• A model of the saucer shaped starship Enterprise made of a silver-tone metal (steel) in a lucite block with a partial beaded chain imbedded in the interior toward the top of the block. The rest of the chain is above and outside block, missing.
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    This Starship Enterprise miniature model in a clear plastic block was a prop used in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966-1969. This model appeared in episode #30, titled "Catspaw" (director, Joseph Pevney), which first aired on October 27, 1967, during the show's second season. The episode had a Halloween theme in which the U.S.S. Enterprise encountered witches, black cats, and haunted castles on planet Pyris VII. As part of the story, the head witch dangled a Starship Enterprise charm over a flame and threatened Captain Kirk to do her bidding while the crew of the ship became anxious about the sudden rise in temperature aboard the real ship. When the miniature Enterprise is then encased in crystal (the clear plastic block), the real ship finds itself surrounded by a force field.

    In 1973, Star Trek designer Walter "Matt" Jeffries donated this miniature to the Museum, along with a production model of a Klingon battle cruiser.

  • A model of the saucer shaped starship Enterprise made of a silver-tone metal (steel) in a lucite block with a partial beaded chain imbedded in the interior toward the top of the block. The rest of the chain is above and outside block, missing.

Photographer:

Mark Avino

ID#:

2009-31311

Source:

Smithsonian Institution

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Usage conditions apply

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Smithsonian Terms of Use