Resurfaced: The Lost Star Trek Enterprise Model
Discovery and History
Nearly half a century after its disappearance, the original model of the USS Starship Enterprise from the iconic “Star Trek” series has finally made its way back home. The 33-inch model, which graced the opening credits of the original series, has been reunited with Eugene Roddenberry Jr., the son of the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry.
The model’s absence began in 1979 when Roddenberry Sr. lent it to the makers of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” Unfortunately, it was never returned, and its whereabouts remained a mystery for decades.
Last fall, the spaceship unexpectedly resurfaced on eBay, listed as a “Rare Custom Star Trek USS Enterprise Spaceship by Richard Datin.” The seller, who discovered the item in a storage unit, contacted Heritage Auctions after receiving numerous inquiries.
Authentication and Restoration
Experts at Heritage Auctions verified the model’s authenticity, prompting them to contact Eugene Roddenberry Jr. to reunite him with the lost artifact. Roddenberry assembled a team of Star Trek production veterans, including Gary Kerr, to authenticate and restore the model.
Kerr, who had worked on the restoration of an 11-foot Enterprise model for the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, still possessed old photos of the original model on Gene Roddenberry Sr.’s desk. By comparing these photos to the newly discovered model, the team unanimously concluded that it was the genuine article.
Value and Importance
While other models of the Enterprise exist, this one holds a unique significance as the original. Roddenberry Jr. estimates that it could easily fetch over $1 million at auction, but he considers it a “priceless” piece of television history.
The Enterprise has become an iconic symbol of the Star Trek franchise, inspiring countless other fictional spacecraft. Walter Jefferies, the art director who designed the fictional craft, aimed to create something that was both futuristic and groundbreaking.
Future Plans
Roddenberry Jr. intends to ensure that this one-of-a-kind artifact is accessible to the public. He plans to have it restored and displayed in a museum, where it can be appreciated by Star Trek fans and enthusiasts alike.
Additional Details
- The model was built by Richard Datin of the Howard Anderson special-effects company.
- The model is made from solid wood.
- The model was listed on eBay with a starting bid of $1,000.
- The model was discovered in a storage unit.
- The model was used in the opening credits of the original “Star Trek” series.
- The model was authenticated by a team of Star Trek production veterans.
- The model is currently being restored.
- The model will likely be displayed in a museum in the future.