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 Ribos Operation starring Tom Baker as The Doctor which was the first 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 first segment was found on the planet Ribos where it was disguised as a lump of Jethryk. 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 visual effects 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 forming a cube. This particular segment formed part of the cube which is seen spinning at the beginning of the first episode, this was stuck together with tape and flown on heavy duty fishing line and represents an incredibly rare example of a Key to Time segment which can be guaranteed 100% screen used and authentic. 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 5.5" and stands 3" high, the piece retains some tape residue to its surface where it was stuck together for use on screen and has a some minor chips to the edges but it remains in generally excellent screen used condition.

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