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THE STAR TREK COMMUNICATOR
The Star Trek Classic Communicator is the most popular item in the prop collectors domain. Prop collectors are different than other Star Trek collectors as they only collect Props.The Non-Licensed Star Trek Classic Communicator
Most early Star Trek communicators were not licensed and appeared at conventions or were sold by dealers in the US via mail order. Then, there are the recasts or copies of replicas made today by individuals in small runs. These again are collected by prop collectors.Over the years conventions provide inaccurate Star Trek Classic Communicators but finally more accurate builds showed up in the mid 1980's by prop professionals using the Sterling Rolltop Pencil Box (case) design. The cost was high on the early communicators, however the "Convention Special built by HMS Creative Productions" lowered the price considerably, they came loose or in a plastic bag.
Please note that these Non Licensed loose Star Trek Classic Communicators are *worthless to most generic Star Trek collectors. (even so Star Trek collectors usually have them around) These appeal mostly to Star Trek prop collectors and Re-enactors. Many pop up on ebay. The last picture below was the most accurate and later used by Roddenberry.com built by HMS Creative Productions. ( based on the Sterling Rolltop Pencil Box (case) design.) It should sell at it's released price $60.00, the price it was at (1980-90s) Star Trek conventions, but the price has doubled. Other, older, less accurate non licensed communicators are sold on ebay for hundreds of dollars. These replicas appeal more to Star Trek prop collectors and are from defunct companies.
* from the Official Guide to Star Trek, Star Wars Collectibles.
The Licensed Star Trek Classic Communicator
roddenberry.com was releasing The Star Trek Classic Communicator in a box with the Star Trek logo and COA. This is built exactly like the communicators used on Star Trek Deep Space Nine's Episode "Trials and Tribbleations". It is the same communicator seen in the last picture above referred to as "The Convention Special" produced by HMS Creative Productions in the late 1980s to 90s with a little tweaking. This has been stopped by CBS. Today you can get the same item in a plain box from Roddenberry.com and a generic COA (no mention of Star Trek). If you see an older version like the image below on eBay, it would be good investment.
Playmates obtained the licensed to produce two models of the Classic Communicator. One was called the "Talk Back".
IPI got the license to produce The Star Trek Classic Communicator which had many features, a watch, calculator and recorder.
Master Replicas with the tooling of Professional Prop Maker John Long produced a high quality, high priced Star Trek Classic Communicator with a signature series signed by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
Star Trek The Experience in Las Vegas (now closed) produced a similar quality Star Trek Classic Communicator for $50.00 from the tooling of Professional Prop Maker John Long. Note: The Antenna Grill is painted but it is solid brass underneath.
Art Asylum makes The Star Trek Classic Communicator from the tooling of Professional Prop Maker John Long. Three models were made. The standard one with painted grill, missing one Spock voice ( but it is still in there, look on the internet to get it working). Entertainment Earth's model has a plated grill with shiny body finish and Spock voice. *There is also the standard one in new packaging and the same packed with a Star Trek phaser. (*These new versions are a different build and Version #. They have some issues with upgrading, so try the older box shown)
The Master Replicas, The Experience in Las Vegas and Art Asylum Star Trek Communicators all have a characteristic "Fat Body" thickness, even though the prototype was not. This was probably due to Non-Concern about using smaller batteries and electronics.
The Most Accurate Licensed Star Trek Classic Communicator
Professional Prop Maker John Long is currently offering The Star Trek Classic Communicator Kit taken directly from the known Zeta original (The most accurate ever). John Long * was given the Delta By Gregory Jein* to examine and measure. (*Two Professional Propmakers who worked on Star Trek)For the most concise information on the Original Screen Used Star Trek Communicators visit:
" herocomm.com "
John Long on ebay = hey_norton!
JOHN LONG
John Long is a Professional Prop Maker that has worked for Disney (Looking around Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Tokyo, Epcot Center and California Adventure you can see a lot of items that John Long made) Worked on several Star Treks, worked on Titanic, and for Mike Okuda to make screen accurate pieces for the Star Trek exhibit in San Diego. John Long is responsible for The Master Replica, Star Trek Experience and Art Asylum Communicator builds. He is also responsible for the Masterpiece Models, Master Replica and Art Asylum Phasers.
GREGORY JEIN
Gregory Jein is a science fiction model-maker and artist who has worked on several models and other artwork seen throughout Star Trek. His greatest achievements are the second USS Enterprise-D built for later seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the recreated USS Enterprise model built for DS9: "Trials and Tribble-ations". Jein received his first Emmy Award nomination for his visual effects work on "Trials and Tribble-ations"
Guide created: 12/10/08 (updated 10/10/09)
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