While the impending return of The X-Files is prompting many searches of eBay by its users. British children’s TV – including Thunderbirds and The Clangers – are prompting a lot of interest on the online auction site, no doubt stirred by their recent reboots.
The impending return of Mulder and Scully in January on FOX in the US (and, presumably, soon after, FOX UK) has piqued the interest of UK online shoppers as eBay, with more than 200 pieces of X-Files merchandise selling a day, according to a study of sales of popular television reboots over the past three months
But Thunderbirds is not far behind, selling more than 100 pieces of memorabilia per day, followed by shows such as The Clangers and The Wombles, all pointing to the power of strong, well-loved TV shows and explaining just why so many big companies are so keen on rebooting them.
LicensingBiz reports that there are currently more than 5000 live X-Files listing on eBay, including an early photo of actress Gillian Anderson now seeing bids of over £450.
A vintage Dinky Thunderbird 2 is being offered for a staggering £699 (in its original box) and some beautiful watercolours of the Clangers and Bagpuss by co-creator Peter Firmin have, so far, reached a bid of over £1400.
The top five TV remakes properties currently selling on eBay are:
1. The X-Files
2. Thunderbirds
3. The Clangers
4. Twin Peaks
5. The Wombles
It might be time to bookmark a Danger Mouse search before merchandise prices escalate…
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Auctions, downthetubes News, Merchandise, Other Worlds, Television