For devoted Star Trek aficionados and collectors of iconic movie memorabilia, extraordinary discoveries are what fuel our passions. Today marks one such momentous occasion. Julien’s Auctions in Culver City, California, is hosting a thrilling two-day auction, commencing December 16th, showcasing an impressive array of 48 lots featuring Star Trek artifacts from across the franchise, including The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and more.
Among this stellar collection, Lot 264 stands out as an unparalleled treasure, poised to ignite fervent excitement among enthusiasts worldwide. This isn’t just another piece of Star Trek history; it’s a relic long thought to be lost to time:
William Shatner as Admiral Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, showcasing the iconic Starfleet command jacket.This is the original Starfleet Command jacket worn by William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The auction description reads:
“WILLIAM SHATNER “ADMIRAL JAMES T. KIRK” STARFLEET COMMAND JACKET FROM STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN “A Starfleet command/officer’s jacket worn by William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Paramount, 1982). Maroon jacket with asymmetrical front lapel, cream colored interior and black piping with gold soutache trim (indicating Flag Officer rank). Features two silver- and gold-tone “admiral’s star” badges at right shoulder and left arm. Also features black and gold checkered (Rear Admiral) ribbon and cream colored stripe with production brass-tone rank bands and pins on left sleeve. Costume includes black leather belt with brass Starfleet buckle. Sotheby’s tag attached. Accompanied by Paramount Pictures letter of authenticity, signed by director Nicholas Meyer and dated January 30, 1997. The letter from Nicholas Meyer states the following: This letter will confirm that the Star Fleet tunic [jacket] in your possession was worn by William Shatner in the film STAR TREK II – The Wrath of Khan, which was written and directed by me. I was presented with the jacket at the close of shooting in 1981, and I gave it directly to you. PROVENANCE Lot 580, Sotheby’s, New York, December 19, 1997. Paramount Pictures Letter of Authenticity, signed by Director Nicholas Meyer, dated January 30, 1997.””
The allure of this piece is undeniable. While multiple jackets were undoubtedly created for William Shatner during the production of Wrath of Khan, the common belief among collectors was that a pristine, unmodified “Wrath of Khan” Kirk jacket simply no longer existed. These iconic uniforms, seemingly lost to the mists of time, were considered the “unicorns” of Star Trek collecting – until now.
The Rarity of an Original “Wrath of Khan” Uniform
One might reasonably assume that with multiple jackets made for the film’s star, such an item wouldn’t be exceptionally rare. After all, William Shatner was central to nearly every scene in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, suggesting several uniform jackets would have been necessary for production. Estimates point to perhaps seven or eight jackets being created for Shatner.
However, the reality of Hollywood costuming practices, particularly during the Star Trek film era of the 1980s and early 1990s, drastically altered the fate of these garments. Driven by budgetary constraints, studios frequently repurposed costumes from earlier productions for use in subsequent films. This meant that costumes, including those worn by principal actors like Shatner, were placed into general inventory to be reused as needed for other performers or extras.
The cream-colored interior lining of the Wrath of Khan Starfleet jacket, a detail specific to command officers uniforms.When a jacket was pulled from inventory for reuse, it underwent a process of “neutralization.” Rank bands, admiral’s insignia, and distinctive details like the gold trim signifying flag officer status were removed. The jacket’s size became the primary consideration for re-assignment, with new rank and accessories added to suit the character’s requirements in the new production.
Documented instances confirm this practice. A Kirk jacket, for example, was repurposed for the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief character in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, played by Leon Russom. This very jacket surfaced at auction, bearing the original Western Costume tag with Shatner’s name, overwritten with Russom’s. Modifications for its Star Trek VI role included new rank pins and additional gold trim.
This became the typical fate of Kirk’s Wrath of Khan jackets. As William Shatner’s costumes were updated for size changes throughout the film series, older jackets were retired into inventory and subsequently recycled for other productions. Examples even exist of maroon jackets, originally tailored for male officers like Kirk, being crudely altered for female use, further obscuring their origins.
Provenance Preserves a Piece of Star Trek History
The auction of this “Wrath of Khan” uniform jacket is particularly significant because it answers the crucial question: how did this piece survive when so many others were lost to costume recycling? The answer lies in its unique provenance. This jacket was gifted to Nicholas Meyer, the director of Wrath of Khan, in 1981 upon the completion of filming.
Close-up of the rank strap and Admiral pin detail on the Wrath of Khan jacket.
By being gifted directly to Meyer, the jacket bypassed the studio’s costume inventory system entirely. It was never subjected to the modifications and re-labeling that befell its counterparts. Effectively removed from Paramount’s reuse cycle, this “Wrath of Khan” uniform jacket was preserved, untouched, for decades. The accompanying letter of authenticity, signed by Nicholas Meyer himself, provides impeccable provenance, solidifying its status as a genuine artifact from cinematic history.
Minor Anomalies, Undeniable Authenticity
While the jacket is overwhelmingly consistent with screen-used examples, keen-eyed observers have noted a couple of minor discrepancies. Notably, the rank band on the wrist is mounted on a maroon backing, rather than the gold lame backing with gold piping that was typical for admiral’s uniforms in Wrath of Khan. Interestingly, the maroon-backed bands were used on crewman jumpsuits in the film, suggesting a possible mix-up during reassembly, perhaps for presentation to Meyer.
The distinctive checkered strap detail unique to the Wrath of Khan era Starfleet uniforms.
Another minor point is the absence of a Western Costume tag, commonly found in production-made uniforms. These tags were often removed when costumes were reused, but given this jacket’s unique history, its absence is unusual. However, as with the wristband detail, these minor anomalies do not detract from the jacket’s overall authenticity. Having handled numerous production-made Star Trek uniforms, experts recognize this piece as unequivocally genuine.
A Unique Piece of Star Trek History
The detailed back design of the Wrath of Khan Admiral uniform jacket, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship.Previous auctions of Kirk jackets, even modified versions, have fetched impressive sums. The “C-in-C Russom” jacket, complete with pants and undershirt, sold for over $40,000. This pristine “Wrath of Khan” jacket, estimated at $80,000-$100,000, is already attracting significant pre-bidding interest, currently standing at $55,000 (as of this writing). Whether it reaches or surpasses its estimate remains to be seen, but its unique status suggests the sky’s the limit.
This isn’t merely a rare Star Trek collectible; it is arguably a one-of-a-kind artifact. The auction of this “Wrath of Khan” uniform jacket presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a genuine piece of cinematic and Star Trek history. To witness this extraordinary piece and explore the entire auction catalog, visit HERE.
Live Long and Prosper.
Don
