The word "authentic", with regard to castings, is subjective. At one point, the GH vader helmet was considered "authentic". Through the years, our opinions and tastes have changed, mainly due to the slew of new castings that came out. The TD, TM, SL, 20th C, VP, the new Australian helmet and the GS, can all be considered 'authentic" although they are vastly different from each other. I say vastly because to me even a slight change in the curvature or thickness of the eyebrow is huge if I'm comparing faceplates. I don't agree with those who bash tour helmets because, technically speaking, anything out of the Rick Baker mold (like the DJ and SL) is a tour casting. Much like the 20th C, the mold was originally done for touring purposes.
The true authentic vader casting would be that plaster cast that still exists, assuming that is the original plaster cast. Anything other than that is just a derivative of it. I agree with Dave; there is no perfect vader casting. They all represent a timeline of the helmet's history. Some better than others, but all subjective in terms of authenticity. At least that's how I look at it.
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