Exterminate the competition: chance to bid on a Dalek and TARDIS at Scarborough auction house
A Dalek who warned villagers to stay inside during the pandemic - and a TARDIS – are to go under the hammer in an auction at David Duggleby’s in Scarborough.
Viper (all Daleks have names) was a star attraction at countless Sci-Fi conventions and shows around the country mingling with the crowds, with a licence to take the Mickey out of anyone and everyone.
Viper arrived on planet Earth seven years ago in the Robin Hood’s Bay workshop of cabinetmaker Danny Norwell.
It was Danny’s second Dalek.
The first went internationally viral when it was filmed trundling through the streets of Bay, warning people to stay indoors during the Covid crisis.
However Viper was his masterpiece - a bright red full-size Dalek that has been described as superior even to those that appeared on television.
They were just empty fibreglass props, manually moved around the studio floor.
Viper has an aluminium and wooden body, is sit in, self-propelled thanks to a battery powered electric motor, is equipped with sound and lighting systems - and has a changer that translates the voice into Dalek.
Now 73 and retired, Danny has decided to hand on the effort to exterminate humanity.
He said: “I’ve really enjoyed Viper.
"We’ve been invited to conventions, expos and shows all over the country to drive around among the crowd and take the Mickey out of everyone.
"It is amazing what a Dalek can say and get away with.
"People love the banter.”
Danny has also entered his TARDIS in the Sci-Fi & Fantasy auction on Thursday July 23 – this is a full-scale replica that he designed to be easily dismantled for transportation in his Ford Galaxy car and rebuilt within minutes on arrival at conventions.
It was most recently on stage at Sci-Fi Scarborough.
Duggleby valuer Chloe McKenna said: “It was quite something to take a telephone call from someone enquiring if we’d like to auction a famous Dalek or a Time Lord’s TARDIS.
"Yes was the immediate answer!
"It has been very exciting and great fun to have them in the saleroom.”
“Viper has been guarding the entrance to the saleroom since he/it arrived.
"The public reaction has been priceless.
"Meanwhile the TARDIS landed amid antique furniture and other treasures in the saleroom.
"Very few visitors have been able to resist taking a peek inside.”
Chloe added: “The quality and condition of both is terrific.
"They are in full working order and ready to carry on creating mayhem and merriment at shows and events - which is what Danny is hoping will happen when they pass into new hands.”
Asked about value, she said: “The TARDIS - which has been autographed by various Doctor Who cast members including Sylvester McCoy, Frazer Hines, Wendy Padbury, Janet Fielding and Carol Ann Ford - has a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£2,000.
"So too does Viper, although in his case no-one would be surprised if that forecast was exterminated!”
Thursday afternoon’s Sci-Fi & Fantasy sale is an online automatic auction that starts at 1pm.
The 137 lots range across toys, books and artwork including a limited edition United Cutlery Lord of the Rings Gauntlet of Sauron that is expected to make £400 to £600.
And that auction is followed at 3pm by The Comic Book Collection auction, a spectacular one-owner collection that includes issue 1 of Marvel’s 1968 The Invincible Iron Man, expected to make £100-£200 and issue 1 of Marvel’s 1975 Giant-Size X-Men – a very rare comic that could make £300-£500.
The sale catalogues are available on davidduggleby.com website.
Viewing sessions are taking place throughout the week at the Vine Street Saleroom in Scarborough including Thursday from 9am until the start of the auctions.