Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Doctor Who's time-travelling TARDIS materialises at Bonhams




As we've reported, Bonhams' Entertainment Memorabilia auction will feature previously unseen images of U2, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. But if you'd rather travel back in time to see them hitting the big time first hand, the auctioneer might be able to help there too.



The iconic blue 'Police Box' TARDIS used to transport the ninth Doctor Who (played by Christopher Eccleston - the current Doctor is Matt Smith, pictured) through various dimensions will be appearing in the London sale.



The TARDIS was created for the programme's triumphant return in 2005 and is expected to fetch £8,000-12,000. A more affordable miniature TARDIS model created for exhibition purposes and measuring 5ft high is also on offer, with an estimate of £300-400.



Unfortunately, it remains the same size on the inside.



Some of the oldest Doctor Who props ever to appear at auction will also go under the hammer. Daleks from the sci-fi programme always prove popular with bidders, and this sale includes two of the oldest examples to come to auction.

Lot 126 is believed to be the earliest surviving Dalek - it first appeared in 'Dr. Who And The Daleks', 1964 and 'The Chase', 1965 and is estimated at £2,000-3,000. Lot 128 featured in 'The Evil of the Daleks', 1967 and is also expected to fetch £2,000-3,000.



In recent auctions Daleks have tended to beat such low estimates. Representing the Doctor's second most famous adversary, a Cyberman helmet from 'Moonbase and The Tomb of the Cybermen', 1967 is also on offer with a guide price of £3,000-4,000.



Also for auction are 23 lots from the Mike Trim Collection - original concept design illustrations by Mike Trim for Gerry Anderson's sci-fi series. In 1965 Trim became a storyboard artist on 'Thunderbirds' and also contributed designs for secondary craft, vehicles and buildings.



He is most famous for illustrating the cover of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, and a book of his illustrations entitled The Future was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim was released in 2006.



The drawings on offer at Bonhams include vehicles and buildings from Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and UFO and their prices range from £500 to £1,500.



Stephanie Connell of Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Department comments, "Gerry Anderson shows and Doctor Who are both hugely important British institutions, and we are delighted to be offering such iconic items in this sale - they would be a fantastic purchase for any fan."



The sale takes place on June 23.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hubby says I can't have a Tardis *sniff* I may need extra tissues, anyone got any?

Fran said...

I do. 'hands in some tissues'
I always say that when I get my own house, I am going to build a TARDIS and put it in my back yard. Now that would be stellar. People would think I am Doctor Who obsessed. Oh wait, I am! :D

Anonymous said...

Thanks *sniff* maybe I'll forgive him though, when my copy of Casanova arrives.