A 3-foot model of the USS Enterprise, the first used in shooting the original Star Trek series, appeared on eBay with a starting bid of $1,000.
The eBay listing was taken down after enthusiasts on social media and forums recognized the significance of the model and its probable connection to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's estate.
Rod Roddenberry, Gene Roddenberry's son, expressed a desire to contact the seller for the model's return in a now-inaccessible Facebook post and a similar message on Twitter.
The Roddenberry estate did not provide a public comment, and the eBay seller declined to disclose their identity or how they obtained the model, stating it is now with a proper team.
The seller's account specializes in selling artifacts found in storage lockers without an owner, hinting at how the model might have been discovered.
Extensive research by enthusiasts supports the authenticity of the model, which was made by Richard Datin Jr. under Gene Roddenberry's direction before the series had a full order. It was used for the series' opening credits and some early episodes.
The 3-foot model was also occasionally used in later episodes, including one where it was depicted as a model on a table.
Enthusiasts have done extensive research into this and other props used in the series, documenting details about them, the stories behind them, and where they have ended up over the years.
It was also used sporadically in other shots in later episodes, including one where it actually acted as a model of the Enterprise sitting on a table.