Last Weekend, in my Captain Scarlet toy guns article, I mentioned the Century 21 Toys Captain Scarlet playsuit. I posed the question as to whether it contained a toy gun, which was impossible to tell from the picture.
I consulted the source of the picture again and noticed the description for the first time, which read:
"Century 21 Toys, Captain Scarlet; Playsuit comprising of Jacket, Hat, Belt, Gun etc - condition generally Good Plus in Good lift off lid picture box" [Vectis Auctions 2004, picture below too].
Yes, result! Or so I thought. To be sure I consulted Dennis Nicholson's book, The Gerry Anderson Memorabilia Guide, which lists two items, which seem to contradict Vectis and each other:
"Century 21 Toys UK, Captain Scarlet Playsuit; comprises of zip jacket and trousers selling 68 shillings 11 old pence" [Dennis Nicholson 1994].
"Century 21 Toys, Captain Scarlet Cap; Hard vinyl with movable microphone. Issued either with playsuit or separately" [Dennis Nicholson 1994].
Now I'm confused! Does the Century 21 Toys Captain Scarlet Playsuit comprise of just a jacket and trousers or a whole range of gear including a hat and gun?
To add to my confusion, Metropolis Toys picture the same Playsuit box sold by Vectis and describe it as being by Dekker [Metropolis Toys picture below].
Perhaps the answer lies in a further entry in Dennis's book:
"Montrose Products, UK Official Captain Scarlet Official Outfit: includes Scarlet hat, Spectrum badge and self-retracting toy microphone; foam backed nylon jacket with zipped fastening and pocket, mock flashing shoulder lights, black holster and belt, grey gabardine trousers, scarlet calf-length gaiters; all in picture gift box for 4-8 year-olds selling at 65 shillings" [Dennis Nicholson 1994].
Now, at last, this sounds like a comprehensive listing of a Captain Scarlet toy outfit, although I couldn't find a single image of the Montrose toy online or in any book. Dennis's book does include a picture of an advertisement for it but the outfit is described in words and not pictures. From the entry and advert there would appear to be no toy gun in this set.
All in all the situation is confused - or is it just me? What exactly is in the Century 21 Captain Scarlet Playsuit and does it contain a toy gun? Is it possible that Montrose sets or bits of them end up with Century 21 boxes?
The rarity of all of these toys and lack of images doesn't help here much but can anyone shed any light on these mysteries [and mysterons!]?
hi - I think the 2 playsuits mentioned are the same one - there was a mail-away version in a red box
ReplyDeleteI have heard people say the playsuit came with the water pistol, however pics from TV21 '67 all seem to show the kids with the white cap gun
the basic suit as far as I know was: cap, tunic, trousers, boots, belt, holster and maybe gun
no jersey apparently, which was standard from what I can see
hope this helps
Hi there anonymous, thanks for the info. Very interesting, I'd be grateful for any pics you may of the cap gun and the playsuit that you mention in TV21 '67. I'll post them on the blog. My email is moonzero@moonzero.freeserve.co.uk
ReplyDeleteThanks
Woodsy
I think I must have had the Montrose for my birthday in June 1970. The battered cap is in my loft, somehow it survives with a cracked visor. A picture of sorts still exists of me wearing it and pointing my Capt Scarlet water pistol which didn't come with the suit and I bought previously. It was the first thing I ever saved up for with my sixpence pocket money, it was 3 shillings and it took me 6 weeks to get. Unconnected to the toys, my father worked for ATV/ITC and at one stage had an office next door to the ITC office, joined by a 'serving hatch'. It had Thunderbirds/Scarlet stuff all over the walls. This was at ATV House near Marble Arch off Oxford Street. He worked for Lord Lew Grade who made all this happen and later brought The Muppets to the UK.
ReplyDeleteFascinating Philip. Really interesting. Did your Dad tell you any more stuff about his time at Marble Arch. It would be great to get it on the blog for readers. A snap of your cap would be great too. I clicked the Pinterest link. is that a box with the picture you mentioned of you waering your Cap Scarlet suit?
DeleteGod knows what the EG Media thing is. My name is Philip.
ReplyDeleteSorry
ReplyDeleteFascinating Philip. Really interesting. Did your Dad tell you any more stuff about his time at Marble Arch. It would be great to get it on the blog for readers. A snap of your cap would be great too. I clicked the Pinterest link. is that a box with the picture you mentioned of you wearing your Cap Scarlet suit?
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ReplyDeletehttps://pin.it/zLX13Qb
ReplyDeleteFascinating Philip. Really interesting. Did your Dad tell you any more stuff about his time at Marble Arch. It would be great to get it on the blog for readers. A snap of your cap would be great too. I clicked the Pinterest link. is that a box with the picture you mentioned of you waering your Cap Scarlet suit?
DeleteMy cousin had the whole outfit and it did contain a white water pistol but I had seen red ones two. I still have the cap that was given to me when he lost interest I was given the gun too but being just ABS plastic and playing outside with it every day made it yellow quite quickly and it pretty much disintegrated. You could buy replacements just the gun on the card often from the newsagents behind the kiosk. I'm probably going to put my cap on eBay soon because it needs to go to someone who will give it a bit more love than I have. It was a bit sweaty to wear and it no longer fits and spent most of its life with me being a container for Matchbox cars and marbles (prize winning ones I may add).
ReplyDeleteThanks Unknown. Great memories. The info about buying replacement CS guns at newsagents is fascinating. Good luck selling your cap.
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