Ah, Starfleet cases. They come in all colors and shapes and I love all of them! Especially the ones that were used by the engineering staff to carry around their great little tools and instruments. But that’s not the only use for them, of course. They’re also very useful to store PADDs for example. And that’s exactly what Captain Picard uses his briefcase for in the TNG-Episode “Starship Mine” (6×18) when he leaves the ship, which is due for a Baryon sweep that requires a complete evacuation.

Prop-makers love to use everyday items, re-dress them a little and let them appear in a futuristic environment. It’s cheap, it looks convincing and it doesn’t take much time to do it. Because of that, most of the cases that appear on Star Trek are actual cases, that have a unusual twist or a unique look to them. It’s the same with Picards briefcase, which is actually a uncommonly shaped CD case from the eighties. The good thing about this is, that any “replica” made from the same type of case is 100% accurate in size and material, which is also the case with my prop.

The case itself does not give away too much about the brand or maker of it, the only markings on the inside state: “Outer Circle Products LTD. Chicago, U.S. & Foreign patents pending, made in U.S.A.”

I got this case on eBay some time ago. Unfortunately it was painted in the wrong color and had the incorrect details on it, so I had to refurbish it and make it accurate to its prominent appearance in TNG.

Here are some screencaps from the show:

This case was actually also heavily used on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine“, not very prominently however, but in the background on the Promenade. For these appearances, it was repainted and outfitted with different styles of tape detailing.

Here are some examples:

And here’s my prop:

One of many cases used on Star Trek: Picards Starfleet Briefcase.

The overall shape is very futuristic, unique and interesting.

The back-side is nothing but black and clean-looking.

The case opens up on the top where the handle is.

I lined the inside with some soft foam to protect whatever is carried in the case.

Instantly recognizable as Starfleet: The red pill-shaped label is essential.

These are the only markings found on the entire case.

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To absent friends… To family.

These are the words that Jean-Luc Picard spoke in the end of “Star Trek: Nemesis” after Data had sacrificed himself to rescue the Captain from the exploding Romulan vessel Scimitar. And it was that occasion, that brought all of Datas shipmates, friends and – in a sense – family together to honor him and taste Chateau Picard, the wine that Picard’s Brother Robert used to press on Earth with passion until his death.

From a technical point of view, this is a relatively simple prop. You just print out the correct graphic and slap it on a nice bottle of actual wine and there you go. And that’s what a friend of mine did and gave it to me as a gift. Thanks Michael!

Here are some snapshots from the movie and the bonus features:

And here’s my replica:

For a special occasion: Chateau Picard, real wine…

…pressed in Labarre, France on Earth, not replicated.

This particular bottle is from 2267.

The picture of the vine is not entirely correct.

The top of the bottle is encased in red, just like the real one.

I got this one from a friend and fellow collector. Thanks Michael!

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These mugs were made by HighWave and were called “HotJo”. The model line was modernized however, so that the older ones are not available anymore. The current HotJo mugs were also used in later seasons of DS9 however.

I recently had the chance to acquire one of the original HotJo mugs on eBay, unfortunately not a purple one however, but a teal colored one. The teal color was also used on mugs in DS9, but not in these cone shaped mugs in Quarks Bar, but only on the more straightlined ones in OPS and the surrounding command level of the station.

Here are some screenshots of the mug in question:

And here’s my teal mug:

HighWave sold these years ago as travel mugs.

This heavy mug is made from stoneware…

…and features a very comfortable handle.

The purple mugs were custom made for the show…

…and are very rare these days.

These were only used in Quarks. In OPS they had a more straightlined type.

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It is such a mug that I got on eBay some time ago and that I am now happy to present here! The maker is unknown to me but the mug was probably a found item and is no longer made today.

As usual, let’s first have a look at some screenshots. This is a scene in the Replimat where the mugs were used:

And here’s mine:

This stoneware mug is absolutely accurate and identical to the ones used.

