOD to be auctioned!

[brendangcarroll]

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/88 ... d-korngold

An astonishing piece of news.....those with deep pockets, please make a note.

[robertelee]

Wow, I’ve never seen an Oscar that looked like that, only the statuettes, did they all used to look like that?

[brendangcarroll]

In the 1930s, awards for music, cinematography, costume and set design were considered 2nd tier and recipients were given this plaque style award rather than the full statuette.

I believe it chaanged in 1940.

[brendangcarroll]

Latest news - it's been withdrawn from the auction and is no longer listed.

Very mysterious!

[boblipton]

The Academy claims ownership of all the statues... even though it’s up to aspirlberg to buy them and return them to the family.

Bob

[brendangcarroll]

I don't understand your reply Bob. Please explain - what is aspirlberg????

[boblipton]

The Academy claims ownership of all the statues... even though it’s up to Spielberg to buy them and return them to the family.

Bob

[brendangcarroll]

Oh....

Assuming he even knows about this....

b.

[stairstars]

Korngold's heirs had the tablet replaced by a statuette in 1977. At that time, they would have signed the 'pledge' to adhere to AMPAS rules on non sales and accept Academy ownership. The tablet being broken may have been the reason. Now, they claim ownership based on Academy membership rules retroactively, and are going after pre 1950 awards, when the pledge came about and the statues were numbered. Previously, pre 1950 awards were considered fair game.

These small tablets were given to the 'lesser' categories (not costumes, which began after they were eliminated) starting in 1937 for Best Supporting, sound and others. They continued to be used for technical awards with different
lettering. In later years, some were redeemed by recipients for full sized statues while others kept the originals.

[brendangcarroll]

I should just point out that Korngold's heirs had nothing whatever to do with the withdrawal of this rare item from auction. It was withdrawn by the consignor who apparently had a change of mind.

[stairstars]

I was not making that claim, as I am unaware of the consignor, but was pointing out the fact that since the award was replaced in 1977, it moves it into the not legal, according to AMPAS rules, category in spite of being a pre 1950 issue. This would affect it's resale prospects, that even if it had sold now, later offerings would be prone to legal hassles. I heard from two prospective buyers, who own several Oscars apiece, that this was a factor in passing on it.

[brendangcarroll]

Oh I see. Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. Of course it does not resolve the big question: what will happen to this rare oscar plaque now if it cannot be legally sold? It really belongs in a museum but I doubt its owner feels so philanthropic.

[stairstars]

Most of us who are caring for these orphans are asking the same question.

Once, I thought I would let them go back to AMPAS, but they have so many now they use them as bookends at the Herrick. Afterall, they are just trophy statues of a naked man. They take on meaning when they are immediately associated with the people and art they helped create. So few venues for that even in the case of classic films.

[brendangcarroll]

Maybe not in the USA but I know of a museum in Vienna that would gladly house and preserve this Korngold plaque.

[FrankFay]

Most of us who are caring for these orphans are asking the same question.

Once, I thought I would let them go back to AMPAS, but they have so many now they use them as bookends at the Herrick. Afterall, they are just trophy statues of a naked man. They take on meaning when they are immediately associated with the people and art they helped create. So few venues for that even in the case of classic films.

Here in Albany NY we've got an Oscar in the local museum- awarded to James Burke for the screenplay of BAD GIRL (1932). It goes out on display occasionally, but gets only a mild amount of interest: a tarnished award to a forgotten writer for a rarely viewed film.