40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection

40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection was the official title of an auction facilitated by Christie's, New York. Held from 5–, a vast number of items ranging from minor background props to detailed models of the various USS Enterprise starships, all taken from 40 years of Star Trek production, were auctioned as "Sale 1778".

The auction was streamed live over the internet by history.com, while The History Channel filmed it for its documentary Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier, which debuted.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star Avery Brooks visited the auction while filming an interview nearby.

Genesis
The auction resulted from the wish of the studio to clear out their backlot warehouses of all Star Trek production material, thereby indicating that the studio was done with the franchise, at least as far as the prime universe events were concerned. CBS Studios staffer Liz Miller sought out Mike and Denise Okuda, long standing members of Star Trek's production staff, to spearhead the auction project. "They had actually been planning an auction for some time. They knew about the importance of this stuff and were looking for people who would treat it seriously and with the proper respect. [Mike and Denise had]...five warehouses of things to go through and we were told that whatever Christie’s didn’t auction would be destroyed. We were horrified and so it became a mission to get as much of the good stuff into the hands of fans as possible because we knew they would take good care of it.", the Okudas recalled on their involvement. (The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction-catalog, p. 26)

Catalogue
Available for this sale was a two-volume catalogue containing detailed photographs of the individual items as well as notes and behind-the-scenes comments, prepared by the Okudas

Versions
There were two editions of the catalogue available:
 * A set which includes only the two volumes in paperback, sold for US$90 before the auction and US$60 after.
 * A "Special Limited Edition Boxed Set" in which the volumes are hardcover and inside a slipcase. This edition also includes a ten-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Michael and Denise Okuda, Robert Blackman, Michael Westmore, and Rod Roddenberry. It is sold for US$500.

Errors
With 1000 lots, there were bound to be a couple mistakes. Here are some of the most obvious:
 * Lot 581, titled "BEVERLY'S MERRY MAN COSTUME", was incorrectly identified as the costume Gates McFadden wore as one of the Merry Men in . It was actually the silk dress she wore in a dinner scene with Jean-Luc Picard at the end of . The catalogue picture even included one of the Merry Man hats.
 * Lot 589, originally titled "TROI'S GODDESS OF EMPATHY DRESS", was incorrectly identified as the dress worn by Marina Sirtis as the "Goddess of Empathy" in the Barclay-created holo-fantasy of . It was actually worn in . The on-line catalogue was later corrected, and the lot was retitled "DEANNA TROI'S LAVENDER DRESS".

International tour
For several months before the auction, an exhibit made up of items from the collection traveled the US and Europe.
 * 19 May - 21 May: Fulda, Germany at FedCon
 * 20 July - 23 July: San Diego, CA, USA at Comic-Con
 * 3 August - 8 August: London, UK at Christie's South Kensington
 * 17 August - 20 August: Las Vegas, NV, USA at The 5th Annual Official Star Trek Convention
 * 19 August - 24 August: Uncasville, CT, USA at Mohegan Sun Hotel
 * 8 September - 10 September: Seatttle, WA, USA at The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
 * 12 September - 16 September: Los Angeles, CA, USA at Christie's Los Angeles
 * 29 September - 4 October: New York, NY, USA at Christie's

Auction Results

 * The auction was estimated to bring in between US$1,215,600 and US$1,818,350. The total sale was US$7,107,040 including the buyer's premium and rounded to the nearest dollar.
 * The buyer's premium was 20% of the hammer price on each lot up to and including $200,000 plus 12% of any amount in excess of $200,000. The total premium amount was US$1,157,840.
 * The average lot estimate was US$1,517; the average high bid was US$5,955; the average lot price was US$7,114.
 * 1,000 lots were offered; 999 lots were sold; one lot (Lot 521) was not sold (the offer was withdrawn and there was no bidding).
 * 35 of the lots (3.50%) sold below the lowest estimate.
 * 60 of the lots (6.01%) sold between the low and high estimates.
 * 904 of the lots (90.49%) sold above the highest estimate.
 * 372 of the lots (37.24%) sold at between two and five times the highest estimate.
 * 207 of the lots (20.72%) sold at between five and ten times the highest estimate.
 * 125 of the lots (12.51%) sold at more than ten times the highest estimate.
 * On the date of the sale, exchange rates were approximately as follows: US$1 = £0.53, SFr 1.25, ¥117.56, €0.79

