the dracula rings

[Count_Zirock]

In the pic directly above, I do not understand why they added the raised edges to the scrolling that surrounds the shield- giving it sort of a filigree effect. That looks to be very inaccurate; where is there any evidence that the original ring had that on it, ever?

THIS version isn't supposed to be accurate, MB. It's an artist's interpretation of the design. DD no longer has the rights to do exact duplicates of the ring. They lost that when QMX, then Factory Entertainment, got the license, respectively. By making certain changes to the design, and limiting to 100, they avoid copyright infringement. I know it's not screen-accurate, but I like the revamped design (pun intended) enough to spring for one.

[Anton Phibes]

THIS version isn't supposed to be accurate, MB. It's an artist's interpretation of the design. I like the revamped design (pun intended) enough to spring for one.

I did to. Personally I dont really care if tis a direct mold of poor ole Uncle Forry's ring or not....just a nice representation of the classic design. Poor ole' Uncle Forry wore his to death, and it wasnt properly preserved. Alot of the detail is worn away to next to nothing. Making a mold from an already worn ring equals a reproduction that's an even more worn ring.

Now--if they restored Forry's ring to its original glory, then maybe I would like a restrike. But said restoration is sacrilegious to most so its easier to just get the DD ring and avoid any hoopla other than folks scratching their heads wondering why I spent so much money on something that isnt "an exact replica". Which I can live with. 

[Count_Zirock]

I did too. Personally I don't really care if tis a direct mold of poor ole Uncle Forry's ring or not....just a nice representation of the classic design. Poor ole' Uncle Forry wore his to death, and it wasn't properly preserved. A lot of the detail is worn away to next to nothing. Making a mold from an already worn ring equals a reproduction that's an even more worn ring.

Now--if they restored Forry's ring to its original glory, then maybe I would like a restrike. But said restoration is sacrilegious to most so its easier to just get the DD ring and avoid any hoopla other than folks scratching their heads wondering why I spent so much money on something that isnt "an exact replica". Which I can live with. 

To be fair, though, both QMX and Factory Ent. had their replicas tweaked prior to production. The FE ring was heavily restored, based on the clearest images available from HoF, HoD, and A&CMF. These aren't just unretouched molds, because everyone knows Forry wore it to death and kept it in his sock drawer. Unknowingly, he did a great disservice to both the Dracula Ring and Imhotep's Scarab Ring by wearing them regularly. Today, of course, props like these are instantly prepped for reproduction and mass production (with varying results-- NECA's Sweeney Todd razor prop replica being a prime example of a poor replica taken from a mold of the original).

[Count_Zirock]

I did too. ... it's easier to just get the DD ring and avoid any hoopla other than folks scratching their heads wondering why I spent so much money on something that isnt "an exact replica". Which I can live with. 

Anton, do you just display this, or do you sometimes wear it, too? Because I've received way more compliments on the DD "Ultimate Edition" ring than I have on either of my FE rings. I think it's because this one hasn't been heavily antiqued, as the others have been. The silver is very shiny, and really sets off the red in the Carnelian bloodstone. But, it doesn't hold up to extended wear well. After just two days, I put a tiny nick on the rear of the band. So, this one goes into a display case. Maybe I'll trot it out on Halloween and Walpurgis Night.

[Count_Zirock]

After nearly nine months of daily wear, my Factory Entertainment Collector's Edition ring has started to show a bit of bronze alloy under the hoop of the ring. Now, my sweat is very acidic, and it's been one HOT mother of a Summer. Alas, even with a bit of clear nailpolish applied to that spot, I'm going to have to relegate the ring to "occasional wear" only, now.

[Count_Zirock]

Haunted Studios has the Christopher Lee Dracula Crest Rings back in stock. Just ordered myself one as an early Halloween present!

[Count_Zirock]

I received my Christopher Lee Dracula Ring from Haunted Studios yesterday and, to be honest, I'm not impressed.
Somehow, I never realized the ring faces were just resin copies. I THOUGHT they were metal! But, I do see now where they say "cold cast." I would have realized they weren't metal had I noticed that previously. OK, that's my fault. Here's how the ring arrived.


Nice cardboard outer sleeve for the ring box.


Decent presentation box, but not as nice as the jewel display boxes of the past.


Hey, look at that break in the ivy just to the right of the shield! That's not supposed to be there. Air bubble in the resin. This made it past quality control? Oh no, it's going back!





These three shots show it with a nickel for size comparison.





Here's the COA that comes with it.


Here it is on my left pinkie, which is how Lee wore it.

