Dan Dare at Wallis & Wallis
Although Dan Dare might be getting a bit long in the tooth by now, nonetheless there’s a ready market for the space adventurer’s spin-offs. The last Wallis & Wallis sale included an unusual boxed set of Dan Dare figures and accessories under the moniker of 'Pilot of The Future' from Crescent Toys. Comprising five figures, a rocket and a launcher, all tied on to a card backing in a home produced box, the contents were in very good condition and raised £140.
Several Vanwall racing car models went under the hammer and the large, late 1950s Mettoy example was approximately 1/24 scale. Uncommon in bright red, with racing number 7 and with silver enhancements, it boasted cast spoked wheels with black rubber tyres. With 'Vanwall The Famous British Racing Car Grand Prix Winner' cast to the underside, it was complete with its driver and working friction motor. Bidding closed on £150. About £50 more, though, was needed to acquire the Nicky Toys (ex Dinky casting) Vanwall. An example in pink (!) and again fitted with black plastic wheels, it carried a driver but lacked a steering wheel.
One of the star lots sold had to be the Lone*Star TUF-TOTS, an eight vehicle gift set containing a Mercedes sports car, a plastic speed boat with metal trailer, a Ford Thunderbird, a Corvette Stingray, a Henri Chaperon Citroen convertible and a Willys jeep with trailer. Boxed and possibly never opened, it was sold along with a Roadmaster Major series four piece commercial vehicle set. These items settled on £240. ■