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Collecting Trek

A TOS collection 40 years in the making

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Author: CollectingTrek

A Star Trek fan for life. A Star Trek collector for almost as long.
January 21, 2021January 21, 2021CollectingTrek

Star Trek film history: a terrible trailer, Spock on Saavik’s parentage, and preliminary effects shots

Author Howard Weinstein shared three Star Trek films with me. Each is fascinating. One is terrible.

Continue Reading "Star Trek film history: a terrible trailer, Spock on Saavik’s parentage, and preliminary effects shots"
January 5, 2021January 5, 2021CollectingTrek

CollectingTrek at two years old: the posts readers read the most

Here are the five articles that generated the most attention.

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December 3, 2020CollectingTrek

How a high-school story and a DC Fontana letter launched Howard Weinstein’s writing career

The New York Times bestselling author was kind enough to tell me a bunch of his Star Trek stories.

Continue Reading "How a high-school story and a DC Fontana letter launched Howard Weinstein’s writing career"
November 24, 2020November 25, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 10: Visiting the sound stages and discovering the music editor

Music editor Richard Lapham was entirely unknown to me. Sadly, I didn’t learn much about him.

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October 15, 2020October 22, 2020CollectingTrek

There were no resurrections in Obsession

Lieutenant Leslie was killed in the middle of season two — and then pops up in later episodes. Eddie Paskey’s explanation for that is unlikely.

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September 30, 2020CollectingTrek

Hauling garbage: the best trash can in half a quadrant

I love this little Cheinco trash can. It says so much about Star Trek collecting in the ’70s.

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September 23, 2020September 24, 2020CollectingTrek

Playing with dolls: the Mego Enterprise Action Playset

Mego’s bridge playset was a big miss on accuracy but a big hit for playability.

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September 17, 2020September 17, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 9: Polka-dot marshmallows and herding extras with Charlie Washburn

The second assistant director kept the set running on seasons two and three.

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August 28, 2020August 28, 2020CollectingTrek

Relive John Belushi’s final captain’s log

Gene Roddenberry thought the Saturday Night Live parody of Star Trek’s cancellation was “delicious.”

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August 14, 2020August 31, 2020CollectingTrek

Starship class, part two: Gene Roddenberry and Matt Jefferies

I wrote recently that the Enterprise is in fact a Starship-class vessel. Lots of people disagreed. Lots. But then they also disagree with Gene Roddenberry and Matt Jefferies.

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August 13, 2020January 5, 2021CollectingTrek

The Enterprise is not a Constitution-class ship

Knowing the Enterprise’s class was a point of honour for young me, a bit of trivia that set me apart from kids who only liked Star Trek. It’s unfortunate young me had it wrong.

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July 23, 2020October 28, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 8: George Takei on almost everything except Star Trek

Read a wide-ranging interview with Takei and get confirmation that TOS did not employ invisible stagehands.

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June 11, 2020June 11, 2020CollectingTrek

One of everything, please: 1969’s Catalog #3 from Star Trek Enterprises

IDIC pendants, all the scripts, even actual film footage from the set. Gene Roddenberry had collectors in mind even as the show was still in its first run.

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May 21, 2020May 22, 2020CollectingTrek

The last-minute Roddenberry rewrite that elevated Balance of Terror

“Bones — what if I’m wrong?” Kirk asked in a touching scene in Balance of Terror. The original version of that scene was a mundane exchange until Gene Roddenberry fixed it the day before the cameras rolled.

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February 26, 2020CollectingTrek

What did AMT get for building the Galileo? And just how much does a shuttlecraft cost?

If I had a time machine, I would return to August 1966 and pay AMT to make me a Galileo. And I wouldn’t need to bring much cash.

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February 17, 2020February 19, 2020CollectingTrek

Before VCRs, we had the Fotonovels. And they were glorious

In the before-time when home video was unknown, we had Fotonovels. Those great photos meant we could examine the bridge, the transporter effect and the tricorder’s control panel. Fotonovel 1 retells the most famous episode, and includes Harlan Ellison informing readers his script was better.

Continue Reading "Before VCRs, we had the Fotonovels. And they were glorious"
November 19, 2019CollectingTrek

Pain on screen and in real life: Diamond Select’s Devil in the Dark diorama

The diorama is detailed, accurate and you can pick one up fairly cheaply, and it represents both William Shatner’s professionalism and a sad time in his life.

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October 31, 2019June 4, 2020CollectingTrek

Star Trek as Canadian content

Although thoroughly American in origin, the diversity and peaceful collaboration the show espoused is very Canadian in tone.

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October 24, 2019March 4, 2020CollectingTrek

Boarding the Enterprise, a review: challenging and fascinating insights into the original series

Star Trek’s take on the Vietnam War. Kirk/Spock slash fic. Is the transporter a death machine? Why no seatbelts? You should read this book, but first read my post about it.

