Fancy buying Dr Who's Tardis for £1,000?

Our antiques expert Allan Blackburn takes a look at Dr Who memorabilia
These Doctor Who annuals accompanied the BBC series. They cost a fiver eachThese Doctor Who annuals accompanied the BBC series. They cost a fiver each
These Doctor Who annuals accompanied the BBC series. They cost a fiver each

Last week, I talked about books and, with that still fresh in my mind, when this series of BBC books came into the centre, I thought they deserved a mention. They live on the comic and annual stall and amongst the Beanos, Dandys and Ranger comics lie a fantastic selection of sci fi magazines.

Science fiction represents one of the fastest growing collectable markets, but collecting sci-fi memorabilia is a rather recent pastime. Programmes like Star Trek, Star Wars and Doctor Who have developed cult status, attracting a young adult audience with a high disposable income. We have lots of Doctor Who memorabilia on this stall including videos, annuals and these books, which are on sale for £3.50 each.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doctor Who is the world’s longest-running science fiction television programme, having initially aired on the BBC from 1963 to 1989, generating a movie revival in 1996, and finally returning as a regular fixture to our screens from 2005 to today.

Chronicling the escapades of 12 Doctors and more than 35 companions against

numerous foes (human, alien and otherwise) throughout space and time, Doctor Who remains the best example of the sci-fi genre.

It was in the second series that The Daleks made their first appearance. During their reign, ratings shot up from four million to ten-and-a-half million. This was almost three million viewers more than any show had ever achieved in that timeslot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The earliest example of Doctor Who merchandise is in fact a blue police box that was made by Dinky back in the mid-1930s to match their range of miniature cars. These police boxes are now highly collectable amongst Dr Who fans, even though they hit the shops before British television, Doctor Who or his

Tardis had begun.

Even a Tardis from the 1970s is highly-prized and, if you have one boxed and in mint condition, it could obtain as much as £1,000! In actual fact, this shows how merchandising and promotions have boomed nowadays, but even 30 - 40 years ago, it was of an extraordinary scale.

It is worthwhile remembering that the rarer the item the better. Mint items with their packaging intact are best of all. A lifesize Dalek from the 1960s could easily earn you £5,000 and even boxed toys can now sell for over £100.