Friday 23 November 2012

Ultimate Six Frock Coat -
how far have I got?

I’m at an exciting stage of my fabric gathering on my Ultimate Six Frock Coat, so I thought I’d just have a recap of how far I’ve got.
Fabrics
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
10, 11, 12, 14

As you can see, my painting by numbers is coming along very nicely, with all the solid colours sourced; the cuff fabric sorted out ages back; the hand-woven collar done; and the AMAZING lining done to perfection.

So what does that leave?
Just THREE fabrics and I’m there - at last!

Fabric 1 Red Tartan
This is currently being woven by a renowned Scottish tartan mill. When it is done, it is going to carefully finished to give it a slightly vintage feel, so it doesn’t look like it has been woven yesterday, which of course it will have been!

Fabric 9 Woven Back
As you will have seen in my previous posting, the yarns have been lovely selected, and the fabric is being woven as I write. I have seen a preview of it on the loom, and it looks brilliant!


Fabric 13 Applique Strip
I have sourced the raw materials needed for this, and need to sit down and work it all out and actually make it. Bit fiddly, but nothing that can’t be made.
With all this progress I am now itching to make a start and crack on with the project.
It’s been over two years in the preparation, but it’s gonna be worth it.
After all it’s gonna be the ULTIMATE Six Frock Coat!

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Bonhams auction - 12th December 2012

It’s nearly December, and that means yet another Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale.

As usual Doctor Who gets a look in, with a range of eras represented, including a stunningly colourful poster for the second Peter Cushing Dalek film, Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD.

But the main items on offer cover the now finished spin-off series, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures. Since both these series had the bulk of their runs alongside the Tennant era, I have listed them in my Coat blog.

Here is the only item from the Colin Baker era.


As usual I have separated the items by Doctor era, and you can see the rest of the items here:

Here are just the lots relating to the Sixth Doctor era

Lot 118
Daleks Invasion Earth 2150, British Lion Films, 1966, British ABC Cinema quad poster, with overlaid snipe for 'Indian Paint', 30 x 40 inches (76x102cm)
Estimate: £500 - 700
Sold for £625

Lot 145
Doctor Who - Revelation Of The Daleks: Autographed scripts for Episodes I and II, 1985, each with first page signed in black marker by Colin Baker, with statement of provenance
Estimate: £500 - 600
Unsold!

Footnotes
According to information from the vendor, these were signed at 'Collectormania' June 2012. They were originally acquired from the Marvel Comics' 'Doctor Who Magazine' offices during relocation in 1996.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Ultimate Six Frock Coat - sneak preview

Today I was sent a sneak preview of something being worked on for my Six Frock Coat.

Now I know what it is and got very excited when I saw it.
If you can work it out, I hope you are excited too!


Answers on a postcard - or post as a comment below!

Saturday 10 November 2012

Original 6th Doctor items on eBay -
November 2012

Over the past couple of weeks there has been a small flurry of original Doctor Who Props and costumes for sale on eBay. It’s been like a mini Bonhams auction!

Here’s what’s been on offer for Sixth Doctor fans.


Sixth doctor costume
red watch chain (NOT screen worn)
SOLD FOR £269.99

Original Doctor Who prop - Sixth doctor costume watch chain - from JNT!!! - one of a kind

With Certificate of Authenticity

This is an unbelievable piece for all Dr Who fans.

Any props from the original series of Dr Who are rare, but a piece of the doctor's costume is astounding!

This is an original dr who production watch chain for Colin Bakers season 23 "Trial of a Timelord".

This watch chain came from the personal collection of John Nathan turner and was kept in a box of small hand props he had which included items such as the Tardis Key and Doctor's Calling Card that were acquired at auction.

The Chain was not used in the “Trial of a Timelord” as a different style was decided on in the end with a slightly thicker link, however it was used by Colin at various public appearances as the 'Doctor' during this time and can be seen in publicity shots from the era.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is brought to you with no reserve.

The piece is presented in a 3D display box frame and comes with a certifcate of authenticity from the doctor who prop experts from whom I bought it.


Mindwarp
Sil Ticker Tape
SOLD FOR £55.66

This auction is for a genuine cutting of ticker tape taken from the adding machine used by Sil in Trial of a Timelord. This prop was later owned by Steve Cambden (Assistant Operator for K-9).

The ticker tape machine was made by George Read to the design specification drawn up by Peter Wragg.

The certificate which the ticker tape is attached to is signed by Steve as a guarantee of provenance. It has been removed from its frame (A4 size) to reduce the cost of posting to the auction winner.


Nightmare Fare
Original Typed Script
SOLD FOR £265

This is the original script for the abandoned Doctor Who adventure 'Nightmare Fare' by former producer Graham Williams.

There are several handwritten notes by Script Editor Eric Saward throughout the script - most notably a large 'Can we discuss?' on Episode Two!

I obtained this piece directly from the private collection of someone working in the Production Office at the time.

THIS ISN'T A PHOTOCOPY - GRAHAM WILLIAMS HAMMERED THIS OUT ON AN OLD TYPEWRITER! (And Eric Saward scribbled on it with biro!)

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Ultimate Six Frock Coat - Green braid

As my collection of fabrics for my Ultimate Six Frock Coat nears their completion, here’s one other ‘fabric’ I have already sourced.

The outer pocket flaps are made from the same checked fabric as the collar, lined with the Lining: Impossible!
They are then edged with a woven braid.

Not much is needed, but it has to be right. I didn’t want to overlook or forget about it, hence I allocated a fabric number to it - Fabric 12 (green braid).
Fabric 12

At the time of making the original coats back in the mid 1980s, braids and trimmings seemed to be more widely available, with manufacturers in the UK as well as across Europe. I can remember when half the ground floor of John Lewis on Oxford Street was given over to fabrics and haberdashery, a time long gone over to menswear and clothing. Over the years cheaper suppliers in the Far East have progressively dominated the market, pushing the old makers out.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have been chatting to managers of the fabric shops I frequent, for them to tell me this supplier has ceased trading, or that button manufacturer has gone out of business.
And some of these are new items, such as the buttons on Matt Smith's greatcoat. I found the source and the makers who were in France, but they have gone out of business and that stream is now dry.

So although on the face of it it’s a straightforward braid to find, getting it in-hand has been a bit of a journey.

The stocks on offer at most fabric houses is now very limited, with only one or two colour choices on offer - commonly black, navy or brown. Not even a white that could be dyed - and certainly not a green.

My only option has been to track down a UK distributor for this type of braid, who can source it in a decent range of colours in a variety of widths.

I shan't reveal my provider, but earlier this summer I finally tracked one down - my only problem was two-fold. Firstly the minimum quantity I had to purchase, but given it was the right stuff I had to suck it up; and secondly the delivery time, which had been buggered cos it was made in Italy, and the fabric mills there close in the summer for an extended one or two month holiday! It’s alright for some.

After having it on order for well over two months it arrived with impeccable timing this week - lucky as until now I didn’t actually need to have it ready . . .

Sunday 4 November 2012

Ultimate Six Frock Coat -
the day has arrived

I wickedly teased you last week with a row of coloured cottons in the key hues of the Six Frock Coat, saying this could only mean one thing.






Well, it is what you probably thought it was, and I’ve started using them - at last.

And just to tantalise and tease you even more, here is a picture of some waste fabric - taken after my first day cutting cloth on my Six Frock Coat!

Can you guess what it is yet?