Capital dome and flying saucer special effects miniature from the film Earth vs. the Flying Saucers produced by Columbia Pictures. 1956.

Original special effects miniature of the United States Capitol dome comprised of wood, plastic, modeling clay, paint, and metal (some paint losses); reproduction flying saucer. 19 3/4 × 14 1/4 × 17". Provenance: Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008), American editor, magazine publisher, and science fiction author; acquired by the present owner directly from Ackerman.

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers was a landmark film for B-movie special effects. Released on 13 June 1956, the film garnered enthusiastic praise for the masterful effects work of Ray Harryhausen, whose work on Mighty Joe Young and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms had already earned him significant acclaim. The now-iconic flying saucer design, according to Harryhausen, was influenced by descriptions provided by noted UFO author and "contactee" George Adamski and others who claimed to have seen such craft. This miniature can be seen in the climactic Washington, D.C. battle when one of the alien craft is shot down by the military and crashes into the United States Capitol.