Counterfeit Balrogs?

[gooball]

Recently I've been observing some interesting traits of the Balrogs on eBay and gradually I've fallen under the impression that a Balrog counterfeiting operation may be in progress.

If someone from Sideshow could either confirm or deny a couple of questions it would pretty much either blow my theory out of the water or possibly confirm it.

The questions revolve around the images on this eBay auction:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISA...3389427517 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3389427517)

1)Were Balrogs ever shipped out with the spelling error on the packaging box 'Balrong'.

2)Would an Artist's proof be designated in texta on the box?

One thing that leads me to think that there are fake Balrogs are the huge number of artists proofs on eBay recently. How many were made? Does an appearence of probably four in the last two weeks on eBay seem out of the ordinary, in terms of the rate at which people with genuine AP Balrogs would be willing to part with them?

Thanks :) .

edit:
I'd also like to add, if I'm looking a little crazy, that there's the opportunity for huge financial profit through a counterfeiting ring.

[mitthrawnuruondo]

good question.i would assume sideshow/weta knows how to spell balrog.a very keen eye to have even noticed that gooball.

[The Bagster]

Refer back to the thread

How long before this goes ?

The Bagster :hat

[TURINS BANE]

A good question and well constructed.;)

[Brant]

Everything appears to be legit.

The spelling on the shipping carton is the uber-incorrect "Balrong" on every box.

The majority of the artist proofs (and I know the number of AP's is small - always less than 10% of the total production) were sent to New Zealand, and have since been circulating around the world. They are marked as "AP" on the outside of the box.

It would be *extremely* difficult to counterfit the Balrog statue. I think more AP's are ending up on eBay at the moment because of the high value.

[Super Serg]

Isn't Balrog spelled "Balrong" in chinese?
:lol

*SS*

[gooball]

I think you mean 'Engrish', serg ;) .

Thanks for the comments, Brant. Time to move on to the next conspiracy. 8o

I have to admit that a max of 10% artists proofs is very interesting. I didn't expect there to be that many, but it does explain their abundance on eBay.

You say it would be hard to replicate a Balrog, but wouldn't it be relatively easy if you had access to relevant equipment and were willing to invest $1000USD in each Balrog? At that price, you'd still back over a grand for each unit. I'm definitely not the expert, though, so I'll take your word for it.

[bombadil]

Hmm, 10% of 1000 pieces is up till 100. Under 100 piece of artist proof Balrog.

Interesting.:smokin

[Chino the Geek]

I'm waiting for the ultra rare error "Bonglog"

[TURINS BANE]

Super serg thanks for solving the "Balrong" mystery.;) :lol
T B 8o

[Fubeca]

can you say Balwrong?:lurk