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A limited-edition box set of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) co-founder and visual effects legend Lorne Peterson's Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop autographed by Peterson. Published November 2006 by Insight Editions, Sculpting a Galaxy showcases the designing, crafting, sculpting, and shooting of the groundbreaking models Peterson and other ILM artists created for the first six live-action films in the Star Wars franchise.
This highly coveted box set originates from the collection of Dick Smith, the legendary makeup effects artist whose students Rick Baker and Doug Beswick designed creature makeup for the original trilogy. Along with the influential 216-page hardcover book, the set includes:
The original cardboard shipping box hand-marked "Sculpting a Galaxy - Save this!"
A clamshell box with a rendering of a Millennium Falcon model miniature section applied and Peterson's signature in black ink on the front.
A "Sculpting a Galaxy" book DVD featuring behind-the-scenes documentaries about the franchise as well as photography by Star Wars DVD producer Van Ling.
An accompanying collector's booklet.
A "From Plastics to Pixels" booklet studying ILM's state-of-the-art digital composition work for Star Wars.
Seven hand-painted replicas of the Death Star model miniature surface panels molded by Peterson for the original trilogy.
A hand-painted replica of the "lost" version of Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) landspeeder model miniature with accompanying removable Luke, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Obi-Wan Kenobi figures.
A metallic display stand.
The box and clamshell both show evidence of wear consistent with handling and age, including tearing to the box. Dimensions: (largest) 19.25" x 16" x 5.75" (49 cm x 40.75 cm x 14.75 cm)
Estimate: $400 - 800
View all lots from SCULPTING A GALAXY: INSIDE THE STAR WARS MODEL SHOP (BOOK, 2006)
View all lots from STAR WARS - ALL ITEMS
View all lots from Dick Smith Collection
Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.