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October 11, 2019July 21, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 7: Bill Theiss’ favourite costume designs, plus some fashion advice

Theiss knew Andrea’s costume pushed censorship boundaries and he “was prepared for and eagerly anticipated the storm.” Read more about his favourite creations.

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September 19, 2019March 1, 2020CollectingTrek

A defence of The Way to Eden: it’s better, and much darker, than you remember

The episode is widely disliked, so you probably haven’t seen it in a while. I encourage you to watch it again. It’s not hippies and bouncy songs. It’s a mass murderer and his enthralled gang.

Continue Reading "A defence of The Way to Eden: it’s better, and much darker, than you remember"
September 12, 2019September 13, 2019CollectingTrek

Waiting on Walter. My lunchbox needs him

Walter Koenig, I need you. Please come back to Toronto. Also, did you know Canadians got to see Star Trek before the Americans?

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August 22, 2019July 21, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 6: bubble-wrap Klingons and warm Gorns

Ruth Berman takes us into Leonard Nimoy’s office, costumer Bill Theiss reveals the placemat origins of the Elasian costumes, and there’s a strange bit about a warm Gorn.

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August 1, 2019December 1, 2020CollectingTrek

Harlan Ellison put a drug dealer on the Enterprise. That was not the biggest script problem

Gene Roddenberry was right: Ellison’s version of The City on the Edge of Forever was not suitable for Star Trek, but the story is inventive and compelling and IDW’s graphic novel brings it to life with beautiful illustrations.

Continue Reading "Harlan Ellison put a drug dealer on the Enterprise. That was not the biggest script problem"
July 18, 2019July 21, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek 5: James Doohan said “warp drive” way back in 1953, following a change in career plans

James Doohan planned to be a dentist, but a radio play led him to acting, a forgotten Canadian sci-fi show and then to Star Trek.

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July 4, 2019October 16, 2020CollectingTrek

The Ebony magazine that got me two minutes with Nichelle Nichols

Nichelle Nichols owns a copy of her Ebony magazine-cover issue, but it’s in poor condition. I tried to give her mine.

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June 19, 2019June 20, 2019CollectingTrek

I am unqualified for the 1988 Toronto Trek official trivia quiz

I am a Star Trek fan. I mean, look at this web site. And yet I only scored 9/10 in the qualifying round. Read the post and tell me how you do.

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June 12, 2019June 18, 2019CollectingTrek

The Concordance Color Book — and three fantastic surprise autographs

I bought this book years ago. I had never opened it. When I did, I discovered three major Star Trek autographs.

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May 31, 2019July 21, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek issue 4: Klingon side-projects with Matt Jefferies and coloured food cubes with Irving Feinberg

What helps you deal with rainbow food chunks? Real alcohol in the blue drinks. Go behind the scenes with two Star Trek production stars.

Continue Reading "Inside Star Trek issue 4: Klingon side-projects with Matt Jefferies and coloured food cubes with Irving Feinberg"
May 22, 2019July 21, 2020CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek issue 3: DeForest Kelley on McCoy’s secret pain and the stress of television production

DeForest Kelley and DC Fontana had a great character idea for Dr. McCoy. Instead, we somehow got Chekov’s girlfriend from The Way to Eden.

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May 16, 2019May 17, 2019CollectingTrek

Thank you, Doug Drexler, for trying to save the Gold Key comics

Before Doug Drexler’s huge contributions to four Star Trek series and five movies, he did his best to save the Gold Key comics.

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May 2, 2019May 3, 2019CollectingTrek

The Horror at 37,000 Feet is all you need to know about early ’70s Shatner

This is a so-bad-it’s-good must-watch movie, and it tells you a lot about William Shatner’s post-Trek career.

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April 25, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

33 stickers that take you back to Star Trek collecting in the ’70s

You have likely never seen this licensed Star Trek kids’ booklet. It was made in Canada and the only one I have ever seen in person is the one I own. But you can download a copy right here.

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April 18, 2019May 21, 2019CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek issue 2: two days to make Spock’s ears, 90 minutes to get Nimoy into them

It took two days to make Spock’s ears and 90 minutes to get Nimoy all the way into them. Issue 2 of Inside Star Trek featured makeup man Fred Phillips and art by modeler Greg Jein.

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April 11, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

Kirk and Spock were meant to bust out of your wall. I got my poster signed instead

This is the best Star Trek poster I have ever seen. It’s big, it’s quirky, it’s a good likeness and you were supposed to cut them up, so that’s cool. Mine is also signed by Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.

Continue Reading "Kirk and Spock were meant to bust out of your wall. I got my poster signed instead"
April 3, 2019May 21, 2019CollectingTrek

Inside Star Trek issue 1: selling IDIC and dumpster diving for set pieces

The Inside Star Trek newsletter is an invaluable source for Star Trek’s early voices. Issue 1 detailed William Shatner’s busy schedule, told us about searching through studio garbage and shared a made-up story about the Vulcan IDIC medallion.

