Imagine walking into a popular TV show with a collection of old film props, only to find out they’re worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

That’s exactly what happened to Ron, a guest on Antiques Roadshow, when he brought in some of his prized film memorabilia for valuation.

These were no ordinary items, but iconic pieces saved from a skip during his time working at Elstree Studios.

The Memorable Items Ron Saved

Ron’s collection included a variety of film props, but the most jaw-dropping pieces were a Darth Vader helmet from Star Wars, an axe from The Shining, and a medallion from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

These were all items that Ron had acquired during his time working on the sets of these legendary films.

Little did he know, these props would turn out to be worth a small fortune.

The Story Behind the Props

As Ron explained to the show’s expert Jon Baddeley, the axe from The Shining was a prop he got his hands on after spending 14 months working on the film.

“It went right through the door and got caught on the other side,” Ron recalled.

“When they pulled it out, it damaged the edge, and it became loose, so it couldn’t be used again.”

At the time, Ron planned to make a fiberglass replica for the crew, but instead, he kept the original.

The Darth Vader mask came into his possession under similar circumstances.

“I was waiting for the helmet which is missing,” he explained.

“Everything was being thrown in the skip, so I said, ‘I’ll save that.’” Similarly, Ron was given the Indiana Jones medallion after the film wrapped up.

He kept the items safe over the years without realizing their true value.

The Shockingly High Valuation

When Jon Baddeley got his hands on the collection, he was stunned by the worth of the items.

The medallion was valued between £60,000 and £100,000, while the axe was estimated at £40,000 to £60,000. But it was the Darth Vader mask that really stole the show.

“The most iconic evil monster ever produced, arguably, Darth Vader,” Baddeley said.

“If it should come to auction, £150,000 to £200,000.

A quarter of a million, is that?” Ron was floored by the figure, exclaiming, “Quite nice.”

Another Unexpected Treasure

In a separate episode, Antiques Roadshow featured another surprise find, this time with two historic Delftware plates that had been carried in their owner’s handbag.

These rare 17th-century plates, depicting King James II and a Chinese figure, had been passed down through the family for years. The owner had no idea of their immense value.

Expert John Sandon was stunned by their rarity and estimated the plates to be worth more than £20,000.

One plate sold for £12,600, while the other fetched £7,560, including buyer’s premiums, at a recent auction.

The owner, visibly emotional, had no idea that these seemingly ordinary plates could fetch such a sum.

“They were said to be very valuable,” she recalled, “but no one else knew much about them.”

Tune In for More Surprising Discoveries

Whether it’s a film prop or a family heirloom, Antiques Roadshow continues to offer jaw-dropping moments for both its guests and viewers.

The show airs every Sunday on BBC One and is available for streaming on iPlayer. Who knows what other treasures might be hiding in plain sight?

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

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