Sunday, 14 June 2026

The DALEKS - MONEY In The BANK... (Updated)


It was Friday 6th October 1972 and I was in Hamilton with my father as I was off school that day because I was ill.  Too ill for school, but obviously not too ill to go to Hamilton.  (I'm talking about the Scottish town, not the musical, which didn't exist then.)  On that day I bought two items; a second copy of The Mighty World Of Marvel #1, and The Fantastic Four #126 - both from the same newsagent's shop.  It was nearly three items, but I decided against buying the third because it wasn't the finest example of its kind.

I saw it through the window of a shop similar in appearance to The Tinkerer's repair shop in The Amazing Spider-Man #2.  The premises were still there when I was last in Hamilton a few short years back, though the shop itself wasn't and the building was empty if I recall correctly.  And what was the item?  'Twas a Cowan de Groot Dalek Money Box (said box on the box, though I'd have called it a bank), and it wasn't what could be described as a totally accurate representation of Dr. Who's greatest enemy.

This was a toy from the 1960s, so in 1972 it was clearly old unsold stock and I was unaware of what a collectors' item it would become if it wasn't already, so I therefore decided to pass on it.  It was obviously patterned after the Marx Dalek, and I've seen a plate with an illustration of the same design, so maybe that had an influence also.  (I'm not sure which went on sale first, the plate or the bank, but either way, they were both released sometime in 1965.)

Anyway, I didn't buy it, but over the years/decades, I grew to regret that decision as the toy bank always reminded me of that day out with my father and what I believe was my first visit to Hamilton.  Bet you know where this is going, eh?  I recently bid on a boxed example in an eBay auction and guess what?  I won!  I should receive it tomorrow, but rather than wait to take my own photos, I thought I'd just show you some of the selller's and save time.  Yes, it's a weird shape, but it's good to finally own something I should've bought 54 years ago.

I've owned replacements for MWOM #1 and FF #126 for decades now, so when tomorrow comes, it'll give me an immense sense of satisfaction to finally add the Dalek bank to what should've been its two companions, back when I was a schoolboy on a jaunt to a neighbouring town all those years ago.  Any of you ever own this bank, Crivs?  If so, what did you think of it, and what does your grown-up self think of it now?

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And in case you were wondering what the plate looked like, that's it below.


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Update: The little chap arrived today so below is a couple of pics of him on my dining-room table.  The seller had mentioned he'd never removed the head because it was stiff and he didn't want to risk breaking it, but a little touch of WD-40 soon fixed that.  Also, in the seller's photos above, the appendages are not fitted all the way in, which leads me to believe the bank has never been used.  I ever-so-slightly 'loosened' the holes with a small fine circular file (don't panic, no damage) and now the eyestalk, sucker arm, and gun all fit perfectly.  Didn't I do well?  (There was a risk of the plastic around the holes splitting if I'd tried forcing them in.)  The Dalek's angular 'slant' to its body is the wrong way round in relation to the head, and though it's the same size as the small Marx friction-drive toy, the eye orb, blue base and inner head indicate that it was the large 'Bump 'n' Go' it was modelled after (approximately).


6 comments:

  1. The sink-plunger and whisk are too long and the eyestalk is way too big.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the head and body are the wrong shape and the neck band is too big, etc, etc. Told you it wasn't exactly accurate, CJ. The big red ball at the end of the eyestalk are copied from the first version of the Marx Dalek, though Marx later changed it to more resemble the TV version.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous as well16 June 2026 at 21:18

    Kid, I think Mr Dalek looks amazing, quirky and fun. Nothing else to be said...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's certainly a cute little chap, AAW, but I fear he'd have been picked on at school.

      Delete
  3. Philip Crawley17 June 2026 at 08:31

    I'd imagine a Dalek school would have had a strict 'no extermination' policy, kids being what they are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They take courses in extermination at university, PC.

      Delete

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