Fifth Doctor Frock Coat - recut

As the latter half of series seven has proved, the Frock Coat is still very much part of The Doctor’s wardrobe.

You'll have no doubt seen that I made myself my own replica using THE incredibly expensive cashmere from W Bills.

I wanted to do the best job I could, especially using such a special cloth.
The pattern I have for a basic Frock Coat is an adaption based on the Laughing Moon design, which frankly wasn't up to scratch for making the coat I wanted.

I therefore went back to basics with a clean sheet and drafted my own pattern using a vintage book dating from the Edwardian period when these coats were at their most popular.


I was very pleased with the result and found it to be a lovely fit and draped well.

So when I came to make my next commission for a Fifth Doctor Frock Coat I quickly realised it was time to retire my old pattern and adopt my latest incarnation of this design classic.

The basic cut is essentially the same - I have to change very little when it comes the the bulk of the body to the coat. All I need to do is add the waistline pockets (the Matt Smith variant has no such pockets, opting for a lone breast pocket instead) and the change the cut of the lapels and collar.

The gorge of the collar and lapels is a lot lower; the lapels themselves are much wider, being something of a hang over from the 1970s; and the collar has a bit more shape to it as it comes towards the corners.

The sleeves are from my basic sleeve block which I use on a lot of garments. You find that once you have a good sleeve block you stick with it unless the design is radically different, demanding a bespoke pattern.


The sleeve doesn't need the button-vented cuff of the Matt Smith version, and since I'm familiar with how the length works, it's easy for me to get the piping band at just the right level from the get go.


The back and side panels are a straight lift from my pattern, and the skirt remains largely unchanged, but is cut a fraction longer to just above the knee. My pattern always allowed for this anyway.

Doing an exercise like this makes you understand and appreciate how a simple change to the style-lines on a garment can make all the difference, and how underneath a lot of apparently different costumes share the same DNA.

If you want to commission a
Fifth Doctor Frock coat, get in touch

You can email me at tennantcoat@me.com 
and I can send you full details.

The Doctor’s braces - back in stock!

After a prolonged time of being out of stock, I finally received a heavy box this week containing my new supply of Fifth and Sixth Doctor braces.

It’s been a frustrating wait, as I had sold my final set over a year ago, since when I have been without any for myself, let alone for sale!

Still, they are here now and if you want to get yourself a set, get in touch!

The braces are made from non-elastic cotton wadding, with cast metal clips on the ends with leather button-on connectors.

This is exactly how the original braces were.

The question marks are, just like the real thing, embroidered on with some of them upside down and mirrored.

The braces come in one size, and are adjustable to fit.

If you want to get you hands on a set of these fantastic braces, they are priced at GB£75 each.

UK shipping: £5
Global shipping: £15

Email me at tennantcoat@me.com 
and I can send you full details.

Great alternative cricket jumper!

When it comes to The Doctor’s costumes there are two routes you can take to replicating his look: either go all out and spend a fortune matching fabrics and patterns (ok, guilty as charged); OR you can find yourself a next-best alternative that blocks in the basic shapes and colours you need.

At the moment, UK high street retailer Marks & Spencer has a great alternative to the season 21 cricket jumper.

It’s not perfect - but it definitely does the job if you are looking for a quick and medium priced time for your Fifth Doctor wardrobe.

Cable Knit Cricket Jumper | M&S

PLEASE NOTE: I cannot link directly to the version you need to buy - click on there Cream Mix option once on the website 

The jumper has just the right style of cable knit and the black and red trim is a darn good ringer for the screen-worn version.
Ok, so it has one red stripe instead of two, but you got to admit it’s not bad for an off-the-shelf cosplay item!

Original 5th Doctor items on eBay - Dalek trooper special

If you’ve always wanted to dress as a Dalek Trooper from Resurrection Of The Daleks, now seems to be the time to live your dream!

Resurrection of the Daleks
Dalek trooper suit

SOLD FOR £311.23

Here is an item I bought in the early 1990s from Stuart Evans, producer of the OOP Sevans Models kits.

I think it’s an original screen-used costume but I can’t be 100% certain.

Interestingly, a couple of years after I had it, I found a note in one of the chest pockets stating ‘Jeff ring Maria in Make Up ASAP’.

I’ve always meant to check out the credits of Remembrance of the Daleks to see if this corresponds but I never have.

There is also ‘Geoff’ (different spelling) written on the inside of the costume.

I don’t think the gloves are original (they’ve begun to deteriorate so I’m providing a second set) and the waist webbing was added by Stuart.

