Sompote Sands’ Ultraman and Kaiju Collection Heads to Auction With More Than 300 Film Artifacts
A major archive of Ultraman, kaiju and Japanese sci-fi memorabilia is heading to auction for the first time. Julien’s Auctions will offer more than 300 original film artifacts and collectibles from the estate of Thai filmmaker and special-effects pioneer Sompote Sands on September 23 in Los Angeles and online.
The sale, titled “Kaiju King: The Sompote Sands Legacy Collection,” arrives during Ultraman’s 60th anniversary year and brings together production-used suits, masks, miniatures, props, scripts, vintage figures, original artwork and behind-the-scenes material accumulated by Sands over more than five decades. Much of the collection had been displayed at his personally curated Sompote House museum in Thailand.
Some of the biggest pieces come directly from Sands’ Ultraman-related productions. An Ultraseven production mask from Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen, constructed from fiberglass with internal wiring for illuminated eyes and jewel, carries an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. An original promotional flying Ultraman miniature used to promote the same film is estimated at $1,000 to $2,000, while a massive Ultraman Jack vending machine statue from the movie’s 1974 premiere at Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre is expected to bring $2,000 to $3,000.
Jumborg Ace & Giant is represented by several production pieces as well. The original Jumborg Ace suit torso, made from a custom neoprene wetsuit with a fiberglass and resin helmet, is estimated at $2,000 to $3,000. A “Fighting Star” fighter jet miniature used during the movie’s kaiju battles carries the same estimate, while an original sword wielded by Jum Killer, Jr. is expected to sell for $700 to $900.
One of the most significant sections of the auction is devoted to original artwork by legendary Ultraman character designer Tohl Narita. A signed three-dimensional painting of Ultraman acquired directly from Narita is estimated at $10,000 to $20,000, making it one of the highest-valued lots announced for the sale. Similar three-dimensional works depicting Pigmon and Alien Baltan are each expected to bring between $5,000 and $7,000.
Also included is a solid-resin Ultraseven prototype design statue created by Narita as an early concept for the 1967 television series. Julien’s has placed a $5,000 to $7,000 estimate on the piece.
Collectors of original movie advertising will have several hand-painted works to consider. The original Thai one-sheet artwork for Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders and the hand-painted poster artwork for Jumborg Ace & Giant are each estimated at $800 to $1,000. A separate archive of 16 theatrical posters from Sands’ career, including Tah Tien, Jumborg Ace & Giant, Crocodile and Magic Lizard, is estimated at $300 to $500.
The collection also reaches back to Sands’ early career in Japan. His personal Japanese production script from the 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla, annotated in his own hand and accompanied by an on-set photograph, is estimated at $2,000 to $3,000. Sands’ Petri 7 “Green-O-Matic” 35mm camera, which Julien’s says has been photo-matched to his time working on the movie, carries an estimate of $300 to $500.
Another unusual piece is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted poster listing Japanese films from 1962 and 1963 and signed by filmmakers including Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya. Julien’s estimates the poster at $2,000 to $3,000.
Vintage toys make up a substantial portion of the auction as well. Julien’s says approximately 100 lots will feature rare and vintage sofubi figures of kaiju and heroes, including Ultraman and Godzilla collectibles from companies such as Bandai, Banpresto and others dating from 1983 through 2000. Individual lots are generally estimated at $400 to $600.
Sands became known for blending Thai mythology with Japanese-style practical effects and giant-monster filmmaking during the 1970s and 1980s. His credits included Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen, Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders and Jumborg Ace & Giant, and this auction marks the first time his personal Chaiyo Productions archive has been made available to the public.
“Kaiju King: The Sompote Sands Legacy Collection” will take place September 23 at 10 AM Pacific at Julien’s Studios in Gardena, California, with live and online bidding available.