An Antiques Roadshow guest struggled to contain his emotions after expert Stephen Lane valued his collection of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade film props at approximately £150,000. The valuation took place during the latest episode of the BBC show, which visited Valentines Mansion in East London on Sunday, October 18.
Among the items brought in by locals were a collection of rare French buttons, a futuristic coffee set, and wrestling memorabilia. However, it was the remarkable props from the 1989 film, starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, that captured the specialist's attention.
Props from Shepperton Studios
The guest explained that he and his wife had spent 41 years making props at Shepperton Studios, including the Grail Diaries, the Grail cup, and the Cross of Coronado. He revealed that he had created two versions of the Grail, with the other one now owned by director Steven Spielberg.
Focusing on a prototype of the Holy Grail cup, the guest noted: "This one, in the film, they decorated with gold leaf inside and a few decorations on the outside. But we had to [make] a dozen or more... This one never got in [the film]."
Significant film props
Stephen Lane examined two versions of the Cross of Coronado, describing them as "really significant props" linked to the opening scene where young Indiana Jones, played by River Phoenix, delivers the line: "It belongs in a museum."
The specialist also praised the 60 pages from the Grail Diary, calling it "probably one of the most significant props in the film." He noted that several pages were photocopied and featured annotations, adding: "It drives the plot, it delivers clues, it creates mystery, and these are the original pages that created that diary."
Valuation and emotional tribute
Stephen's valuations left the audience stunned, with each cup estimated at £5,000 to £10,000, the Cross of Coronados at £3,000 to £6,000 each, and the Grail Diary pages at £2,000 per page. All told, the specialist suggested the collection could be worth around £150,000.
The guest became emotional while paying tribute to his wife, saying: "Can I just say, my wife and I did this for 41 years. 82 years between us, and without her, none of this would have happened. Unfortunately, she can't be here today, but thank you." Antiques Roadshow is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