Highest priced lots
Ranked by gavel price, in ascending order. Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000; Highest bid: $500,000; Price: $576,000 Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $260,000; Price: $307,200 Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000; Highest bid: $240,000; Price: $284,800 Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $120,000; Price: $144,000 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000 Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000 Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000 Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000; Highest bid: $110,000; Price: $132,000 Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $85,000; Price: $102,000 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $85,000; Price: $102,000
 * 1) Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D →
 * 1) Lot 983: KLINGON BIRD-OF-PREY →
 * 1) Lot 1000: ENTERPRISE-A MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY →
 * 1) Lot 978: DR. MCCOY'S SPACE SUIT FROM "THE THOLIAN WEB" →
 * 1) Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL →
 * 1) Lot 493: DEEP SPACE NINE MODEL →
 * 1) Lot 357: STARSHIP VOYAGER MINIATURE MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY →
 * 1) Lot 107: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-E MODEL →
 * 1) Lot 497: STARSHIP DEFIANT MODEL →
 * 1) Lot 996: KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY →

Lowest priced lots
Ranked by gavel price, in descending order. Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $400; Price: $480 Estimate: $400 - $600; Highest bid: $400; Price: $480 Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $450; Price: $540 Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $500; Price: $600 Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $500; Price: $600 Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $550; Price: $660 Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720 Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720 Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720
 * 1) Lot 18: ENTERPRISE-E TABLE 
 * 1) Lot 310: TALAXIAN HEAD APPLIANCE 
 * 1) Lot 932: PHASE II HOSPITAL SMOCK PROTOTYPE 
 * 1) Lot 935: PHASE II HOSPITAL SMOCK PROTOTYPE 
 * 1) Lot 19: ENTERPRISE-E CREDENZA TABLE 
 * 1) Lot 261: STARSHIP DEFIANT INSIGNIA BADGES 
 * 1) Lot 260: STARFLEET SECURITY DIVISION EMBROIDERED PATCHES 
 * 1) Lot 266: STAR TREK: VOYAGER CALL SHEETS 
 * 1) Lot 168: ARCHER'S CHILDHOOD ASTRONOMY BOOK 
 * 1) Lot 931: UNASSEMBLED THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S COMMAND MINIDRESS 

Most underestimated lots
Ranked by gavel price divided by high estimate, in descending order. Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500; Highest bid: $80,000; Price: $96,000 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $6,000; Price: $7,200 Estimate: $300 - $500; Highest bid: $20,000; Price: $24,000 Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $40,000; Price: $48,000 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,800; Price: $5,760 Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $9,500; Price: $11,400 Estimate: $100 - $150; Highest bid: $4,500; Price: $5,400 Estimate: $200 - $300; Highest bid: $7,500; Price: $9,000
 * 1) Lot 105: BORG CUBE MODEL 
 * 1) Lot 174: VULCAN KIR'SHARA ARTIFACT 
 * 1) Lot 778: KLINGON JUDGE'S GAVEL 
 * 1) Lot 537: PICARD'S RESSIKAN FLUTE →
 * 1) Lot 119: PYRAMID-SHAPED NATURAL WOOD DRESSER 
 * 1) Lot 172: SURAK'S KATRIC ARK 
 * 1) Lot 775: U.S.S. ENTERPRISE BLANKETS 
 * 1) Lot 753: ENTERPRISE-A SHIP'S WHEEL 
 * 1) Lot 393: BAJORAN ORB ARK 
 * 1) Lot 382: INFIRMARY SIGNS 

Most overestimated lots
Ranked by gavel price divided by low estimate, in ascending order. Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,100; Price: $1,320 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,400; Price: $1,680 Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,600; Price: $1,920 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,600; Price: $1,920 Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000; Highest bid: $2,800; Price: $3,360 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $1,700; Price: $2,040
 * 1) Lot 971: THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S UNIFORM DRESS 
 * 1) Lot 886: SULU'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 
 * 1) Lot 659: BEVERLY CRUSHER'S FUTURE STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 
 * 1) Lot 863: SCOTTY'S CLASS-A STARFLEET UNIFORM 
 * 1) Lot 950: UHURA'S PHASE II UNIFORM DRESS 
 * 1) Lot 957: MEN'S PILOT STARFLEET UNIFORM SHIRT 
 * 1) Lot 883: SULU'S CLASS-B UNIFORM SHIRT 
 * 1) Lot 884: SULU'S CLASS-C JACKET AND PANTS 
 * 1) Lot 855: CAPTAIN KIRK'S CIVILIAN SUIT 
 * 1) Lot 887: SULU'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 