You will receive:- Dalek Trooper suit/overall-grey webbing-two pairs of black rubber gloves-correspondence letters.

Original 5th Doctor items on eBay - Cyberman special

Here’s some Cybermen related items I spotted on eBay.

Earthshock & The Five Doctors Screen Used Doctor Who Cyberman Suit

Here is your opportunity to own a rare piece of TV History.

This Cyberman suit was used in Earthshock & The Five Doctors.
The name written in the back of the suit is Wayne. Jeff Wayne was a cyber extra in Earthshock.

It has also been featured on This Morning as well as a BBC South East Doctor Who special & ITVs Daybreak & Meridian news.

Please see video from 'This Morning' below which includes the Bonhams evaluation.

Please note that the Suit & Boots are original but it will come with a reproduction Chest Unit & Head worth around £400 and all are mounted on a mannequin.

Although this is collection only, I may be able to arrange for independent delivery depending on the distance.

Feel free to email with any questions

Gallifrey One 2014 - Advanced Tailoring Techniques

Last year when I attend Gallifrey One in Los Angeles, I presented a solo panel in which I discussed and showed some of my more challenging tailoring projects.

Due to popular demand, I have been asked to do a similar panel again this year.
The premininary schedule is now out and I am down to present my panel at 4pm on Sunday 16th February 2014.

The main drive of what I shall be presenting will be British Tailoring and the art of the Frock Coat.

I have been making a lot of Frock Coats one way or another over the past 18 month so I’ve gain a lot of experience.

All of the coats have their roots in the classic Edwardian design despite their differing appearances.

I hope if you are coming to Gallifrey One you’ll come alone and join the audience - there will be Jammie Dodgers.....

If you can’t make it, or just want a good idea of what I’ll be talking about, here is a video of my panel from last year.
Enjoy.

If you a specific topic you’d like me to discuss at my panel, please mail me at tennantcoat@me.com 
with your suggestion.

Doctor Who Celebration - costume exhibition

This weekend’s Doctor Who Celebration has been a feast for the eyes for fans.

As well as catering for those who have come to Who through the relaunch series, there has been a good nod to the history of the show with a wide variety of guests and an extensive exhibition of costumes culled from Cardiff’s Doctor Who Experience.

They had a near complete set of Doctor’s costumes on show (missing was the Eighth and War Doctors) arranged in a circle around Bessie.

The Fifth Doctor costume on show was straight out of the Experience, though have to say that celery is pretty enormous!

Other Fifth Doctor item on display included a Tractator and uniform from Frontios.

Also a Sea Devil from Warriors Of The Deep alongside a costume repurposed from Blake’s 7.

There was also a Cyberman costume from their return in Earthshock.

Finally, there was an original Yeti from The Web Of Fear. Since I don’t have a Second Doctor blog I’m including it here, as it appeared in The Five Doctors.

If you want to see the costumes for the other Doctors at the exhibition, click the links below

Third Doctor           Fourth Doctor

Sixth Doctor         Seventh Doctor

Tenth Doctor        Eleventh Doctor

Bonhams auction - 18th December 2013

With December looming, it is time for another Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale!

The past few auctions have been Doctor Who lite when it comes to items, so there is no surprise that the first post-Anniversary is brimming with costumes and nick backs, dating back to 1968.

Bonhams sale 20772 (18th December 2013) Entertainment Memorabilia

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

Lots 172 - 181
2nd Doctor (1966-1969)

Lots 170 - 171
3rd Doctor (1970-1974)

Lots 127 - 150
Torchwood

Here are just the lots relating to the Fifth Doctor era

Lot 154
DOCTOR WHO: THE CAVES OF ANDROZANI - AN ORIGINAL SHARAZ JEK HEAD COWL, leather on card, slit to back, with elasticated piece to neck, punched holes to sides, labelled to interior 'Steven Gregory, 12 Mundania Road, London, SE22 0NG, Tel: 01-693 7605', together with a reproduction image featuring the piece, height 12 inches (30cm)




FOOTNOTES
For the matching original headpiece sold for £4,800, see lot 111, Doctor Who: The Auction, Bonhams Knightsbridge, 24 February 2010.

Estimate £700 - 900
Sold for £1,000

Lot 155
DOCTOR WHO: PLANET OF FEAR - A COLLECTION OF SCRIPTS

a file containing revised story order and rehearsal scripts for Episodes 2-4, 1983, all annotated and as used in the Gallery, with cast breakdown and other production details, some water damage
FOOTNOTES
Broadcast in March 1984.
Provenance: Fiona Cumming, Director of the serial.

