Nicole CamposTucked away in fairly quiet downtown Pasadena on Sunday morning, the final stretch of the coolest yard sale in the galaxy began. Probably because it was Mother's Day — and because the big crowds passed through the “Last of the Best” Battlestar Galactica charity auction at the Pasadena Convention Center earlier in the weekend — May 11 was a unique opportunity to get up close with props and costumes from the best frakkin' television show of the decade (Yes, it is. Don't argue.) and have the run of the place, more or less.
There were, however, still several hopeful bidders laying the smackdown against rival paddle-wielders online, clamoring for everything from Number Six's iconic red dress (which sold for an astounding $23,000) to Starbuck's full scale Viper Mark II (which the kind gang at Propworx, who ran the convention, had set up as a primo photo op… the Dradis console in there works! Wicked.) Numerous staffers dressed as pilots, fleet officers and deck hands assisted in negotiating the bidding wars while keeping a tight watch on all the Galactica ephemera. A very special guest arrived in the form of the irascible Colonel Tigh himself, Michael Hogan; he was friendly and chatty and everything his BSG alter-ego is not, signing autographs and posing with fans in pilots gear.
Scores of swanky furniture from Admiral Adama's quarters.; Credit: Nicole Campos
Tactical table from the Battlestar Pegasus.; Credit: Nicole Campos
Blood samples from Dr. Baltar's lab. Better watch out, he might discover you're a Cylon.; Credit: Nicole Campos
Meanwhile, back on the display floor, it was hard not to gasp at just how many key props made it into this auction. Show's over, of course, so this was more like an estate sale than a housecleaning. A shitload of items from Joe's bar, including that incredible stand-up Pyramid game (talk about excellent prop work) were there. The entire contents of Admiral Adama's quarters (or damn near… and hell, everyone in the show sat on that sectional couch at some point!) was impressive. Even if one didn't have the cubits to take something home, it was a nifty gift to those for whom the show meant so much simply to be able to reach out and touch the Blackbird and the Cylon Raider. So say we all.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.