Back in the 1950s, Eagle comic’s space hero Dan Dare wasn’t just a popular comic character – he was a major merchandising opportunity for publisher Hulton Press, and here at downthetubes we never cease to be amazed by how he was used.
Richard Sheaf has documented both official and unofficial Dan Dare releases on his indispensable Boys Adventure Comics blog for some time now, but the “Dan Dare Spaceship Kite” – currently being offered as part of a Specialist Collectable Toys Auction by Sheffield Auction Gallery – is a new item on us.
Offered alongside various Eagle annuals and a Dan Dare stamp, there aren’t any details about its manufacturer, but thanks to downthetubes reader Derek Wilson – see comments below – we know it was produced by Abbey-Playway. From the design of the tube it certainly looks as though it was an item of official merchandise.
Abbey-Playway were also makers of the Abbey Playway Safety Toy “Flexy Blocks” in the 1930s and 40s, which do turn up on eBay. (“They Flex – They Yield – They Instantly Reshape”).
Vectis sold one of these kites back in 2022 for £110, and their imagery offers a better look at it, but no further details on its maker. The auction house described it as “a very rare early 1950s toy kite comprising a yellow/orange cloth kite marked ‘Dan Dare Space Ship’ with a quantity of aluminium rods and string – an unusual toy”.
• Check out the Dan Dare Spaceship Kite on the Sheffield Auction Gallery as part of their Specialist Collectable Toys Auction on 15th January 2026 | View the Kite on The-Saleroom
Taking place 15th January 2026, the Specialist Collectable Toys Auction includes Pelham puppets, train sets and accessories, LEGO sets, Star Wars figures, Corgi and Dinky toys including an unboxed Thunderbirds FAB 1 and a boxed Corgi James Bond DB6.
Head downthetubes for…
Dan Dare Merchandise on the Boys Adventure Comics blog – compiled by Richard Sheaf
• Dan Dare Space-Ship Construction Game
• Dan Dare Interplanetary Dominoes
• Horlicks Dan Dare “Space-cup”
Eagle Merchandise on the Boys Adventure Comics blog – compiled by Richard Sheaf
• Eagle Report to Members (1951)
• Eagle / Girl Table Tennis Medals
• Eagle Club With Compliments Slip
• Riders of the Range Painting Book
• “Dan Dare” items on the Boys Adventure Blog
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds
Related Articles
-
Vintage Comics aplenty, Frank Bellamy and Roy Wilson art, offered in latest Phil-Comics auction
-
Latest Compal auction includes Ron Turner’s original “Dalek Chronicles” cover art
-
Golden and Silver Age comics aplenty offered in upcoming Vectis Comics & Publications Auction
-
Daft Daleks storm eBay thanks to Lew Stringer!
Hi John, I have one of these “Dan Dare Spaceship Kite” toys.
The manufacturer is ‘Abbey-Playway’ England.
Cheers, Derek
Thanks Derek – we’ve added that information. Appreciated!