Doctor Who

An original segment of the Key to Time used in the production of the long running BBC television series Doctor Who.

From the 1978 serial The Armageddon Factor starring Tom Baker as The Doctor which was the final serial of six to detail the quest to recover six segments of a perfect cube which are scattered in various points of space and time, this is the final segment used to complete the Key. The story idea was conceived by series producer Graham Williams and ran for six serials spanning the whole of season 16 throughout 1978.

The Key to Time prop was first constructed by BBC Visual Effects Department designer Dave Havard in wood then cast in silicone rubber and finally cast in a multiple layers of clear resin fitting together in six sections to form a cube. Despite this being the sixth and final segment of the Key to Time this particular piece also formed part of the complete cube which is seen spinning at the beginning of The Ribos Operation which was stuck together with tape and flown on heavy duty fishing line. This represents an incredibly rare example of a Key to Time segment which can be guaranteed 100% screen used and authentic, following filming the complete key was on display for a number of years in the Doctor Who production office, this is referenced by the final images.

The segment measures approximately 6" x 5.75" and stands 3" high, it retains some tape residue to its surface where it was stuck together for use during filming and has a some minor chips to the edges but it remains in generally excellent screen used condition.

A highly displayable and desirable artefact from this long running science fiction series.