There have been many Dan Dare figure sets, but some are a rare find today, and can command a high price at auction. And, perhaps, some are over valued…
Around 1954, London-based M.G. Southall Ltd. released a set of “unbreakable” three and a half inch high Dan Dare figures as one of its “Playland Products“, comprising Dan Dare, Sir Hubert Guest, Digby, Dan’s Treen ally, Sondar and a fellow Treen.
Individual figures have previously come to auction, their paintwork often damaged, and back in 2007, auction house Vectis sold a high quality boxed set for £2100.
Recently, downthetubes contributor Richard Sheaf has highlighted another set offered on eBay, over on his Boys Adventure Comics blog – the seller, UK-based Metropolis Toys, who are based in Warwick, setting the price at an eye watering £10,000.
Usefully, Metropolis Toys included a photograph of an original advertisement for the set as part of the lot description, the copy suggesting M.G. Southall Ltd. offered these Dan Dare figures through mail order, which perhaps explains their rarity.
Today, the location of M.G. Southall Ltd. in Shepherd’s Bush, London, is just anonymous flats, with nothing to suggest it was once the location of a toy figure manufacturer. If anyone can provide further information on the long gone company about which very little appears online, we’d love to hear from you.
While this set is rare, however, it appears the price being asked was too high even for the most dedicated of Dan Dare collectors, as, currently, Metropolis Toys is no longer listing the item and it doesn’t seem to feature as a “sold” lot. (We’ve contacted them to ask if it sold, but not had a reply, yet).
They do, however, have plenty of other interesting collectibles for sale, and while their website is still in development, you may like to check out their Facebook page and see the kind of items they sell in their shop – and start hoping for a lottery win!
“The figures turn up occasionally, but the boxed set is exceptionally rare,” Dan Dare fan Brian Hayes says of these figures. “Even collecting loose figures, it takes years to find all five in reasonable condition. Over time they lose their plasticiser and, like many 1950s plastic soldiers, they can become very brittle.”
• Metropolis Toys is based at 41B Smith Street, Warwick, CV34 4JA | Web: metropolistoys.co.uk | eBay Shop | Facebook | Instagram
With thanks to Richard Sheaf
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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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