Missing for 50 years, the original Star Trek Enterprise model may have appeared on eBay

[midian182]

Why it matters: Few things in pop culture hold the same level of reverence as the USS Enterprise NCC-1701, so it's no wonder Star Trek fans are excited at the prospect that the original three-foot model of the starship from the show, lost for five decades, could have appeared on eBay.

The Enterprise NCC-1701 model was made by prop-maker Richard Datin Jr, with Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry directing, during the preproduction phase of the original Star Trek series, writes Ars Technica.

It was used in the famous opening credits sequence and all but one scene in the pilot episode – the 11-foot version of the ship based on the smaller model wasn't ready in time. Datin's creation appeared in other shots during later episodes, including one where it played itself: an actual model of the Enterprise sat on a table.

The original ship ended up on Roddenberry's desk. At some point in the 1970s he is believed to have loaned it to the people working on the production of Star Trek: The Motion Picture but never saw it returned, despite writing to the production house asking for the model back.

WILD pic.twitter.com/Wx9OLLA4b5

– Doctor's TARDIS (@Doctors__TARDIS) November 1, 2023

It was presumed that the model had been lost for good, but an eBay listing last week suggested otherwise. The listing, which had a $1,000 starting price, was removed within a few hours after enthusiasts said in the private Facebook group "Star Trek Prop Makers & Collectors" that they believed it was real and had contacted the seller suggesting they return it to the Roddenberry estate.

Roddenberry's son, Rod, wrote a message on social media asking if anyone could put him in touch with the seller.

Super excited someone discovered this treasure! It would mean a lot to talk with whomever is selling/in possession of the 3' Enterprise. Appreciate anyone who can put me in touch, and connect us! Engage!
~ Rod#StarTrek #enterprise #roddenberry pic.twitter.com/d1QPtlszij

– Rod Roddenberry (@RodRoddenberry) November 3, 2023

The listing included several images of the model, including one with a tape measure showing its 3-foot length. There was also a photo with Datin's business card taped to the stand.

While the eBay seller refused to say how they acquired the model, it's believed that they specialize in selling items found in storage lockers that have been abandoned when a person stops paying rent due to one reason or another – Storage Wars, basically.

When asked how they got their hands on the model, the seller said the matter was now "out of my hands and with a proper team."

Thanks, Ars Technica

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https://www.techspot.com/news/100773-missing-50-years-original-star-trek-enterprise-model.html

 

[lripplinger]

I hope that thing is safe and sound, now that it is in the public spotlight. It needs to be preserved immediately. The fact that it survived in a storage unit all this time....

 

[Homerlovesbeer]

Or it's a fake that someone has created from photos and film and they saw an opportunity to make some serious coin but pulled the plug when they realised that they were possibly involved in something they didn't bargain for.... stolen property.

 

[arrowflash]

"Look, my expert said it's legitimate and the original model, but it's not in pristine condition, it needs some small repairs, a new paint, and it's a very nice item but it's going to take too much space in the store... how about 10 thousand dollars? It's the best I can do."