Most accurately estimated lots
''Ranked by absolute distance of gaval price from the median estimate, in ascending order. Ties are ranked by lot number.'' Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200 Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000; Highest bid: $5,000; Price: $6,000 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800 Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400 Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720 Estimate: $600 - $800; Highest bid: $700; Price: $840 Estimate: $800 - $1,200; Highest bid: $1,000; Price: $1,200 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $4,000; Price: $4,800 Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400 Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400 Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $2,000; Price: $2,400 Estimate: $500 - $700; Highest bid: $600; Price: $720 Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000; Highest bid: $7,000; Price: $8,400 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,600; Price: $3,120 Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500; Highest bid: $1,900; Price: $2,280 Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000; Highest bid: $3,800; Price: $4,560 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880 Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000; Highest bid: $2,400; Price: $2,880
 * 1) Lot 116: ENTERPRISE DINING ROOM CHAIRS 
 * 1) Lot 219: ENTERPRISE BRIDGE COLLECTION 
 * 1) Lot 229: CAPTAIN ARCHER COLLECTION 
 * 1) Lot 254: U.S.S. DEFIANT STARFLEET UNIFORMS 
 * 1) Lot 260: STARFLEET SECURITY DIVISION EMBROIDERED PATCHES 
 * 1) Lot 309: KLINGON FOREHEADS 
 * 1) Lot 648: SAREK'S JACKET AND PANTS 
 * 1) Lot 670: GEORDI LA FORGE'S THIRD SEASON-STYLE STARFLEET UNIFORM 
 * 1) Lot 707: ENTERPRISE-D ENLARGED WARP NACELLE MODEL 
 * 1) Lot 828: ILIA'S CLASS-B UNIFORM SHIRT 
 * 1) Lot 841: PERSIS KHAMBATTA'S CLASS-A UNIFORM SHIRT 
 * 1) Lot 867: UHURA'S STARFLEET UNIFORM 
 * 1) Lot 931: UNASSEMBLED THE ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE WOMAN'S COMMAND MINIDRESS 
 * 1) Lot 982: TWO SCIENTIST'S UNIFORMS FROM "WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?" 
 * 1) Lot 82: DATA'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 
 * 1) Lot 84: GEORDI'S STARFLEET UNIFORM JUMPSUIT 
 * 1) Lot 479: DAX'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 
 * 1) Lot 490: MIRADORN SHIP MODEL 
 * 1) Lot 663: DEANNA TROI'S STARFLEET DRESS UNIFORM 
 * 1) Lot 665: DEANNA TROI'S STARFLEET JUMPSUIT 

Noteworthy items
The sale prices for the following lots are the hammer prices and do not include the buyer's premium (see above).

Lot 107: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-E MODEL

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E), sold on October 5, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 357: STARSHIP VOYAGER MINIATURE MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Voyager (NCC-74656), sold on October 6, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 493: DEEP SPACE NINE MODEL

 * The principal visual effects model of space station Deep Space 9, sold on October 6, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 497: STARSHIP DEFIANT MODEL

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Defiant (2370), sold on October 6, 2006 for $85,000.

Lot 535: DATA'S HOLOGRAM OF TASHA YAR

 * A 3x5 inch (7.62x12.5 cm) clear acrylic container with a grey-painted plastic base. Used as a holographic projector that produced a hologram of Natasha Yar. Seen in and . Sold for $3,800.

Lot 537: PICARD'S RESSIKAN FLUTE

 * Featured in and later in the episodes  and, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard's Ressikan flute. This lot was originally estimated at only $300, but after being featured in  as an example of one of the surprisingly low-priced items in the auction the estimate was later increased to $800 - $1,200. The importance of this item to fans finally proved to be grossly underestimated, as the prop sold on October 6, 2006 for a staggering $40,000. In Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier, Patrick Stewart commented with laughter, "It doesn't play; it's not a real flute."

Lot 553: SARTAARAN HEAD AND CHEST

 * This lot offers a clear view of an alien species (identified as Satarran in the script) that was introduced in . A member of this species, disguised as Starfleet commander Keiran MacDuff, tried to commandeer the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) to fight in a war between his species and the Lysians. Sold on October 6, 2006 for $1,100.