[Joseph_Baeza]

The best value for your dollar, and a very nice replica of the Dracula ring owned by Uncle Forry was produced by Dimensional Designs last year, and can still be purchased.  I believe there are 3 different versions ranging in quality from a basic antique metal ($50) to an antique silver with carnelian blood stone (Ultimate Edition which goes for $300).  You can find these for sale at www.monstersinmotion.com...certainly, would make for an outstanding Christmas gift!

[Count_Zirock]

Yeah, we discussed those earlier in the thread. Two are made by Factory Entertainment, actually. Only the "Ultimate Edition" is made by Dimensional Designs.

[Count_Zirock]

Just an update. Here are a few pictures of the Christopher Lee Dracula Ring, that i bought from the Christopher Lee Web  site. They are pictured in the box it came in, and also on my niece, Emma's hand. I have included a picture of the back of the ring, where the band is split, in order for it to expand around any finger.

Moonvisage, was your ring all-metal? From your pictures, it looks all-metal. Maybe that's how they made them then, but they switched to the resin faces within the past two years?

[Count_Zirock]

Just received an email from The Haunted Studios that they are shipping out my replacement ring today. The don't want the damaged one back. I just might try to fix the break in the scrollwork ivy myself with some model filler putty, then repaint it myself for a one-of-a-kind replica.

[Factory]

Just to clarify, our Dracula rings, The Factory Entertainment rings are the ONLY officially licensed and accurate versions available.

We hold the worldwide rights to produce official prop replicas  from the Universal Monsters series of films.

Any other current prop replica  from a Universal Monsters film  is unlicensed and unofficial.

Some people will employ tricks and deception to avoid potential legal issues in order to produce and sell unlicensed items commercially. But the truth is, if they are being sold commercially as authentic prop replicas no matter how they are presented, they are bootleg.  No fees or dues are being paid to the relevant rights holders and the item at the end of the day  is damaging legitimate business and further development  and/or investment in the brand/s as the intellectual property and trademarks are being stolen.

People are free to make the choice and we do not want to appear heavy handed or draconian. But we would ask that all UMA members consider their actions. Buying unlicensed products is no different than purchasing pirated DVD's or software and it is often easy to forget that or pretend it is not the case.

It is also wrong for the people commercially selling unlicensed items to pretend otherwise and we wish they would be more honest and open in their dealings. Taking an item and subtly adapting it so that it is neither accurate or authentic and selling it as a replica without actually calling it a  replica is deceptive. It confuses buyers and creates a veneer of legitimacy that is simply not there.  If you are buying a 'Bolex' watch or a 'Lewis Vuitton' bag you should know you are buying a 'knock off' and then make your choice.

NBC Universal will and does aggressively protect its brands and trademarks.

[Count_Zirock]

The Haunted Studios makes it very clear they're selling reproductions of a reproduction of Christopher Lee's ring worn in the later Hammer Dracula films. As for the other rings out there...I don't think anyone is confusing them with licensed repros.

[Factory]

We were only addressing Universal properties and trademarks in our post.

However our faith in human nature would be restored and we would be delighted to learn that Sir Christopher Lee and/or Hammer were receiving any royalties or had granted a license for the item you mention. It is after all being sold with a  certificate of authenticity as 'an authenticated prop replica' using several trademarks and images not to mention Sir Christopher's own  name  to back its 'provenance' so you would hope so wouldn't you?

The truth however is we suspect somewhat different and is one of the reasons why nobody is rushing to make the considerable investment required to produce a legitimate and  officially licensed  replica of the wonderful Hammer  prop ring, not to mention why Sir Christopher himself stopped offering copies of his ring some years ago.



     

[Count_Zirock]

However our faith in human nature would be restored and we would be delighted to learn that Sir Christopher Lee and/or Hammer were receiving any royalties or had granted a license for the item you mention. It is after all being sold with a  certificate of authenticity as 'an authenticated prop replica' using several trademarks and images not to mention Sir Christopher's own  name to back its 'provenance' so you would hope so wouldn't you?

The truth however is we suspect somewhat different and is one of the reasons why nobody is rushing to make the considerable investment required to produce a legitimate and  officially licensed  replica of the wonderful Hammer  prop ring, not to mention why Sir Christopher himself stopped offering copies of his ring some years ago.

All good questions that I don't know the answers to. I'm guessing Universal & FE have both done a bit of research into it, though. All I can say is, as a collector, if someone were to offer licensed and authorized replicas of the Hammer Dracula ring, I'd prefer buying that to a "bootleg," certainly.