BBC TV ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Vectis Auctions Ltd – 23rd June 2020

Featuring in the 23^rd of June TV and Film Related sale at Vectis Auctions, was a collection of original BBC TV props and ephemera from the Children’s Show Whirligig.

Whirligig was first broadcast in 1950; a new children’s programme that soon became a huge success. The show ran for 6 years and aired fortnightly in a prime-time 5pm Saturday evening slot. The show featured Mr Turnip, a vegetable-based puppet who became a celebrity in his own right. He had toys, dolls, games, and even toiletries made in his name, as well as being made children’s “Man of the Year” in 1951.

Mr Turnip was created and operated by renowned puppeteer Joy Laurey. As the show was broadcast live Mr Turnip had many more strings than a conventional puppet, allowing for a greater range of movement by Joy.

The original, fully operational, Mr Turnip puppet prop, owned and created by Joy Laurey, featured in the Vectis Auctions TV and Film related sale on the 23^rd June 2020. He was accompanied by original scripts, including one dated 25^th November 1950 – the first time the show was aired; plus working notes from Joy, studio floor plans, contracts, photographs and correspondence.

Other Whirligig items included printers proof mock-up annuals, Mr Turnip and Whirligig annuals, and puppet related literature. Some very interesting reading.

Also in the collection were two further puppets created by Joy. Septimus and Phoebe, the puppets were designed and created for the show “The Adventures of Septimus”. The show, which was not televised, was intended for Anglia Television and was about a stone gargoyle boy who comes to life and is capable of time travel. This unique lot also includes letters, sketches and photographs of the intended show.

Another show, which Joy Laurey was commissioned for and which was subsequently produced was The Adventures of Twizzle. “Twizzle” was produced by Gerry Anderson and AP Films during the late 50s early 60s, the puppet, Jiffy The Broomstick Man, was created by Joy using images created by Roberta Leigh, these original hand coloured illustrations were available within this fascinating collection.

The catalogue is now online at www.Vectis.co.uk.

These lots can be found between Lot 316 – 330

For further information on any of the lots in this collection or in this sale please contact Kathy Taylor on 01642 750616 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Joe and Urs Ayres Collection which held on the 30^th of June is a private owner collection of over 600 Lots of Matchbox Regular Wheel models. The collection included road and racing cars, trucks and haulage, tractors, motorcycles, removals vans, constructions vehicles, buses and coaches, caravans’, boats, military and many more. They included many rare and hard to find issues with different colour and wheel variations.

The Matchbox sale which was held on the 29^th of June incuded two private owner collections. The Belgium Collection and the Bruges Collections, both featured Matchbox Regular Wheels, boxed and unboxed, single models and groups, including cars, commercials, buses, tractors and emergency vehicles plus others. The collections also included Gift Sets, Major Packs, King Size and Super King. Further items in the sale included sales and service stations, Accessory and Major Packs, Super Kings, Speed Kings, King Size and Superfast. The sale also included unlisted variations, factory errors and unfinished models, plus, counter displays, books, catalogues, artwork, games and sets.

The Key Issue Comic Book Collection

There will be a fantastic opportunity to acquire sought after key issue comics in the Vectis TV & Film Sale on Tuesday June 23^rd. ‘Key Issue’ is a term often used in comic book collecting but you would be forgiven for wondering what is meant by the term ‘key issue’.

A Key Issue can be defined as an important or essential publication in the title run or category. This could be an issue in which a main character is introduced, an important character’s death or a character’s origin story.  A particular storyline can also be considered as a Key Issue.

In the group in the Vectis sale there are a number of key issue editions such as character first appearances, THE NEW MUTANTS #98, first appearance of Deadpool. X-MEN #101, first appearance of Phoenix. THE NEW TEEN TITANS #2, first appearance of Deathstroke the Terminator. X-FACTOR #6, first appearance of Apocalypse. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #194, first appearance of Black Cat.  THE ETERNALS #1, first appearance of The Eternals. Also, origin issues, STAR WARS #68, origin of Boba Fett. Storyline Key Issues include BATMAN #404, 405, 406, 407, "Year One" Storyline Parts 1 to 4. BATMAN #426, 427, 428 (death of Jason Todd as Robin), 429, "A Death in The Family" Storyline Parts 1 to 4. WOLVERINE #1, 2, 3, 4 first solo comic series. AMAZING ADVENTURES THE INHUMANS AND THE BLACK WIDOW #1, first Black Widow solo story. The list goes on. These issues are more desirable and collectable and can command higher values, especially for copies in outstanding condition.

There are large sections of high-grade issues in fantastic condition, very glossy, flat, clean and crease free, approximately 1500 Silver, Bronze and Modern Age Comic Books, Graphic Novels and Hardback Books dating from the 1960’s into the 2000’s. Mostly Marvel and DC titles but also others to consider. This collection offers a marvellous opportunity to add to your existing comic collection, upgrade copies or even begin your own collection. There really is something for everyone, from large lots to single items, including a number of British Comics, some with Free Gifts, Limited Edition Hardback Books, Out of Print Omnibus Editions, Signed Graphic Novels and signed artist sketches.

There are 64 Lots in total which have been catalogued comprehensively with realistic estimates. We hope you enjoy browsing the collection and can find something you are looking for, you could also enjoy the full collection on our YouTube channel where the lots are presented in a slideshow, in lot order, starting at lot number 151. 

For more information or additional images, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.