There were numerous reports of Rich Kotite sightings!
Going, going, gone at the speed of light: William Shatner wardrobe auction draws big crowd
Jack Solon
Canton Repository
- William Shatner returned to Hartville to auction off over 500 pieces of clothing from his personal wardrobe.
- The 93-year-old Canadian actor's collection included pieces worn both on-screen and on set, ranging from jackets to boots to T-shirts. A Star Trek jacket sold to an online bidder for $2,900.
LAKE TWP. ‒ Hundreds of pieces of clothing owned by "Star Trek" actor William Shatner were instantly transported to new owners Wednesday.
Nearly 500 items from his personal wardrobe were sold at auction at Hartville Marketplace, and beamed up, so to speak, to happy fans.
The event, put on by
Kiko Auctions, showcased luxury brand names of everyday apparel, suits, shoes and some custom jerseys sporting Shatner's name. Live and online bidding options were available. Other items included the 93-year-old's onscreen attire for iconic roles, including Capt. James T. Kirk and T.J. Hooker.
It was not the first time he has come to Hartville Marketplace. The actor also made an appearance in April, where
hundreds came to meet and receive autographs from the star.
William Shatner fans out in full force in Hartville Marketplace
To some attendees' disappointment, Shatner did not offer autographs this time around. That did not stop Tom Kolp from showing off his Capt. Kirk cardboard cutout. The 79-year-old real estate worker from North Canton said he first became a Shatner fan through "Star Trek."
"I've always loved any chance to get to see him close up and I can't wait to see him again," Kolp said ahead of time.
Kolp was not the only fan to bring Shatner memorabilia. Brenda and Mark Renicker, both retired, came from Guilford Lake in Columbiana County to see the star with vintage Star Trek plates and comics in tow.
"I've been a fan of Star Trek since the first show aired in the '60s and I like Kiko auctions a lot, too," said Brenda, 64. "It's just fun to come see things live, especially in this area where it doesn't happen often."
The Renickers' most coveted items were some of the jackets with Shatner's name printed on them.
Atwater teacher Pamela Shawgo's taste was more specific.
"My liking for Shatner probably started with Star Trek, but there wasn't a lot of Star Trek stuff besides a T-shirt," she said.
Williams Shatner auction: Who bought stuff?
Kiko Director of Marketing and Advertising Casey Milano said the venue had chairs for around 200 people in front of the stage. Shatner took a seat nearby and provided his own anecdotes about many of the items. Sometimes, he would do so in the middle of the bidding.
"I've never done this before so this is a very personal thing going on," Shatner said. "To my recollection, every single one of these garments is from a show that I was in. I can't remember the last time I bought clothes."
Certificates of authenticity autographed by Shatner were provided with the first 200 items sold.
The items that fetched the highest prices were a handmade tasseled leather jacket Shatner wore for numerous western films, a "T.J. Hooker" jacket and a "Star Trek: Generations" jacket he wore on set.
The items sold for $1,500, $2,300 and $2,900 respectively.
Another standout item was a jacket from the National Air and Space Museum, where Shatner is an inductee. In 2021, Shatner boarded Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin space shuttle to cross to the final frontier himself.
"People who have this jacket are renowned astronauts," Shatner told the crowd. "They are in all likelihood the only ones who have a jacket like this, people who have been up in space."
The jacket sold for $975.
'It's the heart of it all.' Hartville destination energizes community
Most interestingly to some attendees was Shatner's destination choice of Hartville.
Mike Leonard, 73, is from Hartville and came to see Shatner for his brother, a big fan of the actor.
"It's a big thing having someone important like Shatner come to Hartville," Leonard said. "Hartville's the heart of it all, right here in the middle of Stark County."
The venue was abuzz with the same sentiment from other attendees and event organizers alike.
"I just cannot believe he came to Hartville, Ohio," another attendee said.
