Antiques Roadshow fans were left gobsmacked as an old movie clapperboard received an eye-watering valuation on the programme.
The US version of the show, aired on PBS, saw a guest turn up with a director’s clapper from the 1975 horror hit Jaws, which was used by Steven Spielberg.
Speaking to expert James Supp at Wadsworth Mansion, the guest explained that her dad worked in transportation on the movie, helping to drive around pieces of the set, as well as cast and crew.
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“He was friendly with the camera crew and one of them gave [the clapper] to him,” she explained.
(Image: PBS)
She also included a snap of her dad posing with a life-sized shark from the movie, explaining: “He lived on Martha’s Vineyard for the production of the movie. He was a single guy, living with a bunch of friends, and they had a blast.
“They used to fly the film over to Boston every day and they would send out for Chinese food or whatever food they couldn’t get on the island that they were craving. They were living it up.”
James said: “Jaws ushered in the era of summer blockbusters – and it was the movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map.”
(Image: PBS)
But her artefact was no ordinary clapperboard. To fit in with the theme of the film, it was spring-loaded and featured white triangles at the top, ready to open and close just like the jaws of a shark would.
“This type of clapperboard was known to have been made for Jaws, a couple of different versions, but they are exceedingly rare,” the expert elaborated.
“It was estimated between four and six were made.”
(Image: PBS)
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Worried that the clapperboard could simply have been copied, James was grateful that the guest had photo evidence to back up her dad’s story.
And eventually, he explained: “The pictures don’t add immense financial value… But the jaws closing action, it’s worth quite a bit to collectors.
“If this were to come up at auction, I’d put an auction estimate on it of $25,000 to $35,000 on this.”
Shell-shocked, the guest simply uttered: “That’s awesome.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