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March 28, 2019February 21, 2020CollectingTrek

A View-Master surprise, with Star Trek’s worst episode

The Omega Glory is the worst episode of the original series, but the View-Master version is magical. Step back to the 3D world of your childhood.

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March 19, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

You don’t need to read Mission to Horatius

Mission to Horatius is the first original Star Trek novel published. The dialogue is terrible, the plot is ridiculous, Kirk commits genocide, and a dancing rat is an important character. So don’t read the book, but do read my fun teardown of it.

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March 9, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

William Shatner was always nice to me

I have 13 William Shatner autographs. Eight of those I got in person. Three of those are extra special. This is the story of those three.

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February 26, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

Download Star Trek’s most important document

Gene Roddenberry’s 1964 pitch for his new show is arguably the most important Star Trek document ever. The pitch, usually referred to as Star Trek is…, was designed to sell the show to network executives and it’s an interesting look at Roddenberry’s earliest creative ideas.

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February 18, 2019April 29, 2019CollectingTrek

A fun fake: Flight Deck Officer certificate

Do you have a Gene Roddenberry autograph in your collection? If it’s on a Flight Deck Officer certificate then…probably no. But it’s a fun item anyway.

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February 13, 2019March 4, 2020CollectingTrek

Rodan, John Wayne and what George Takei got wrong

George Takei was thrilled when John Wayne cast him in The Green Berets, but that robbed Takei of the chance to pick up a Tribble with Uhura on K-7.
Except that story is not quite true.

Continue Reading "Rodan, John Wayne and what George Takei got wrong"
February 3, 2019April 2, 2019CollectingTrek

Leonard Nimoy sued Paramount — and won

Henry Fonda kicked off a dispute over a beer ad that almost kept Spock from appearing in The Motion Picture.

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January 24, 2019June 16, 2020CollectingTrek

Leonard Nimoy to Trek fans: Don’t smoke. Live long and prosper

Leonard Nimoy used his celebrity to encourage others to quit smoking. He signed this American Cancer Society poster for me in 2006. And then, weirdly, Shatner signed it too.

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January 18, 2019April 2, 2019CollectingTrek

Franklin Mint’s 25th anniversary Enterprise

The Franklin Mint 25th anniversary Enterprise is one of the most beautiful models ever produced, and I took a bunch of really nice photos of it.

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January 18, 2019April 2, 2019CollectingTrek

Fire torpedoes at your friends: two starships from Dinky Toys

I love the Enterprise. Its design is both beautiful and functional, and importantly it looks great on camera from any angle. I own a number of exquisitely detailed and highly accurate Enterprise models. This is not one of those, but I like it a lot anyway.

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January 15, 2019February 26, 2020CollectingTrek

The Roddenberry memo that helped launch The Making of Star Trek

The Making of Star Trek is one of the most important books in TOS fandom, and Gene Roddenberry was an early advocate of the project.

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January 7, 2019May 6, 2019CollectingTrek

No Chapel, no T’Pau. The original Amok Time story outline

I own the Amok Time story outline Ted Sturgeon submitted to Gene Roddenberry. It’s a fascinating look at the process of creating an episode and at the Trek that could have been.

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January 4, 2019June 7, 2019CollectingTrek

Bobby Clark signed a Gorn mask

Two guys pulled on the Gorn wetsuit costumes on the set of Arena in November 1966. I was fortunate to spend 20 minutes chatting with Bobby Clark, the better known of the two. Clark asked why Star Trek and the Gorn mattered to me.

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January 3, 2019March 9, 2020CollectingTrek

Welcome to my Star Trek room

I have a Star Trek room in my home. We call it my office and I do a lot of my work there, but let’s be honest: it’s the room where my TOS collection lives. And I thought other people might like to see some of the memorabilia I’ve collected over the last 40 years. […]

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Amok Time Arena Autograph Bjo Trimble Bob Justman Chekov David Gerrold DC Fontana Elaan of Troyius Enterprise Fan Expo Gene Coon Gene Roddenberry George Takei Gorn Harlan Ellison Herb Solow Inside Star Trek Inside Star Trek newsletter John Trimble Kirk Klingon Leonard Nimoy Lincoln Enterprises Matt Jefferies Nichelle Nichols Ruth Berman Spock Star Trek Susan Sackett The Cage The Corbomite Maneuver The Devil in the Dark The Motion Picture The Trouble with Tribbles Toronto Trek Walter Koenig Where No Man Has Gone Before Who Mourns for Adonais? William Shatner

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  • Star Trek film history: a terrible trailer, Spock on Saavik’s parentage, and preliminary effects shots
  • CollectingTrek at two years old: the posts readers read the most
  • How a high-school story and a DC Fontana letter launched Howard Weinstein’s writing career
  • Inside Star Trek 10: Visiting the sound stages and discovering the music editor
  • There were no resurrections in Obsession

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