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 | | Wednesday, 13 March, 2002, 10:08 GMT Movie props go under the hammer  A novelty skull from Never Say Never Again is for sale Film props that have played a starring role in some of the world's best known films are going under the hammer. The props are expected to raise more than �1m ($1.4m) at Sotheby's auction house, in London. More than 1,500 lots used in blockbusters including Titanic, Gladiator and the James Bond films Octopussy and You Only Live Twice are among the lots. Items include a large globe featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a Venetian figure used in Billy Elliot and a coffin, complete with real skeleton, used in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The artefacts come from the business built up by the late Hampstead antiques dealer Ken Paul, who loaned his stock to filmmakers.
The first film Mr Paul supplied with props was the Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger historical romance The Elusive Pimpernel, which was made in 1950 and starred David Niven. He also furnished television dramas Robin Hood, William Tell and The Avengers with props Mr Paul's daughter, Christine, took over the business when he died, in 1989, but she has now decided to retire. She said: "Although we have decided to close the shop, the films that we have supplied with props will stand as a lasting legacy to the house of Ken Paul. 'Invaluable' "Our hope is that all of these wonderful props will find equally good homes, and that the sale itself will be a fitting tribute to my father." Oscar-winning set designer Peter Young, who sourced pieces from Ken Paul's collection for films including Sleepy Hollow and The Mummy, said the shop's treasures had been "invaluable" over the years. Having such a range of items under one roof had saved time and effort on many a tight filming schedule, he said. | | See also:  Top Film stories now:  Links to more Film stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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