The Lightspeed function extended into Sunday with further celebrities present, such as Tim Russ and Vaughn Armstrong, but we were not there because we were at the Richard Matheson signing in Burbank. We have posted that photo gallery here as well.

Leonard Nimoy revealed at a charity event on Saturday that he will start filming his part on the J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" movie within the next two weeks, and has just completed makeup and wardrobe tests.

The actor playing the older "Spock" in the 2008 movie made a surprise appearance at Lightspeed Fine Art's 8th Annual Celebrity Charity Benefit in Orange County, Calif. Lightspeed had advertised a special secret guest — "a pillar of the Star Trek universe" — and Nimoy was it. He attended the two-day event for several hours Saturday afternoon, joining the likes of Robert Picardo, Nana Visitor, Garrett Wang, Connor Trinneer, Suzie Plakson and many other stars from Trek and other sci-fi shows to sign autographs and contribute to the charity auction.

"I was on the set of the new 'Star Trek' movie a couple of days ago," Nimoy said during the Saturday evening auction to loud cheers. "I was doing some tests on my makeup and my wardrobe. The movie is gonna look fantastic, and we've got some wonderful people at bat and a great script. I start filming in about two weeks, and then we will be in the theaters Christmas '08, so I assume you're all looking forward to it. I certainly am."

Nimoy personally presented 15 items from his home collection to auction off to the high-roller Lightspeed gathering. Funds went to the Nimoy Foundation — which awards grants to artists in residency programs at museums and galleries around the U.S. — as well as to the American Cancer Society.

He contributed some special one-of-a-kind items such as a plaque from NASA thanking him "for inspiring a generation of scientists and explorers." That sold for $3100. Another plaque presented to him by Paramount on the occasion of Star Trek's 25th anniversary in 1991 went for $1500. An original piece of artwork — a caricature of Nimoy tethered to the Enterprise — created by his hometown newspaper, the Boston Globe, to accompany an interview with him in the late '60s went to a lucky bidder for $1700.

Nimoy brought several items signed by both himself and William Shatner, such as books and rare photos. One was a copy of Nimoy's book "I Am Spock," and on the inside cover Shatner inscribed: "I thought he wrote 'I Am Not Spock' — wish he'd make up his mind!" In another, a collection of Nimoy's poetry titled "A Lifetime of Love," Shatner was less glib, writing, "And I've loved him for a lifetime - Wm. Shatner." Those books brought in about $600 each.

All told, Nimoy raised more than $14,000 for the two charities in slightly more than half an hour (not counting autographs).