"In the beginning, God created beast and man, so that both might live in friendship and share dominion over a world at peace. But in the fullness of time, evil men betrayed God's trust and, in disobedience to His holy word, waged bloody wars...not only against their own kind, but against the apes, whom they reduced to slavery. Then God, in His wrath, sent the world a savior, miraculously born of two apes who had descended on Earth from Earth's own future. And man was afraid, for both parent apes possessed the power of speech. So both were brutally murdered. But the child ape survived and grew up to set his fellow creatures free from the yoke of human slavery. Yet, in the aftermath of his victory, the surface of the world was ravaged by the vilest war in human history. The great cities of the world split asunder and were flattened. And out of one such city, our savior led a remnant of those who survived in search of greener pastures, where ape and human might forever live in friendship, according to divine will. His name was Caesar, and this is his story in those far off days. … We still wait, my children. But as I look at apes and humans living in friendship, in harmony and at peace, now some 600 years after Caesar's death, at least we wait with hope for the future."
Thus spoke The Law Giver, the orangutan prophet on the Planet of the Apes. Statues of The Law Giver (played by John Huston later in the series) were seen around Ape City as a reminder of the fragile relationship between ape and human.
Up for auction is this incredible 8.5 ft., screen-used statue of The Lawgiver seen in PLANET OF THE APES and BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES. Cast with fiberglass over a wood frame, no mention is made of its weight, but there is a note that the winning bidder must arrange their own transport of this marvelous piece. Can you imagine having this in your yard?
Here is the lot description. Bidding begins on July 5th.
Monumental Iconic Screen Used "Lawgiver" Statue Prop from Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (TCF, 1968/1970). Vintage original screen used, instantly recognizable "Lawgiver" statue constructed of hollow cast fiberglass over wood substructure, expertly painted and finished in a natural sandstone palette, and distressed to appear weather-worn carved stone statue. The "Lawgiver" is an important central orangutan prophet deity in the Planet of the Apes franchise, appearing throughout scenes of ape culture and in the form of this towering statue in both Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Measuring approx. 8.5 ft. tall and 51" x 44" at the base with integral table and scrolls. Two Lawgiver statues were created and used in the first two feature films. One Lawgiver statue was used on set on stage 22 of the Fox lot, and the other was used out on location at the Fox Ranch "Ape City" set. So, both statues did appear in the films as well as publicity shots for promotional materials. PotA collectors have been aware of this piece and have coveted it for decades. Originally from the collection of Planet of the Apes producer Arthur P. Jacobs (of APJAC Productions), the consignor acquired this figure in December 1998 from Jacobs' widow, Natalie Trundy Jacobs, who played "Albina" in Beneath the Planet of the Apes and other characters in all subsequent PotA films. The piece was professionally repainted and subsequently exposed to outside elements. Exhibiting age, production wear, and expected weathering. Some minor surface cracks in areas. The integrity of the fiberglass shell is very strong. In vintage Good to Very Good condition. NOTE: The winning bidder must arrange pick up or shipping of the item from Beverly Hills, CA within 2 weeks of the auction, otherwise storage fees will apply. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.
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