BIRTHDAY SPECIAL:SPACEX PRESS RELEASE

Finding this original press release picture was one of my Spacex highlights of the past year. I'd already seen this picture used for a press release in the toy trade press, but since I only have that as a scan of a photocopy, having the real photograph is most fortunate!

Measuring 16.8 x 12 mm or 6 5/8 x 4 3/4 in, the photograph came with a brief text which was stuck to the back. I take it this happened at whatever editorial department received this copy, for other pictures on other topics offered by the same seller had received identical treatment. Unfortunately the adhesive used has left a brown stain on all these pictures and their accompanying notes. And unfortunately the seller has ignored repeated questions about where these pictures came from, so finding a printed example of this press release will remain very tricky.

Issued by the Group Press Office of Lines Bros Ltd (three Lines make a triangle, hence the Triang trademark), the text briefly introduces the Spacex range. Because of this introductory nature, I'd say the release will date from the earliest days of Spacex becoming available in early 1969. From other sources I know the price of 2/11d (2 shillings and 11 pence pre­decimal) is for a single vehicle on blister card, equating to 14.6 pence decimal and equivalent to £1.75 in today's money. 

The 01­LIB_4242 I presume to be the press release reference number.

The photograph contains a few intriguing details. First off is the top half of the Mobile HQ, which shows a distinct door shape, and taller, more rounded window openings. The vehicle's radar dish has a smooth inside as well, without the concentric ribs we're familiar with.

Next is the Space Patrol craft, which is marked as Space Police Patrol 1, and which will be the yellow version with red engine nacelles shown on card backs and the publicity photograph used in the Sears catalogues. Whether either vehicle was actually produced with these features is anybody's guess ­ I've always assumed they were pre­production items but have no way to be sure.

The final detail of note is the blister on the card. It has been stapled to the card, and has the Prospector vehicle sitting exactly vertical. This vertical layout will be the original one, neatly fitting the vehicle around the text on the card. The three subsequent blister versions I have all place the Prospector at an angle, so that part of the text on the card is obscured by a wheel.

As a Blogiversary special, here's a high resolution TIFF file available of the photograph, minus the stain.

Many happy returns to the blog!

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Paul Vreede