ENGLISH BATMAN TOYS

By Ed Kelly

When Batman the TV series aired for the first time in January 1966, there were relatively few Bat products available to the eager kids who wished to act out their own bat adventures in the school playground. Caught initially on the hop by an instant demand for merchandise, US toy makers were quick to respond and the rest is history.

 The show did not air in England until mid 1966. however, by then not only were certain US toys already available in stores over here but British toy makers have seen the amazing reaction across the Atlantic did not have to engage in any further test marketing. They were ready. And a plethora of products was available to satisfy even the most greedy little boy.

Many of the toys came from Company's that operated internationally. Such companies included the likes of Louis Marx and Aurora plastics who in fact had factories spewing out products in several different countries. But although the toys were the same, often the packaging was different and while this meant little to the manufacturers then it obviously has a tremendous effect on collectors today. Lincoln, for example, who produced all those cool guns and equally tacky vehicles in the 60's used different box art for their US and UK issues.

Still the market for these companies was the US and the greater ranges were produced in greater proportions there. Many items like Marx's picture pistol, shooting arcades, bagatelles etc. were produced exclusively there. On the other hand Marx's Swansea factory produced many items like the Batcraft, Walking Batman, Batarang Bagatelle etc. that were produced exclusively over here. On top of this was several solely UK companies such as Lone Star, Fairylite, Mettoy (later Corgi), Clifford, Tudor Rose and many others whose products never graced the American stage.