I was fortunate enough to visit Dane Nash’s American Superhero Museum in downtown Indianapolis in 2007 before it abruptly closed in early 2008.

And now Nash’s splendid collection of Superman, Batman, Spiderman and other costumes, cars, photographs and more is going to be auctioned at 2 p.m. Saturday. Many of those items are available for viewing online at www.antiquehelper.com/upcoming-auctions/282. There will be an auction preview from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

John Saboll, vice president of Antique Helper, said in an interview that a Marion County court ordered the seizure of the vast collection of memorabilia. There are probably at least 1,000 items that will be available.

“It’s a vast and varied collection,” Saboll said.

Since the auction was announced, Antique Helper has calls from all over the world of what was one of the largest private collections of superhero memorabilia.

“We’re selling it for the trustee,” Saboll said.

Saboll declined to say who trustee is.

No reserve, minimum prices have been set, he said.

The museum was in downtown Indianapolis near the RCA Dome and Union Station. It opened March 31, 2007, but was open for less than a year.

When I interviewed Nash at his museum in 2007, the museum was crammed with items, chiefly Batman and Superman related, that Nash collected for almost a half century. Spiderman and other superhero related items also could be found. Among the items in the museum were:

— Superman costumes, worn by actors in television series and movies.

— Superman, Batman and related comic books.

— A “Batmobile.” Nash bought an 1989 model Corvette and had it converted into the Batmobile.

— Superman and Batman toys, figurines and dolls.

— Posters and photos, some autographed, of people connected to the television shows and movies.

— Trading cards, puzzles, games and even products bearing superheroes names and images.

“I’m a collector at heart, a keeper” Nash said.

For years, Nash had the idea of creating a museum. After retiring from the property insurance business, Nash decided to create the museum.

“I always had these cool toys and enjoyed sharing them,” Nash said.

Unfortunately, the museum didn’t last long. If, however, you want to see this impressive collection, you can view elements of it at the Antique Helper website.

If you would like to attend the auction, it will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 22 at 2764 E. 55th Place, Indianapolis.

Library of Congress adds Lucas films

Two George Lucas creations have been honored as part of the annual Library of Congress’ selection of films to be added to the National Film Registry.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant, to be preserved for all time. These films are not selected as the “best” American films of all time, but rather as works of enduring significance to American culture.

Late last month, announced that Lucas’ “Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB,” his student film, and “The Empire Strikes Back,” which I regard as the best of the “Star Wars” movies, were being added to the registry. The first “Star Wars” film released, now referred to as “Star Wars IV: A New Hope,” was already on the register.

Among the others added were “All the President’s Men,” “The Exorcist,” “The Front Page,” “Malcolm X,” “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “The Pink Panther,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” and “Airplane.”

I stil have a long list of science fiction related films that should be included, as reported previously in this blog. They include “Forbidden Planet,” “On the Beach,” “Star Trek: the Wrath of Khan,” “War of the Worlds (1953),” “The Time Machine (1960)” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”

Starbase Indy 2011 guests announced

It’s 11 months off, but two guests for Starbase Indy 2011 have been announced.

John Billingsley, who was Dr. Phlox on “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and his wife Bonita Friedericy, the general on “Chuck, ” have been signed up for the event later this year.

The date has been changed for this year from its annual Thanksgiving weekend date to Dec. 9-11.

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