Charlie Chaplin film: 3.20 in online auction, 100k at Bonham's
In 2009, collector Morace Park bought the film reel for Zepped - a rare Charlie Chaplin film - on eBay. He placed a bid because he liked the way the tin looked - when he won the item for just 3.20, he had no idea it was the only known surviving copy of the film, or that it features some of the earliest animation in the history of cinema. It is now due to go up for auction at Bonham's in Knightsbridge, London on 29 June, and is expected to fetch a six-figure sum.
The film lasts just under 7 minutes, and depicts Chaplin bringing down a German zeppelin during a bombing attack over London. Historians believe the film is evidence of the kind of propaganda that was produced as a means of boosting the morale of British troops during the war.
The film was classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 1917, according to the records. It also received an export licence. There are censorship frames towards the beginning of the film, which suggests that it could have been sent to troops posted in Egypt.
After buying the film through online auction site eBay, Park has heard diverging explanations from various experts about how and why the film was made. According to some, it was simply piece of cinematic experimentation. According to others, the film was made without Chaplin's knowledge.
There have also been conflicting theories about the zeppelin itself. Whilst some academics believe a real zeppelin was used, others say it looks more like a pioneering example of animated puppetry. Zeppelins, once known as "terrors of the sky", were deployed by the Germans in bombing raids over England and France during WWI. Whatever the film represents, however it came into existence, its enigmatic aura only seems to be fuelling interest in the film. The fact that it was bought for the price of a pint just adds to the story.
The film lasts just under 7 minutes, and depicts Chaplin bringing down a German zeppelin during a bombing attack over London. Historians believe the film is evidence of the kind of propaganda that was produced as a means of boosting the morale of British troops during the war.
The film was classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 1917, according to the records. It also received an export licence. There are censorship frames towards the beginning of the film, which suggests that it could have been sent to troops posted in Egypt.
After buying the film through online auction site eBay, Park has heard diverging explanations from various experts about how and why the film was made. According to some, it was simply piece of cinematic experimentation. According to others, the film was made without Chaplin's knowledge.
There have also been conflicting theories about the zeppelin itself. Whilst some academics believe a real zeppelin was used, others say it looks more like a pioneering example of animated puppetry. Zeppelins, once known as "terrors of the sky", were deployed by the Germans in bombing raids over England and France during WWI. Whatever the film represents, however it came into existence, its enigmatic aura only seems to be fuelling interest in the film. The fact that it was bought for the price of a pint just adds to the story.
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