Grandfather’s forgotten movie memorabilia collection including Star Wars and Indiana Jones props shocks Antiques Roadshow with six-figure valuation

What if the items you casually saved from the trash turned out to be worth a fortune?

That’s exactly what happened to Ron, a former Elstree Studios worker, when he brought his collection of film props to Antiques Roadshow.

He had no idea that what he once rescued from a skip would later be valued at an astonishing £300,000.

The Iconic Memorabilia

Ron’s collection included some of the most recognizable props in movie history.

He presented a Darth Vader helmet from Star Wars, an axe from The Shining, and a medallion from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

These weren’t just ordinary collectibles—they were pieces of cinematic history that had been used on set.

The Axe That Couldn’t Be Used Again

One of the most chilling props in Ron’s collection was the axe from The Shining.

He shared the story of how it became his: after spending 14 months working on the film, he saw the axe get stuck in a door during filming.

When it was pulled out, the damage rendered it unusable, so Ron planned to create a fiberglass replica.

However, when the film wrapped, he decided to keep the original.

The Darth Vader Helmet Rescue

The Darth Vader mask in Ron’s possession had an equally fascinating backstory.

Originally, he was tasked with refurbishing it, but while waiting for the accompanying helmet, the film’s cleanup crew started discarding props.

Rather than letting history be tossed away, Ron stepped in and saved the mask from the skip.

A Medallion Meant to Be Kept

The Indiana Jones medallion came into Ron’s hands in a more direct way—after filming, he was simply told to “look after it.”

And that’s exactly what he did, not realizing that he was holding onto something incredibly valuable.

The Shocking Valuation

Antiques expert Jon Baddeley stunned Ron when he placed a jaw-dropping value on the collection.

The medallion was estimated at £60,000 to £100,000, the axe at £40,000 to £60,000, and the Darth Vader mask at a staggering £150,000 to £200,000.

When Jon totaled the figures, Ron’s expression said it all.

His simple yet amused reaction? “Quite nice.”

Another Unexpected Discovery

Ron’s story wasn’t the only surprise on Antiques Roadshow.

In another episode, a woman casually brought in two Delftware plates inside her handbag, completely unaware of their rarity.

The blue and yellow plates, featuring King James II and a Chinese figure, had been hanging in her hallway for years.

From Hallway Decor to Auction Sensation

Ceramic expert John Sandon called the plates “as rare as you can get,” and the valuation left the owner in tears.

The cracked plate sold for £12,600, while the other fetched £7,560 at an auction in Wiltshire.

What was once just family decor turned into a windfall of over £20,000.

The Magic of Antiques Roadshow

Whether it’s forgotten film props or decorative plates passed down through generations, Antiques Roadshow continues to reveal the hidden treasures in ordinary homes.

Catch the show every Sunday on BBC One or stream it on iPlayer—you never know what surprise valuation might come next!

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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