(Originally published way back in 2011, I thought it would be nice to revisit this post given the interest in Letraset! See http://www.action-transfers.com/html/at_yellow/moon.shtml for the big picture!)
Back in 1968 during a frequent trip to the cinema to watch the latest Disney with my big sisters, I walked past a newsagent and spotted a
display of Action Transfers in the window. After some brief pestering, I
came away with a copy of the first in a series of sets with a space
theme. I'd come across rub down transfers before, but this set was
especially memorable because it included a dramatic colourful painted
background and a set of cool colour images to set against the backdrop
to my own design!
20 or so years ago I found a beautiful vintage space print that was framed at Timothy White, Sun Rise over Saturn I think it was called, it was mostly green monochrome with white and black hilights and shading, to add interest I found similar space scene transfers from another company and wrapped them up as a wedding present, 90% of the invited guests just scratched their heads on seeing it, but the bride and groom still have it hanging in their dining room!! - MJ Southcoast Base
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool gift! Remind me to invite you to my next wedding!
DeleteI've just Googled the painting, it's color is different from my memory but it's art from Chelsea Boswell, the Father of space art, inspiring generations to seek out space travel! - MJ Southcoast base
DeleteDammitt auto correct!! Chelsey Bonestell!
DeleteBonestell was years ahead of his time with his realisations. His paintings were used in 'Destination Moon'. Even if he was a bit off about the terrain, his images are beautiful.
DeleteVery nice. As you say reminiscent of Dan Dare art.
ReplyDeleteAnd all I bought were whales! (didn't see these or I would have bought a pack or two)
Another extra-cool product I never knew existed!
ReplyDeleteI had this one Wote. More than once, actually.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound weird, but my dad built a canoe in about 1969 and I rubbed the three sphere lunar probe transfer onto the front of it as a kind of 'name', like the girls on American world war two planes.
When he died the canoe was passed to a cousin of mine, who kept it, and over 40 years later I saw it in his cellar and guesse what, the transfer was still there, intact on the hull!
Mish.
Wow! any danger of a photo, or is it gone now ?
DeleteI remember an earlier set with a lunar or space landscape (memory failing)and astronauts in the early days when Letraset rub downs were only black or white (no colour).
ReplyDeleteAndy - thats probably the Panorama set with the moon on. If you look on Action Transfers dot com, theres a big set with monochrome transfers in it. These were also given away with Clarks Shoes - 'Wayfinders' with a cratered sole and compass in the heel. See here:
Deletehttp://www.action-transfers.com/html/a_articles/bata4moonshot.shtml
Will try to see if my cousin still has the canoe and can get a photo of the transfer Wotan.
ReplyDeleteMish.
I hope so, what a blast from the past. Thanks Mish
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