But the latest find for a Norfolk firm of antique dealers was a pair of pilots’ seats from a space craft which flew a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
The items, which appeared in the opening sequence of the Star Wars film Episode I – The Phantom Menace, are now in the more peaceful orbit of Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables, in King’s Lynn.
Arthur Knight, who runs the business with his brother Harry and his father Gary, said: “I saw them come up in an antique auction and I just thought ‘wow’.
“I knew what they were straight away because I’m a Star Wars fan myself.
“The great thing is that you can actually sit in them. I guess they’d maybe be a man cave thing for someone.”
Arthur (left) and harry Knight sitting in the Star Wars seats (Image: Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables)
Mr Knight added while his favourite Star Wars film was Revenge of the Sith, he also liked the movie the seats were featured in.
The props, originally manufactured by Boeing for one of their military aircraft – such as an RAF Stratotanker aerial refuelling plane – were customised for cinematic use.
Heavy-duty aluminium frames were fitted, along with tubular handles, switches and leg restraints.
They were then installed in the Radiant VII Republic Cruiser which appears in the 1999 film’s opening scene, where Jedi are flown to negotiate with the Trade Federation over a blockaded planet before conflict erupts.
Phantom Menace kicked off a prequel trilogy and takes place approximately 32 years before the original 1977 Star Wars film, which wowed audiences with its special effects.
Filmed at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire between 1997 and 1998, the seats formed part of the large-scale interior sets constructed for the production, which cost $115m and grossed more than $1bn.
The props are being offered for sale at £15,000 by Knight.