The handle is quite thick and a little uncomfortable to use in my opinion.

Due to the wide base, this mug is unlikely to ever tip over.

The manufacturer of this mug is unknown to me…

…but this exact type of mug is unlikely to be still made unaltered today.

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“Tea, Earl Grey, hot!”

It is a small glass cup made by Bodum, equipped with a plastic handle that can be detached for cleaning. This found item is to my knowledge no longer manufactured, so it will be increasingly hard to find. The cup is part of an entire tea set named “Le Pot”, which includes four cups, a tea pot, a sugar bowl, a creamer (all with cork pads) and spoons.

Here’s a still of the screen used cup:

And here’s mine:

The Bodum cup (note the logo on the bottom) is made of glass…

…and has a plastic handle which can be detached for cleaning.

There is also a taller version of this cup…

…which was also used in TNG.

Here are both cups in a comparison shot.

I was lucky enough to obtain the entire tea set which is called “Le Pot”.

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I was fortunate for me that I was able to get one of these a while ago.

Here’s a screenshot of the scene where Guinan uses the glass to mix a drink:

And here’s mine:

The unusual shape makes it hard to empty the glass I would imagine.

Like many other Star Trek glasses, this one was a candle holder in a former life.

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Another encounter with Tribbles occures in DS9s “Trials and Tribble-ations“, where the little buggers in the end even pay a visit to the cardassian space station.

My replica or toy that is to say was sent along one of my orders from the Roddenberry.com Online-Store as a bonus celebrating Star Trek’s 40th anniversary. It is very nice and soft, but unfortunately the purring sound is missing. However, I’m glad it doesn’t eat.

The motion of the original Tribble props was done using electric motors…

…from toy dogs and balloons.

Tribbles procreate very fast, …

… so that they can even be born pregnant!

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In the episode “Future’s End“, the Doc was able to get a piece of 29th century technology – the mobile emitter -, which enabled him to do a big step in his development: He now was able to not only exist in sickbay or the holodeck but any other room without holo projectors and to move freely on the ship, go on away missions, etc. In essence, he gained the same freedom any other (human) crew member took for granted.

Here are some reference pictures from various episodes:

Here are the pictures of my replica:

The exposed circuits can be modified using micro tools, …

… which can have different effects on the Doctor’s projected appearance.

Size comparison with a Standard Starfleet Comm Badge.

I got the circuit board graphic from a fellow prop builder, …

… who printed it on aluminium vinyl and then laminated it. Great work!

The inside of the four slots are hand painted.

The graphics were cut precisely to fit in where they should.

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Once activated, these small devices enable the user to communicate with any other crew memeber who is also equipped with a smiliar badge. While the activation is done by a simple tap, everything else works through a highly sophisticated speech recognition system. Furthermore, these badged contain a personal ID beacon which can for example help to locate crew memebers in case of an emergency.

My replicas shown here are first generation castings from the original and are painted with authentic colors – unless you own a screen-used piece, this is as authentic as you can get. I acquired all of these items through eBay from the seller “JeepFX“.

TNG

TNG – Acting Ensign

TNG – “Future Imperfect”

DS9 – Bajoran Militia

TNG – “All Good Things…”

DS9/VOY/FC/INS/NEM

VOY – “Relativity”

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Not only humans however use this kind of technology (see Voyager PADD), also several alien races like the Cardassians have realized the comfort of easy to use mobile information management. What I have here, is such a cardassian PADD, which was used primarily in “Deep Space Nine”. I was fortunate enough to add this piece to my collection by winning an eBay auction.

By the way: Although this PADD was designed to be a cardassian device, it was later repainted and also used as a Federation PADD!

First up, here’s a close-up shot from TNG for reference:

And here’s my replica:

• The buttons are decorated with gold and silver foil.

There are many details on this piece like ribbed parts…

… and stickers on the backside.

This replica looks rather rough…

… just like most of the original props as well.

This PADD is ergonomically designed and comfortable to hold.

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