http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... FP:GB:1123

Just wondering whether anyone saw or had any views on this? I have read good things about the faceplate on the lifesize they did for Rubies (though not about the rest of the suit, and I have read about connections with the GH ROTJ.

This looked... interesting, though probably not interesting enough to investigate much further. But what do you think?

Looks like a Fyberdyne cast. A cousin to the helmet that spawned the GH helmets, if I remember correctly.

Not so interesting then! What's the distinguishing feature?

The dimple on the forehead is a dead giveaway. But there are plenty others that make this pretty easy to identify.

Actually... these were some of the first helmets floating around... so are interesting from a historical and collecting standpoint. It's a piece of history.

Fair point.

On a related note, I suppose we are entering a period where a whole host of castings from the 90s and early 00s of both good and dubious lineage will be naturally aging and acquiring a patina of authenticity if that makes sense.

What I mean is that it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish between items which are 20 years old now vs items that are 35 years old now as time moves on. Imagine trying to date items in thirty years time when you are looking at 65 vs 50 year old castings... and there will lots of respectable looking old SPFX's and JBs etc in people's attics... (ok I know its not only age we'd go on when IDing helmets but it could definitely muddy the waters).

Yes as Carsten said historically it is interesting but not really worth the price. Maybe worth $500. There is just too much done to this helmet that has taken it away from an authentic ANH to make it worth getting.

Aww man, didn't even bother check the price. That's too insane... just not worth that, in my opinion, though I'm biased as I never did much like that line of helmets, so any price would be too high for me. But definitely set way too high.

That's an excellent point. The exact thing is happening in the WWII collecting market right now. In the mid-late 80's a bunch of "high-end" fakes began to trickle onto the market and there are some fakes that are even older. Now, like you point out, they have a genuine patina of age so you really have to know what you are looking at!


$1300 for a Fyberdyne?? Ouch!

I think given the right experience with castings that many of us would even in 20 or 30 years time still be able to tell the origin of Vader helmets. So keep in mind it will be our responsibility to remember what is what in order to help protect the interests of future Vader enthusiasts.

Trouble is that as a new comer it's difficult to get to a point where you are familiar with these helmets. The best way would be to study one in hand but the offerings out there now seem much better than they have been in the past - so I for one am unlikely to ever see one in person because I'd spend my money elsewhere.

Hmmm... maybe we need a Helmet Identification Guide.....

I think that's an excellent idea!

Sooo Mac... can we expect that from you, say, next week? Get on it!





Doug