It may not be in tip-top condition, but Dan Dare fans might want to check out the rare Mettoy ray gun on offer in an upcoming Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers auction at their Derbyshire Sale Room, on Monday 9th September 2024.
Unboxed, but clearly well-loved by its original user, on offer is one of the first of the Dan Dare guns, which quickly sold out. A litho variation of Mettoy’s 1950 Commando Gun, the “Dan Dare Ray Gun” featured a “friction action” with spark: turning the handle produces machine gun noise. (There’s no indication this still works in the lot description).
The Ray Gun is often listed online and in auctions as “circa 1951” and being sold exclusively through Marks and Spencer, but online sources suggesting its first mention in Eagle appear to be incorrect. We’re trying to indentify the correct date.
In Eagle Volume 4 No. 20, cover dated 21st August 1953, the now rare Dan Dare Cosmic Ray Gun gets a promotion and is listed as “the latest addition to the Eagle range” which “can be obtained at all good class toy shops for for 9/11.”
“Strongly made in red and yellow, this gun is technically known as the Venus Mark VI, and has been developed from Dan Dare’s original paralysing pistol,” the Eagle team tell readers.
Although some online sources suggest it’s first mentioned in the “1st August 1951” edition of Eagle, that date doesn’t fit with actual cover dates of Volume Volume 2 No. 16, cover dated 27th July or No.17, cover dated 3rd August, so it’s a bit of a mystery how that incorrect information arose. However, we do know the Ray Gun was listed in Mettoy’s 1953 and 1954 catalogues (in the latter on a page titled “Harmless Firearms”).
Other items of note in this auction include some bound collections of the 1970s title Disneyland; one lot of 1960s annuals including the two Dalek annuals; Corgi unboxed 1950s and 1960s toy cars including the Batmobile; and an item that includes a “glazed” picture of Beano No.1 and a Dennis the Menace figure. Plus if you’re a fan of teddy bears, there are plenty, including versions of Rupert and Paddington on offer.
• September Dolls, Autumn vintage and luxury fashion and textiles, Antique and vintage dolls, teddies and toys – 9.30am – 5.00pm Monday 9th September 2024 Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom | View the Catalogue on the Hansons web site | The-Saleroom
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.
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