Recognise that clock in the center of the photo?

Yep, as seen in our favoutite movie, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the famous Skeleton in the Clock which has resided at Ken Paul's London props company for many years was up for auction at Sotherby's on Friday March 15, 2002.

Ruth posted a message to say the estimate on the clock was £10,000. Scroll the page down to see how much it made on the day

As their press release says:
"The ultimate conversation piece has to be the mystery clock in a full-sized inlaid mahogany coffin, dated c. 1900 - complete with real skeleton - used in the opening scenes of the Rocky Horror Picture Show The skeleton is rumoured to be the remains of the young Italian lover and secretary of the Countess of Rosslyn. After his death she couldn't bear to be separated from him, so she immortalised him in the clock and took him everywhere with her! Much better than being buried, don't you think?"

This is close to the story that we were aware of where a woman had her husbands skeleton put into the clock, in the version we heard there was a second husband that died that was put into a matching clock, wonder where that one ended up?

How much did it go for then? The clock sold at Sothebys London, Bond Street on 15th March 2002, lot number 1512, and fetched £35,000 (UK pounds for all those with unreal English keyboards!) As you can see by the price it wasn't me that bought it! The buyer at the time of writing remains a mystery, but lets hope they enjoy it whoever it is. If you are the mystery buyer - do get in touch with us here at TimeWarp.

For those wanting to make a version for their RHPS shadow cast show, here is all the information we could get

Measurements:
209cm.; 82žin. high

Sothebys description:
12-inch annular dial inlaid into the coffin lid with ivory numerals on ebonised ground, V.A.P. movement with lever escapement, offset drive to the hands, the coffin case with panelled sides and six gilt-brass mask carrying handles, the hinged lid inlaid with an hourglass, scythes, scull and cross bones and digging implements, all surrounded by ribbon-tied laurel, opening to reveal a human skeleton, the skull visible through the dial

Once the property of the Countess of Rosslyn, it is said that the skeleton is that of her Italian secretary-lover. She never recovered from his death and travelled everywhere with his remains in the coffin. It was acquired by Ken Paul from a music hall escapologist in Hackney, London.
Hired for and featured in the 1975 cult classic `The Rocky Horror Picure Show', other credits include a promo video for Eurythmics's star Dave Stewart, BBC TV's `Jonathan Creek' and, most recently, the yet-to-be released film about Jack The Ripper, `From Hell', starring Johnny Depp. (we think it was cut from the movie)

There is also a mention of the clock in an article by Jeff Nisbet which you can read here.