Back in November, we reported on how a long-lost model of the USS Enterprise was discovered for sale on eBay. The seller didn’t know what he had, but Trekkies soon apprised him that the three-foot model was the one used in the opening credits for Star Trek: The Original Series as well as the original pilot episode, “The Cage.”
Since then, the eBay seller removed the listing and brought it to Heritage Auction for authentication, with the intent of sending it on a voyage to its rightful home. The experts there confirmed the model was legit and reached out to Rod Roddenberry Jr., the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
“After five decades, I’m thrilled that someone happened upon this historic model of the USS Enterprise. I remember how it used to adorn my dad’s desk,” Rod Roddenberry, CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment said in a statement. “I am tremendously grateful to Heritage Auctions for facilitating the return of this iconic piece of Star Trek history to my family. I can’t wait to figure out how we are going to share it with my extended family, Star Trek fans around the world. We look forward to making that announcement.”
The model was designed by the art director Walter “Matt” Jefferies, who worked with Gene to create what they thought could be a believable starship, which Jefferies said in the 1968 book The Making of Star Trek was founded “on fairly solid scientific concepts, projected into the future.”
The result was the NC-1701 model we’ve all come to know and love, which will now live long and prosper under Roddenberry’s protection.
If you want to see some images of the model, check out the image at the beginning of this post as well as the photos below.
