'Star Trek' Collectibles Begin Pre-Auction Tour

LONDON (AP) - "Star Trek'' memorabilia spanning four decades - including Vulcan jewelry and Starfleet mini-dresses - went on display Wednesday in London in preparation for the first official auction of studio items from the sci-fi phenomenon.

The collection of more than 1,000 items is being sold CBS Paramount Television to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first "Star Trek'' TV episode, said Helen Bailey, head of entertainment collections at Christie's auction house. The show ran from 1966 to 1969, but spawned five spinoff series and 10 films.

Weapons and models of the Starship Enterprise from the original series to the 2002 movie "Star Trek: Nemesis'' remain on display at Christie's in central London until Tuesday, before going to four U.S. cities en route to Christie's in New York City for the three-day sale beginning Oct. 5.

Highlights include a replica of Capt. James T. Kirk's chair from the original series - made for a 1996 episode of spinoff "Deep Space Nine'' - with an estimated value of 6,400 pounds (US$12,000, euro9,400).

Costumes, including a gray uniform and boots worn by star William Shatner, are expected to fetch up to 3,200 pounds (US$6,000, euro4,700) each.

"Star Trek has been a cornerstone of American popular culture for 40 years,'' said Cathy Elkies, director of special collections at Christie's.

The collection is valued at over 1 million pounds (US$1.8 million, euro1.5 million).