FLASH GORDON AND HIS MATE MAJOR MATT MASON

I've been intrigued by the Shimmel and Son Flash Gordon toy so I've been googling. Occassionally as I comb through the flotsam of cyberspace I stumble across a gem. The MONGO MUSEUM is one. It doesn't appear to be updated anymore but there are some treasures in its koffers. As the site's curator has obviously put a lot of effort in collating all the pics from various collectors I encourage you to have a look through and keep your eye out for the following:

1. Flash Gordon SPACE EXPLORERS carded set - check out the Major Matt Mason reconojet card illustration and the miniature MMM plastic replicas [1970's to 1980's section].

2. Radio Controlled Space Ship VF77 - looks like Scuba craft that have appeared on the blog before [1970's to 1980's section].

3. Batt Rock 1 and 2 [rocketship's gallery] - sort of look like the T in a Circle Space Vehicle. Just can't see the make?

IRON MAN 2

Went to see Iron Man 2 last night. I enjoyed it but it needs to be darker. They just don't make enough of the suited battle scenes. Anyone else seen it? To celebrate seeing it here's Black Sabbath's IRON MAN. Play it loud! Watch it though, it's heavy! I think they had to change the lyrics back in the 70's as the Mighty Marvel were miffed. I remember the original Iron Man suit in the early comics. Now that was class. He looked HUGE!

TOYS RETRIEVED FROM THE BIN: CLIFFORD COMPETITION RACING CAR TRANSPORTER

Here's the first in an occasional series of non - space toys I had as a nipper in the Sixties, which met their doom at the hands of my Mum, Dad and the Dustbin around the time I was 12! In the 1990's, with some hard-earned disposable wonga, I was able to buy back some of my lost gems -alas not my actual originals but they must have been someones Christmas treasures! Here's the fabulous plastic racing car transporter by Clifford. A sort of large plastic Ecurie Ecosse- style truck with a Lotus, BRM and more inside, it was, and is. a beautiful toy, which I adore! I only have the red racing car - anybody got the otheres? [first posted exactly one year ago].

FLASH GORDON AND HIS LP FRIENDS

I'm beginning to think that you could devote your entire life to collecting variations of LP astronauts! Here's some rather cute Flash Gordon ones on Ebay. Jumping and Bandwagon spring to mind!

THE GOOBLE GANG?

Isn't that Strakers Car from UFO?

Ebay

DENNIS NICHOLSON'S GERRY ANDERSON MEMORABILIA GUIDE ON EBAY

You may not have seen this on Ebay, Dennis Nicholson's GERRY ANDERSON MEMORABILIA GUIDE. Out of print for many years and with no sign of a reprint this is indeed a scarce commodity. I have had my book since the mid-1990's and along with Bill Breugman's TOYS OF THE SIXTIES Dennis's encyclopeadic book is without doubt the most important toy book in the Woodsy library. Despite only the front and back covers being in colour, Dennis has lovingly scoured the world for Andersonalia resulting in thousands of black and white photographs and descriptions of toys, kits, jigsaws, books, LP's and much much more including and always exciting for me, knockoffs and unlicensed toys. There's impressive Century 21 and Imai chapters and a wonderful section on fanzines from around the globe (of which I consider this blog to be a direct descendant, a blogzine!). It has to be said that the Project SWORD section is dissapointing as it's simply a facsimile of the Official Manual, which came with each toy complete with the illustrations rather than photographs. But this is a minor blip in an otherwise superb effort and the sheer number of amazing items, conveniently divided show by show, makes this the 'Bible' of Anderson collecting. As you can tell, I for one am a big fan! Currently for sale on Amazon UK at the £70 mark, this Ebay auction may just net you a bargain ( and I am not linked to it in any way!). For those readers interested in the history of the book, Dennis very kindly posted the original cover idea exclusively on the blog in 2008 and is shown again below [quiz: which TB2 toy is pictured on the back cover?].

LP's FOR SALE

I'm sure LP fans will have already seen this but Die Cast Toys still have some astronauts in stock by the looks of it.

YOU'LL DIE LAUGHING AGAIN!

 

 You'll Die Laughing black and white photo set. GRRRRoovy! Sorry about the pic quality, it's a house of dark shadows at the mo (that's a TV monster reference!). I love the laughing monster gang on the backs of all these cards!

YOU'LL DIE LAUGHING!

As the Icelandic Volcanic Ash Cloud descends over our Islands once again and closes UK airspace for the second time in a month, I thought I'd post some of my favourite old gum cards from the 60's to cheer us all up. Artwork by the legendary Jack Davis. You'll Die laughing! [excuse the shadows in the attic] Oh yes!

100,000 HITS

The blog has just passed the 100,000 hits mark! Both WOTAN and WOODSY would like to thank everyone who has supported the blog and left comments over the past 18 months. We hope you continue to enjoy reading it for next 18! Once again, thanks everyone and.......

Keep on Swordin'!