Remembering the Second Live Auction: Part 1

Act 2: Scene 1

INTERIOR – Battlestar Galactica Hangar Bay

FADE IN – CONTINUOUS SHOT – sweep Blackbird Viper, Raptor, Cylon Raider

Cylon Raider? What the FRAK is a Cylon Raider doing in the hangar bay? I see hangar deck toolboxes, bracing and support for the ship, the iconic red stripe on the floor, curtains dividing the bay from the crew quarters. Hold on, the Galactica does not have CURTAINED walls! Wait a second…

Enter uniformed officers, flight suited pilots, crew in coveralls, red dressed blond Sixes, tuxedo clad auctioneers… ok, I don’t remember Galactica having AUCTIONEERS! What is going on here?

Despite the authentic replica hangar deck, this is not the Galactica; this scene is from the Second Live Battlestar Galactica Auction, May 7 – 10, 2009 at the Pasadena Convention Center. The authentic setup was provided by the Propworx team with assistance from the costumed Colonial Fleet volunteers and some inspired set creation by Becky Casey of NBC/Universal.

Build it and they will come

Preview Day gave us the first glimpse of the recreated hangar bay, complete with support beams and authentic signage. What were these Propworx lunatics thinking, rebuilding the BSG hangar bay? Not only did they build it, but they did it with style. Both press and fans alike marveled in the recreation – helping to set the perfect atmosphere for displaying the prized auction items.

Along with the regular auction, fans could purchase a print of the famous Cylon War painting from Adama’s quarters, Galactica uniform patches custom made for the auction, and of course the spectacular auction catalog – a complete archive of the items and background information from the show. One fanatical fan group even built a BSG replica out of Lego’s and brought it to display at the auction. Words cannot adequately describe the uber-coolness of the Lego ships, so here are some pictures:

The preview featured several panel discussions, starting off with a few of your favorite actors from the show, Grace Park, Michael Trucco, Kate Vernon and Luciana Carro. They shared stories (including the inside scoop on what it was like to work in the resurrection tub full of “goo”), answered questions and gave us an insider’s view of how it was to work on the BSG set – goo included.

“Luciana, it’s not broken – you need to speak into the OTHER end!”

After hearing from the actors, the next Q&A featured members of the production team, and they came full of great stories and background information for the audience. From visual effects to editing, the panel revealed a host of different scenes and situations they encountered while working on BSG. Bear McCreary, composer of the incredible music featured in the series, discussed his inspirations and showed many of the steps he used to develop the iconic score.

Day 1: The Beginning of the End

Day One got off to a great start with production art and sketches, blueprints, and 3-D production models which gave fans a great opportunity to acquire a piece of the BSG universe. The interplay between the live auction participants and the online bidders was fun to watch, facilitated by the outstanding crew from Auction Network.  Anticipation really began to build as costumes went up on the block and Lot #42 – Adama’s Hero Duty Blue Uniform thrilled the fans and bidders alike and brought in over $15,000. Not to be outdone, Starbuck’s flight suit garnered over $19,000. Apollo’s duds were up next, and the crowd seemed to prefer the uniforms to the presidential suits Lee Adama wore after resigning his military role.

The good, the bad, the Baltar was up next, including suits, civilian wear, and religious outfits, all showing his varied careers in the Galactica universe. Bidders loved his religious robe, more suited for the Playboy Mansion than the Cult of Baltar commune. President, teacher, and cougar Laura Roslin’s wardrobe appeared next, and one popular item, Lot #74 Roslin’s Baby Shower Outfit/Lingerie from Daybreak, revealed Laura before Galactica – while she served as Secretary of Education on Caprica. Selling for over $800, one lucky bidder went home with a much more personal item from the public figure that would become President.

Cylon costumes/disguises were next, with Cavil, Simon, Loeben, D’Anna and Doral’s iconic clothing that seemed to define their characters. But none of these costumes could match the power of the red dress – you know the one. Bigger, badder and redder than the rest, and one of only six in existence, this “power” dress sold for over $25,000, topping both the red dress sold in auction #1 and online during the eBay auctions.

Next up, Sharon “Boomer/Athena” Agathon (so many names, so many Sharon’s) had the luxury of having both a Galactica flight suit AND a Cylon flight suit, giving bidders multiple opportunities to win. Like many of the flight suits, Boomer’s sold high – over $15,000 and her dress grays and Cylon suit went for over $6,000 each. Grace Park’s petite frame also provided smaller sized costumes for the petite BSG fan.

Colonel Tigh’s wardrobe was interesting, and proved that “anything goes” – even when it comes to selling a piece of history. Lot #114 Tigh’s Boxers (yes ladies, he wore boxers, not briefs!), brought laughs and jeers from the audience, and were probably the most expensive Fruit of the Looms ever sold at $100! Of course his duty blues and dress grays sold for much more, combining at almost $14,000.

The rest of the Final Five were up on deck, and bidders loved Ellen’s come hither dresses, Tyrol’s Crew Chief coveralls, Tory’s official suits, and Ander’s Buc’s uniform and military uniforms. The rest of the Galactica crew were represented, including Cally, Gaeta, Dualla, Helo, Hoshi, Narcho, Seelix, Racetrack, Skulls, Hotdog, and of course fan favorite, Doc Cottle. Next thePegasus crew got a shot along with vintage uniform from the first Cylon war. Military uniforms continued to reach the thousands of dollars, even uniforms worn by background actors.

The Biggest and the Best

Fans and bidders alike held their breath as the next items went up on the block – the Viper Mark II, Blackbird, and cockpit of the Viper complete with lights. Unfortunately, no bidder reached the reserves on these items, but attendees enjoyed an up close and personal view of this part of the Galactica universe.

The ever popular FTL Key went for $3,000, facilitating the next faster than light jump for a lucky bidder. Raptor ejection seat, a Cylon brain, decoy drones, Arrows of Apollo, Top Gun Steins ($3,000 to Luciana Carro’s charity!), ballot boxes, clipboards, binders, watch logs, manuals, even bathroom appropriate reading materials.  If you saw it on Galactica, Pegasus, Colonial One, Caprica, New Caprica or even Earth, it was on the auction block. A hero version of a Book of Pythia reached $3,000 and the last item of the day, Lot #311 a Complete Set of Battlestar Galactica Alcohol Bottles provided the lucky winner with the perfect set to adorn a perfect bar.

TO BE CONTINUED…