Estimate £200 - 300
Sold for £325

Lot 156
DOCTOR WHO: SNAKEDANCE - SCRIPTS AND RELATED MATERIAL

comprising: a file with annotated camera scripts for Episodes 1-4, with Cast Breakdown and other production details; together with a Mr. Punch prop head, as made by Barry Smith for the Punch & Judy sequence in Episode 3; and a Doctor Who Handbook, circa 1983
FOOTNOTES
Broadcast in January 1983.
Provenance: Fiona Cumming, Director of the serial.

Estimate £350 - 450
Sold for £812

Lot 160
DOCTOR WHO: CASTROVALVA - SCRIPTS AND OTHER MATERIAL

Episodes 1-3, a file with camera and dubbing scripts (six in all), Story Order and other production details, with annotations, September/October 1981; together with a Doctor Who Handbook, Issue Date March '81, with character/cast and general production details
FOOTNOTES
Broadcast in January 1982, this was the first full serial to feature Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor.
Provenance: Fiona Cumming, Director of the serial.

Estimate £300 - 400
Sold for £350

Radio Times - 50th anniversary issue covers

The 50th Anniversary week is almost here, and as expected the cover of the latest Radio Times features The Doctor - not just once, but TWLEVE times!

The sources of the images used are quite interesting, the majority of which are from the Radio Times own extensive archive of Doctor Who images. All are out-takes, so are being published for the first time.

The First and Second Doctors come from the 10th Anniversary Special published by the Radio Times in 1973. The Third Doctor comes from a photoshoot in 1970 for the launch of Jon Pertwee in the role.

The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors are pictured from the shoot for the 30th Anniversary special, which featured in the 1993 Children In Need.

This shows that they were all taken separately before being composited into the group on the cover.

The rest of the Doctors come from bespoke cover shoots done for the Radio Times in more recent years. For example the Ninth Doctor is from the gatefold cover which launched the new series in 2005; and the Tenth from The Next Doctor in 2008. The Eleventh and War Doctors are obviously newly taken.

Here’s the full size version of the Fifth Doctor’s cover.

Finally, have you noticed that all 12 covers join together to form a long single image?

Original 5th Doctor items on eBay - November 2013

The first item on eBay this month is a pair of armour pieces from Snakedance.

These are very similar to a set sold back in February.

Snakedance
Guard Armour

Original guard armour from the 1983 Doctor Who serial Snakedance starring Peter Davison as The Doctor.

These two armour pieces, see worn by the guards, are constructed from fibreglass with mosaic detailing and have been hand painted, two leather laces either side were used to keep the armour in place.

Cast in two sections and bonded together these were created specifically for this story by the BBC.

Each armour piece measures 5.5" x 4.5" and both are in excellent condition with some minor wear from production use.

Accompanied by a COA from thepropgallery.com

Caves of Androzani
Trooper uniform

SOLD FOR £1,176

Original trooper costume, jacket and trousers, as used and seen on screen from the 1984 Peter Davison story The Caves of Androzani voted the number one Doctor Who story of all time by the readers of Doctor Who Magazine.

Has been stored in wardrobe in a smoke free home.
Originally bought by myself at Doctor Who Convention Blue Box 2 in 1994.



In fantastic condition complete with original on location distressing.

Hand written inside jacket "Allen Talburt 44"" as shown in photo 3.
Happy to supply signed letter of authenticity.

What better Christmas present for the Whovian in your life as the Doctor celebrates his 50th year.

Any questions or request for more photos please email.
Will only send registered mail or collection in person.
Happy to send overseas, postage only a rough indicator happy to explore other methods of postage and will only charge cost.

On 06-Nov-13 at 21:31:50 GMT, seller added the following information:
Added 6/11/13 21:10

Additional photos added as requested, hand written in trousers "Alan Talburt 34W" (yes I know different spelling to jacket).

In answer to numerous emails I do not intend to put a buy it now price or to do a deal outside ebay, I intend to let the auction run its full duration.

I appreciate the interest in any other costumes or props I have, dependant on how this item goes I may list another item or 2 in my own time, if anyone would like the heads up on this send me your email and I'll let you know if I'm going to sell anything when I decide.

With regards to any proof of pedigree, I bought this at a Dr Who action nearly 20 years ago for cash, there were no receipts or auction catalogues, I believe that the auctioneer was John Nathan Turner (JNT) long standing producer of Dr Who along with David Roden who co-wrote the Dimensions in Time special in 1993, the convention was in May1994.
Hope this helps.