Lot 694: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-C

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C) as featured in, extensively refurbished and rebuilt to serve as a variety of other ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation and currently labeled as the USS Yamaguchi (NCC-26510). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $40,000.

Lot 712: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE-D

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), sold on October 7, 2006 for $500,000, by far the highest hammer price for any item in the auction. The item is now on display at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle.

Lot 770: ORIGINAL SERIES-STYLE BRIDGE SET

 * A replica of approximately half of the bridge of the original starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), made for the bridge set of the USS Defiant (NCC-1764) featured in, sold on October 7, 2006 for $38,000. (Just before the hammer was struck, one member of the audience at the auction called out that the selling price was too low, to which the auctioneer responded "Then bid!". No further bids were made, however, and the lot sold for $38,000).

Lot 978: DR. MCCOY'S SPACE SUIT FROM "THE THOLIAN WEB"

 * The environmental suit worn by DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard McCoy in, sold on October 7, 2006 for $120,000.

Lot 980: T'PAU'S COSTUME FROM "AMOK TIME"

 * T'Pau's outfit from, sold on October 7, 2006 for $45,000.

Lot 983: KLINGON BIRD-OF-PREY

 * Filming miniature of a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, designed for and subsequently used in later movies and episodes, sold on October 7, 2006 for $260,000.

Lot 985: USS RELIANT MODEL

 * Filming miniature of the USS Reliant (NCC-1864), made and used as the USS Reliant in, saucer currently labeled USS Saratoga (NCC-31911), roll bar labeled USS Brattain (NCC-21166). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $50,000.

Lot 988: REGULA ONE SPACE STATION MODEL

 * Filming miniature originally used as the orbital office complex in, later modified to serve as the Regula I research station in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, then further refurbished as Starbase 375 in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $42,000.

Lot 989: SPACEDOCK MODEL

 * Filming miniature originally used as Earth Spacedock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock through, later reused to represent Starbase 74 in , Starbase 133 in , Lya Station Alpha in , and Starbase 84 in . Sold on October 7, 2006 for $65,000.

Lot 993: DAMAGED ENTERPRISE MODEL

 * Filming miniature of a highly damaged refit starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), used for the self-destruct and entry of the Enterprise into the atmosphere of the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, sold on October 7, 2006 for $40,000.

Lot 996: KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

 * Filming miniature of a Klingon battle cruiser made for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and later modified for use in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, sold on October 7, 2006 for $85,000.

Lot 998: USS LAKOTA MODEL

 * Filming miniature of an starship, originally used as the USS Excelsior in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock through Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and later relabeled and reused as a number of different ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation, subsequently modified to represent the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) in, currently labeled as the USS Lakota (NCC-42768). Sold on October 7, 2006 for $110,000.

Lot 999: SMALL STARSHIP ENTERPRISE MINIATURE MODEL

 * Smaller filming miniature of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A), made from a modified plastic hobby kit and sporting painted battle damage scars from combat scenes, used for visual effects work in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $42,000.

Lot 1000: ENTERPRISE-A MODEL AND POWER SUPPLY

 * The principal visual effects model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A), originally made as the refit USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) for the first three Star Trek films and then modified for use as the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) in through Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sold on October 7, 2006 for $240,000.

Lawsuit
On, The Associated Press reported that Ted Moustakis of New Jersey - who spent $12,000 at the auction for a uniform and poker visor supposedly worn by Brent Spiner while filming TNG - is now suing Christie's and CBS Paramount for $7 million for allegedly selling him fraudulent items. Moustakis' claims were apparently backed up by Spiner himself at an Star Trek convention where the actor identified the visor as being a fake. Moustakis reportedly believes the other items purchased at the auction were also misrepresented by Christies. While Paramount had no comment on the matter, Christies responded by saying "the case has no merit." The case was eventually thrown out by a New York court of appeals. 

Trivia

 * In a comedy bit on , O'Brien sent the show's "Spock" character to the auction with $1,500, expecting that he would be able to purchase something. Even though many items were estimated at only a few hundred dollars, every item he bid on quickly went above that amount and he was unable to win any lots. Later, O'Brien went to the auction and gave him an extra $5,000, but unfortunately even this wasn't enough, and Spock instead chose to go down the street and spend the money on strippers. The bit was filmed while the auction was in progress. "Spock", who was played by Late Night writer Michael Gordon, was really bidding (and being outbid) on items in the auction.