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Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 2:09 pm
by Kingpin
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A listing has popped up on the prop auction site Hake's featuring the radio-controlled Hero Ghost Trap prop from Ghostbusters II (most memorably seen during the court room and ghost jogger scenes), and the listing is a treasure trove of information.

For the starting bid of $20,000, the lucky winner will get to take home:

•Ghost Trap prop, complete with opening doors and internal electronics
•Ghost Trap foot pedal prop
•FP-series Futaba radio-control unit
•1991 auction letter from Camden House Auctioneers, Inc.
•1991 letter from Michael C. Gross

The auction is set to end on the 15th of November. For additional details about the prop, including photos, check out the topic.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 2:12 pm
by Kingpin
Auction description:
6x8x14" metal free-wheeling Ghost Trap prop used in both 1984's "Ghostbusters" and its 1989 sequel "Ghostbusters II" comes complete w/electrical wiring and connections, hydraulic foot pedal and remote control box that allows opening and closing of the trap's doors (comes w/display cable). The idea of the Ghost Trap was originated by Dan Aykroyd and is one of four manufactured by Academy Award-nominated special effects artist Chuck Gaspar (1938-2009), who worked on 70 different films and TV shows, such as "The Birds, Pale Rider" and "Armageddon." This prop was photographed for special effects sequences and was screen-used before being left w/"Ghostbusters" Associate Producer and "Ghostbusters II" Executive Producer Michael C. Gross. Prop shows scattered wear from use w/some dust soiling to remote control box. Handle was broken and has been professionally repaired. Ghost Trap no longer works, but doors to trap can be opened/closed manually. Fine overall and great for display. Comes w/photocopies of original lot description from original 1991 auction sale, instructions for use and letter from Gross. A rare and iconic piece of 1980s pop culture and a must for "Ghostbusters" fans. *Ghosts not included.
Additional photos from the auction:

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Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 2:17 pm
by Kingpin
Interesting to see that they've given the Trap's measurements as 6inches by 8 inches by 14inches (no idea if that's to the top of the handle, or the top of the handle button). Additional neat revelations are that the pedal vector plate is attached via a metal wire, which presumably acts in accordance with the spring in bellows to keep it in the "extended" position when not depressed - celever, simple but effective.
And that we now have incredibly reference material for how the doors were mechanised.

On the notation about Ghostbusters, whilst the construction of the door mechanism appears similar to the one present in the Slimer trapping scene, I don't believe this one ever actually appeared on-screen (the biggest clue to me that the Sedgewick Trap has a very prominent bit of welding on the handle, which this prop doesn't have).

And for those wondering if this is indeed the genuine article (because I did as well), here are some comparisons between the Hero Trap on-screen, and the prop above:

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Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 3:26 pm
by Glenn Frederick
Wow, This is great. I can't believe we now have more info on the GB2 trap.
That pic of the inside is glorious.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 7:10 pm
by kurisu7885
I wonder if it still works.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 28th, 2018, 8:35 pm
by Sav C
You don't suppose my bank would give me a loan for this, do you?

Seriously though, it's so cool to see these pics!

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 30th, 2018, 9:17 am
by venkman71
And me without my spare ten's of thousands of dollars. :sigh:

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: October 31st, 2018, 7:24 pm
by Saborlas
Knowing this community, someone's gonna buy it with the intent of fixing it.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: November 2nd, 2018, 7:30 am
by Theoderic
Holy f%&$&in gee-zus... that's awesome! Thanks a lot for posting these :shock:

Even though this wouldn't be affordable at all (well, unless you're insanely rich plus insanely insane - since it's actually like the damn, existing holy grail himself), it brings some invaluable pictures of the actual screen used prop-trap for all us maniac trap-builders as reference.
I'm literally stunned.

Greetz...

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: November 3rd, 2018, 9:13 pm
by One time
I wonder what that switch on the back is for.

And the trap looks so much taller than it is wide. It doesn't look as sleek as the GB1, or maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: November 3rd, 2018, 9:53 pm
by Demon Vice Commander
One time wrote: November 3rd, 2018, 9:13 pm I wonder what that switch on the back is for.
That switch activates the receiver for the radio controller.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: November 16th, 2018, 12:42 pm
by below_radar_00
Sold for $71,390.00!

Wonder if it went to someone that's a hardcore GB fan? One might assume so for that price but I imagine there are plenty of movie props collectors that will grab stuff from all sorts of movies.

Re: Ghostbusters II Hero Trap appears in auction

Posted: July 18th, 2019, 6:38 am
by Kingpin
For those wishing to see this Trap in person, it's expected to on display at Prop Store's stand at this year's San Diego Comic Con (along with a bag of Stay Puft Marshmallows):

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