Robots on the march — Vectis tinplate toys auction announced, includes Flash Gordon rarity

By John Freeman on February 15, 2016

Just some of the robots that will be in the Vectis auction in March 2016. Image courtesy Vectus

Next month, on Tuesday 15th March, Vectis Auctions will present an ‘Out of this World’ collection of robots, space vehicles, flying saucers and rockets — almost 1000 pieces of tinplate, metal and plastic pieces from European, Japanese, Asian and American manufacturers, including a rare Flash Gordon-related item.

The catalogue for this auction hasn’t been published yet, but the army of robots and other items include many rare pieces such as a 1939 Flash Gordon tinplate ship. These were released by Louis Marx in the wake of the popularity of the 1936 black and white series starring Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon and Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. This would be a spectacular edition to any collection.

Other examples date from this period through to present day with battery operated, wind up and friction driven models, including a Dan Dare item, pictured below and items inspired by the Forbidden Planet film. Several may look familiar such as the ‘Space Warrior’ series and the like originating in China which bear a striking resemblance to Star Wars toys of the period.

The majority are in original packaging or boxes and in superb condition.

• Vectis Sci Fi, Robots, TV and Film Toys Auction on Tuesday 15th March 2016. Web: www.vectis.co.uk

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John Freeman

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.