Lee's LOTR props up for auction

Sir Christopher Lee played Saruman the White in the Lord Of The Rings films

The clapper board showing Sir Christopher Lee's last Lord Of The Rings scene is being displayed at Bonham's in London

An employee poses with Saruman's staff as Lord of the Rings items from Sir Christopher Lee's collection are displayed at Bonham's in London

thumbnail: Sir Christopher Lee played Saruman the White in the Lord Of The Rings films
thumbnail: The clapper board showing Sir Christopher Lee's last Lord Of The Rings scene is being displayed at Bonham's in London
thumbnail: An employee poses with Saruman's staff as Lord of the Rings items from Sir Christopher Lee's collection are displayed at Bonham's in London

Sir Christopher Lee is offering props from the Lord Of The Rings films up for auction.

Items from the 92-year-old actor's treasured personal collection, including Saruman the White's staff and Aragorn's sword, are expected to fetch up to £255,000 when they go under the hammer at Bonhams in New York later this year.

Sir Christopher, who played wizard Saruman in Peter Jackson's movie series, said: "Since production finished on the set of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, I've treasured these important pieces of film history in my private collection.

"More than a decade has passed and I feel it is now time that someone else is able to enjoy their magic," the actor added.

Bidding on the metal wizard's staff, used by the actor during filming, is expected to reach an estimated 150,000 US dollars (£93,750), while Aragorn's steel weapon Anduril, made specially for actor Viggo Mortensen, could hit up to 250,000 US dollars (£156,250).

The clapper board, which wrapped Sir Christopher's last scene in the third and final film The Return Of The King, is also among the offered lots. It is estimated to sell for around 8,000 US dollars (£5,000).

Katherine Schofield from Bonhams said: "We've never sold anything directly from Lord Of The Rings before so we're very excited to have these pieces from such a key cast member. We're expecting there to be huge interest... Items of this nature and calibre haven't been seen at Bonhams before."

Film fans can check out the props, which will be displayed at Bonhams Knightsbridge until August 4, before they are flown to New York.

The No Place Like Hollywood auction including movie memorabilia from Casablanca, The Wizard Of Oz and Gone With The Wind, in conjunction with Turner Classic Movies, takes place on November 24.