A bottle of Del Boy’s Peckham Spring Water sold for a bargain £2,600 at auction.
It was being flogged by the wife of a cameraman on the cult BBC sitcom.
He was given the 32cm tall bottle as a gift after filling it.
It is empty and was used as a background prop.
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It was used in the famous Only Fools and Horses 1992 Christmas Special called ‘Mother Nature’s Son’.
The label on the bottle reads: “The purest Peckham spring water, drawn from an ancient natural source discovered by returning Crusaders 800 years ago.
“The spring is ideally located where prevailing winds and a protected environment together ensure a purity unique among spring waters.
“Peckham still is a crystal clear spring water, delicious on its own or mixed. The diet conscious will find this pure low sodium spring water irresistible.”
Millions tuned in to watch the festive special 31 years ago when Del Boy – played by David Jason – sells tap water as Peckham Spring.
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A production line is set up in the Trotters’ flat, with Del filling up bottles from his kitchen tap.
It is even given a trial by a major national supermarket.
Sales are further boosted by drought warnings issued by the local water board.
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The Trotters earn enough money for a Christmas holiday at the Grand Hotel, Brighton.
In the final scene, as the Trotters go to sleep, BBC News reports that Peckham is without water after a local reservoir has been contaminated by barrels of yellow liquid.
As a blissfully unaware Del switches off the light, a bottle of Peckham Spring on his bedside table glows yellow.
The bottle went under the hammer at East Bristol Auctions.
It had been set to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.
The listing read: “The prop being a sealed glass bottle with the custom production-made label ‘From An Ancient Natural Source’.
“This bottle is a sealed empty bottle, used for the scene in which bottles were being filled by the Trotter family in their flat.
“This example was likely used for set decoration in that scene and the need for it to be filled with water not necessary, 32cm tall.
“A very special piece of British comedy memorabilia, with a key prop from one of the series’ best-loved and most recognisable episodes.
“Provenance: supplied with a full letter of provenance from our client whose husband was a camera operator for this episode.
“When filming concluded, the remaining bottles were handed out to any crew or audience members who wanted a souvenir.”
