Drawing on unseen and iconic material from the BBC archive and private collectors, The Vault is an unforgettable journey through 50 years of Doctor Who, via carefully selected photographs, props, costumes designs, production memos, letters, scripts and more.

This is the full and official story of Doctor Who, from the first pre-production memos in 1963 to the most recent props created for the 2013 series, including interviews with key contributors and scores of prop photos, design sketches and behind the scenes stills from every decade of the show's production. Taking you year by year through the world's longest running science fiction series, Marcus Hearn explores the show's groundbre­aking innovations as well as its impact on popular culture through books and comics, magazines and toys, merchandise and ephemera.

The Vault is a collector's dream and the ultimate celebration of Doctor Who.

Review by SFX.co.uk

"One day, there’ll be a museum dedicated to Doctor Who. Not an exhibition: a proper museum, with precious relics displayed under glass, and scholarly notes, something possessing a gravitas befitting the show’s immense cultural significance. Maybe when the 100th anniversary comes around?

Until that day arrives, this gorgeous coffee table book will do very nicely. Arranged chronologically, year by year, it celebrates the show’s history by presenting rare ephemera, including shots of props and costumes, costume designs and concept art, and – most delightful of all – masses of merchandise, from lolly wrappers and cereal packets to iron-on transfers and annuals.

Succinct essays cover every important aspect of not only the show itself – not just the companions, the TARDIS and The Master, but the directors, writers and musicians – but the rich culture that has accreted around it over the decades – the fanzines, the novels, the audio CDs. Casual fans couldn’t wish for a more accessible and complete beginner’s guide.

But this is an essential purchase for hardcore Who fans too, because it’s such a cornucopia of delights. In the early stages, every turn of the page brings fresh treasures that will have you oohing and aahing with pleasure: a rare Hartnell jigsaw which pits Daleks against fighter jets; a snap of an Ice Warrior giving companion Zoe a hug; a disintegrating Sea Devil head. The interest curve dips in the final third – a photo of a Character Options action figure is just less exciting than a photo of a ‘70s Denys Fisher doll. But that’s to be expected. Here’s hoping that when that museum finally opens its doors in 2063 someone’s pre­served Marcus Hearn head in a jar, Futurama-style, so that he can act as curator."

Ian Berriman, SFX.co.uk