Woodsy,
I recently got back in touch with an old friend, Doug, who lives in Canada, and who is without a doubt the biggest Supermarionation fan I've ever met. We had corresponded for years.
Today, he sent me a screenshot of something I honestly thought I had thrown away at some point, but apparently I bequeathed it to him. Thank goodness!
After Thunderbirds started airing in US syndication in early 1968, I was so thrilled by it, I decided to try and write a fan letter to Gerry Anderson. How I found the address? From the side of the box of a Lincoln International model kit I had recently purchased! The address I used was: AP Films, Slough, Bucks, England. And darned if the letter didn't get there, eventually.
Along with the letter was enclosed a print-out about the Thunderbirds characters and craft, plus two small black and white photos, all long gone, I am afraid.
When I look closely at the letter now, I think it's fair to say it's not signed by Gerry Anderson himself, but a proxy, but still! How cool that this was saved from the ravages of time by a dear friend?
Rob C
USA
You lucky lad! Absolutely unique personal memento, it must have been a huge thrill to find that letter in your letterbox. Lovely to see also the original C21 stationery your letter was written on.
ReplyDeleteI recall mailing a letter to AP Films sometime in the late winter or early Spring of '68, and had sort of forgotten about it during the summer, so when this magnificent response showed up, I was beside myself. I showed it to everyone, of course, even my father, who was impressed that I did the research to find a likely address. An amazing moment in time, as I fancied myself the biggest Thunderbirds fan in the States. SFZ
DeleteWhat a truly amazing letter, and a piece of Gerry Anderson history. I am so glad it has survived.
ReplyDeleteThis amazing artifact survived not thanks to me, as I have kicked myself constantly for having thrown it away - as I thought. Luckily, I sent it off to a person who has preserved it all these years. As I mentioned, Doug has to be the biggest Supermarionation fan I have even known. His collection of rare 2 1/4" transparencies, covering every Supermarionation show, could easily be the largest in the world. SFZ
DeleteHow completely amazing Rob! And you were in the States too! Brilliant that your friend kept it for you all these years!
ReplyDeleteYep, I became obsessed with Thunderbirds when it began airing in early 1968 in the NY Metro Area, first on Channel 8, and later on Channel 2. Even on our black and white TV set, it was something I had never experienced before, a veritable symphony of futuristic pop culture. It was like seeing Supercar, Fireball XL 5 and Stingray combine into little weekly feature films of stupendous beauty and excitement. SFZ
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