The original Star Trek model of the starship Enterprise may have been discovered after having gone missing decades before – thanks to the wonder of the internet. What a time to be alive!
The model in question surfaced on eBay last week with a starting bid of $1,000, but was removed only hours later after the internet blew up with enthusiasts and armchair detectives working out what the model could actually be.
It seems there’s a certain amount of credence to the story, which has now caught the attention of Gene Roddenberry‘s son, Rod Roddenberry.
Star Trek fans belonging to the private Facebook group ‘Star Trek Prop Makers & Collectors’ have also made contact with the seller to suggest it should be returned to Gene Roddenberry’s estate.
Last Thursday evening, Rod Roddenberry – steward of the Roddenberry estate – posted on Facebook asking to get in touch with the seller to see if they might be agreeable to returning the model. That post is now gone, but there’s an almost identical one on X, which reads:
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!
Ars also reached out to the eBay seller who had listed the model, but they weren’t giving anything away, including how they got their hands on the priceless model in the first place. They’re quoted as saying: “All I can say is that it’s out of my hands and with a proper team.”
Hmmm. Armchair detectives were right on it, however, and by doing a bit of a background search on the seller, it seems they specialise in selling items and artefacts discovered in abandoned storage lockers (for any number of reasons) which may paint a realistic picture of how the model was found.
There were several photos included in the listing, and it seems to be aged and with water damage and other minor imperfections. It appears to be the right size, at close to three feet long, and with the business card of Richard C. Datin, Jr. attached to the stand with tape.
This ship is a custom made spaceship by Richard Datin jr
Made by wood and hand painted
It’s a 1 in 1 very rare and very old
It will have its ageing like wooden cracks and sticker pealing off
Very nice for a collection
So, is it authentic? So far, all the evidence points to this being the original model, but I suppose time will tell! Many people will be following this story with interest, so I’m sure we’ll hear one way or the other.
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