How to find Dr Who toys that will soar in value The Cybermen are one of the Doctor's most persistent enemies Stephen Griffiths, a lecturer in film, television and radio studies at Staffordshire University, said: "The most collectable items are from the late Sixties, when 'Dalek-mania' took off." It is the Daleks that have appeared on screen that fetch the best prices; replicas or toy Daleks don't get anywhere near these prices although there still is a market for these items. You may not have the room, or the inclination, to house a life-size Dalek but there are many other Doctor Who items that have risen in value in recent years. Mr Griffiths said "screen presence" was key. Items associated with the original series, be it props, costumes, scripts or even costume designs, are the most collectable. He added that Tom Baker appeared to be the most "collectable" doctor, although items associated with the three earlier doctors - William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee - also fetched a good price. Items associated with particular episodes that were favourites of fans and critics can attract sizeable sums. A headpiece worn by a character (Sharaz Jek) in Peter Davison's final episode, The Caves of Androzani, recently sold for almost £5,000 at auction, despite having an estimated sale price of between £600 and £800. Of course, you need to be a true Whovian (or trawl the websites and fanzines dedicated to the show) to know which episodes are likely to have this additional kudos. Alexandra Looseley-Saul started collecting Doctor Who memorabilia in the early Eighties, and now runs The Who Shop in West Ham, London. She said you rarely saw the same items being sold more than once. Most were originally owned by production staff before being sold to fans and collectors. People who buy them tend to hang onto them. They want a piece of the series and they are in no rush to sell. She said prices had been boosted by the show's return, and the fact that there were serious collectors both here and in America. In 2010 Bonhams held a dedicated Doctor Who auction which included a number of lots associated with more recent series, plus the Torchwood and Sarah Jane spin-offs. Ms Connell said: "We sold one of David Tennant's costumes for £5,000, while a suit worn by Matt Smith in an episode screened the previous year sold for £2,625." Are people buying these items now hoping to see the same kind of appreciation in value that has happened to props from the Hartnell and Baker years? Ms Connell said it was difficult to tell. She said most items were bought by fans who wanted to own a piece of the show, rather than make money from it. There are now far more of these items available, which may be a brake on future price rises. Many of the Doctor Who items that are due to appear in Bonhams' latest entertainment auction, which will be held on December 18, are being sold by the BBC, which appears to have finally realised the value of items associated with the show. Ms Connell added: "There is now an established market for sci-fi memorabilia. Doctor Who props and costumes may not fetch the huge sums that we see with some key Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia but it is a show that has wide appeal. We have eight-year-olds and 80-year-olds looking around the auction house when we have Doctor Who sales. Whether you are buying from an auction house, a specialist shop or a private buyer, two factors are key: provenance and condition. Alexandra Looseley-Saul, who runs The Who Shop, said: "If you can verify that an item appeared on screen, then this is likely to appeal to collectors. If it was worn or connected to one of the main actors or assistants, this will add to its value.  She added that Tom Baker "shines head and shoulders above the rest." But Stephen Griffiths, a lecturer in film studies, pointed out that some collectors focused on one particular doctor or era. People need to check such verification carefully, though. William Hartnell signatures are particularly sought after, especially on BBC postcards. But a lot of fakes exist, as his wife, Heather, used to "sign" on his behalf later in his life. Similarly, rarity has pushed up the price of autographs by Roger Delgado, the first actor to play the Master, who died in a car crash in Turkey in 1973, at the height of his popularity. Verified autographs can fetch between £800 and £1,000. As well as props from the series, toys and merchandise from the Sixties and Seventies also have some value to collectors, provided that they are in mint condition. As with other toys, those that are in original boxes command a higher value. Mr Griffiths said: "The BBC didn't realise the series' marketing potential at first, so only a relatively limited number of items were produced." He added that a Scorpion Automotives 1964 blue dalek playsuit, for example, in its original TARDIS box would be worth around £5,000 today. The factory that was manufacturing them burnt down, so few made it into the shops. Similarly, a Seventies Denys Fisher Tom Baker-era action figure, with Leela (the Doctor's savage assistant, played by Louise Jameson), would be worth between £400 and £500 today, if still in its box. But don't expect anything with a Dr Who logo to make money. Mr Griffiths said: "It's best to stay clear of toys or merchandise that has been mass produced in recent times. Many fans are collecting these, and keeping them in good condition, so it is unlikely they will appreciate in value. Ms Looseley-Saul added: "We sell a lot of what I would call pocket money stuff for the kids. They like to buy it but it is unlikely to be collectable in future. However, there is a market for high-quality items where only a very limited number are produced. She said she recently bought a limited edition sonic screwdriver for $200 (£125) in the US, which she says buyers are already offering to buy for $500. Dr Who items at auction  Dalek Supreme: £36,000 (from Destiny of the Daleks, 1979, and Revelation of the Daleks, 1984)  Cyberman costume: £9,600 (featured in two episodes in the Eighties)  Captain Jack's (Torchwood) Range Rover: £18,000  Auton head mask: £5,145 (from Terror of the Autons, 1971)  Scorpion Automotives 1964 blue dalek playsuit: £5,000  David Tennant suit: £5,040 (worn in Christmas special)  Waitress outfit worn by Kylie Minogue: £3,120  The Malus head mask: £,3000 (from Eighties episode The Awakening)  Magma Beast costume: £1,560 (1984)  Kroll costumes: £780 (1978)  Sea Devil costume: £2,040 (1984) What to look out for when buying memorabilia Mr Griffiths said: "The BBC didn't realise the series" marketing potential at first, so only a relatively limited number of items were produced."