I decided to take a punt on this bagged pair of vintage 'Tempest Scanshoes' slippers, as they don't come up too often.
I think it's fair to assume that this is another example of some cheap old ex-shop stock that's found its way into the collectables market.
The hook for me was recalling the advert that appeared in my early TV Century 21 comics.
The ad suggested that the Scanshoes should be worn by all off-duty members of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol . An added feature is they are anti-magnetic and give complete protection against cosmic dust. Not sure how that would benefit budding aquanauts, but Troy's pal, Steve Zodiac probably has a pair tucked away on XL5!
TV21 also ran a couple of competitions to win a pair. The first competition appeared in December, 1965. This was for the less ostentatious 'W.A.S.P. badge' variation of the slippers.
The second competition was some time later, in May, 1966, and this was for the much more impressive, but probably highly impractical 'model heads' version.
They were available in three different colours; red, white or blue, and judging by the few photos of others I've found, appeared to have slightly different lettering and artwork on the header cards.
Back in the day either the model heads or WASP badge type retailed for 9/11d , the equivalent of .50p, but taking into account inflation that would be about ten quid in today's money.
Oddly, there's no manufacture's name on the header card, (I don't know whether anything is written on the inside of the slippers, or if there's a separate leaflet tucked inside) however the TV21 competitions say they were made by Church & Son Ltd, and reading the adverts, were distributed by Mornstar Ltd, or alternatively according to the TV21 competition , Audrey Noble & Co. Ltd.
The example I eventually bid for had been offered for sale a couple of times prior on that well known auction site, but with no takers, and as I only really considered them a bit of a nostalgic curiosity , I wasn't prepared to pay over the odds.
The next time it resurfaced the vintage slippers had 'dive, dive, dived' to a much more tempting starting price! Four other bidders did attempt to 'scuttle me', but in those final 'marine minutes' I managed to fend off borders and claimed the treasure for what I considered a more reasonable sum!
So, do I have treasure, or just a shipwreck?
Well, for a piece of Stingray ephemera that's managed to survive more or less intact for 58 years it doesn't look too bad.
The header card, which I'd original thought might have been a replica, but on closer inspection actually looks original, is quite simple in design. It features a rather simple generic Stingray illustration , the kind that appeared on a lot of merchandise from the time. The word, 'Foreign' is written in small letters underneath. I've seen examples of this and other header cards, some with a slightly more defined Stingray illustration, and a different font. At first I considered that maybe as these were labelled as foreign maybe that was the reason, but I honestly can't say for sure.
The card is copyright dated 1964 to A.P.Films Ltd. & I.T.C. Ltd.
The Stingray logo lettering is orange, although I can't be sure whether it's simply faded from red over time.
The original staples in the header card have been removed, or simply disintergrated over time, and have been replaced more recently
The polythene bag which also has 'foreign' written on it, has a little damage and shows signs of an old sticky tape repair.
I can't say whether the 'Scanshoes' themselves have ever been removed from the bag, but both are still neatly folded, and sat on a silver card keeping them in place.
The plastic model heads are in good condition. I should admit they don't resemble Troy or Phones at all, although there are slight differences, and the one with the wide-eyed look does have a sort of 'Troy Tempest' raised eyebrow!
The Scanshoes are white, possibly leatherette, with what looks like a suede type material on the soles. The header card describes them as medium size.
There's also a hanging string which obviously would have been used to display the Scanshoes.
Overall, a pleasing , if unusual piece of vintage Stingray merchandise .
