The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Collectibles by John Buss (book review).
I would contradict writer John Buss over ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ being the prime TV 1960s American spy show as ‘I Spy’ and certainly ‘Mission: Impossible’ lasted far longer. With the latter two, they had books and annuals but not the merchandise compared to UNCLE which was more family friendly.
All merchandise is from the time of the TV series than anything after and should be taken in the context of its time period of the late 1960s. At the end, he also notes that this is also only a small portion of the available merchandise from the time. Prices noted are what they sold for originally and nothing related to what they would cost today other than pointing out some rarities. There is nothing on ‘The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.’
Even so, I was surprised at how many toy guns and rifles, albeit by adding component for targeting, was available. We had some of them available in the UK but not nearly as much variety. I was also surprised to see a Thrush rifle amongst the choices out there. I do remember the pens with twin cartridges to write in invisible ink and using the nib at the other end to dispense a liquid to reveal the message, although not under the UNCLE imprint. Of course, you would have to know the blank piece of paper had anything on it.
Undoubtedly, the Corgi ‘Thrustbuster’ car is included and I was rather surprised by the number of colours it came in. The one I own from when it first came out is blue. Something he doesn’t note is that the Waverley Ring will break if you wear it too much.
I often wondered why the famous pen two-way radio was never released, especially as it was standard kit for UNCLE agents. Maybe it was having a small part that had to be unscrewed and put on top deeming it unsuitable to get in the hands of young children.
The photos out-number the text so should give you some guidance as to some of the UNCLE merchandise out there and what you deem appropriate to your collection.
GF Willmetts
September 2020
Get it from the USA: https://amzn.to/2GdSOiY or the UK: https://amzn.to/2EOEgFT
(pub: Amberley, 2019. 96 page small enlarged paperback. Price: I pulled my copy for about £12.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-4456-8858-9)
check out website: www.amberley-book.com
