Lot 072 Provenance Record
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Provenance record · Lot 072

Original “Ss” Schoolhouse Desk

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) · set dressing. This page shows the evidence behind how we describe this piece — and where that evidence stops.

Level 1Acquired from the production

Came to us from the production. Makes no claim about screen use.

Level 2 — this lotScreen matched

We can point to this exact object in the finished film. Evidence below.

Level 3Screen used

Production paperwork establishes the object was used on camera.

Level 4Screen worn

Worn by a named performer as a named character, with documentation.

Claim levelScreen matched
Evidence items4
Verified byJ. Reyes · Auction management
Recorded17 Aug 2026
Exhibit AFrame matchRecorded 17 Aug 2026

A still from the finished film beside our intake photograph of the object. The desk appears in the Whoville schoolhouse sequence.

01:14:22:08

Film still · Whoville schoolhouse

Intake

Our photograph · 14 Aug 2026

01Lettering. The applied “Ss” sits high and left of centre, with the same gap between characters.
02Upper-right chip. A paint loss roughly 14 mm across, in the same position in both images.
03Grain run. The timber grain runs to the same knot near the front edge.
04Hinge wear. Matching scuff pattern below the lid hinge on the right side.
Exhibit BCondition on intake14 Aug 2026

Photographed on arrival, before any cleaning or handling by us. Condition is described as we received it.

Upper surface · raking light

Underside & hinge detail

Paint loss to the upper-right corner, consistent with the film still.
Two shallow gouges to the writing surface, not visible on camera.
Hinge intact and operating. No repairs, no over-painting.
No conservation work carried out by Icons. Sold as received.
Exhibit CSource & paperworkOn file

Where the piece came to us from, and what came with it. Names of private individuals are withheld on the public record and are available to the buyer on request.

Consignment agreementEstate consignment · signed 14 Aug 2026
On file
Prior sale recordProduction asset sale, 2001 · lot listing retained
On file
Studio letter or call sheetNot held for this piece
None
Set decorator statementNot held for this piece
None

Chain of custody

Every movement since the piece entered our system, taken from the inventory log. This record cannot be edited after the fact.

14 Aug 2026
CollectedEstate collection, Crystal River, FL · two-person crew · barcoded on the van
14 Aug 2026
Intake & conditionPhotographed on arrival, condition noted, assigned to Florida facility
17 Aug 2026
Provenance raised to screen matchedFrame match recorded by J. Reyes · four points of correspondence
22 Aug 2026
CataloguedEntered into Auction 75 as Lot 072 · 6 photographs
27 Aug 2026
Photography replacedRe-shot at consignor's request · buckle detail corrected
12 Sep 2026
PublishedLot opened for bidding at $500
What we are not claiming. We hold no studio letter, call sheet or set decorator statement for this piece, and we are not describing it as screen used. A frame match establishes that this object appears in the film; it does not establish who handled it, in which takes, or for how long. If a document turns up later that supports a stronger claim, we will record it here and say so — and if something undermines the claim, we will record that too.
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