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Howe's Transcendental Toybox was a detailed reference-cum-price guide to the myriad merchandise related to Doctor Who over the years, ranging from books to toys. Originally issued in 2000, an updated edition appeared in 2003, with supplemental updates also published separately in 2004 and 2006. At present, the work covers merchandise issued between 1963 and the end of 2005. A further update covering the 2006-2009 period was released in the Autumn of 2011.
Publisher's summary[]
First edition publisher's summary[]
The Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who Collectibles
A complete collector's guide to everything that has ever been produced to tie in with the series. From hardback books, trading cards and chocolate Christmas tree decorations, to stained glass windows, underpants and metal models, this book is a fascinating and enthralling look at the world wide history, development and collectability of Doctor Who merchandise.
This is the first and only reference and price guide to the entire history of Doctor Who memorabilia from 1963 to the present. It will catalogue every kind of merchandise produced in the past 36 years, provide photos for many of the items listed, and discuss many aspects of the show's long history in light of the vast amount of collectible material produced about it. The book will document the history of the world's longest-running science fiction television show from the perspective of the marketing and merchandising juggernaut that the series spawned.
Anyone who is a Doctor Who fan, science fiction enthusiast, armchair television historian, or collector of pop culture memorabilia will be fascinated by this book and the story it has to tell.
Second edition publisher's summary[]
The definitive collector's guide to Doctor Who merchandise, Howe's Transcendental Toybox contains an overview of everything that has been commercially released, world-wide, from the rare and obscure to the commonplace and disposable.
Fully revised and updated from the first edition, this new edition covers all items released up to the end of 2002.
Update no. 1 publisher's summary[]
David J Howe and Arnold T Blumberg present the definitive collector's guide to Doctor Who merchandise. From the rare and obscure to the commonplace and disposable, every facet of Doctor Who's penetration into the marketplace is detailed.
This first update volume documents all the items released in the 40th anniversary year, 2003, and also contains updates to the main book, as well as market reports and comments from both the people who produce the merchandise and the people who sell it... Howe's Transcendental Toybox is both a fascinating tour through the many ways that Doctor Who has been presented and an entertaining guide to the world of Doctor Who collecting.
- Product descriptions
- Black and white photographs of the majority of items
- Market reports from both the manufacturers and the sellers
- Overview of 2003
The book covers Doctor Who merchandise around the world, including items released in America, New Zealand and Australia as well as the many UK-produced items.
Update no. 2 publisher's summary[]
to be added
Update no. 3 publisher's summary[]
David J Howe and Arnold T Blumberg present the definitive collector's guide to Doctor Who merchandise. From the rare and obscure to the commonplace and disposable, every facet of Doctor Who's penetration into the marketplace is detailed.
This volume documents all the items released between 2006 and 2009, when Doctor Who cemented its position as one of the top-rated drama series in the UK, and the merchandising went into overdrive. More items were produced and released in this period than at any other point in the series' history. Also contained within is a feature on the developement of the Doctor Who Pinball, an interview with the man behind the pop group 'Mankind', and an interview with WETA on their range of collectibles. Howe's Transcendental Toybox is both a fascinating tour through the many ways that Doctor Who has been presented in merchandise and an entertaining guide to the world of Doctor Who collecting.
- Product descriptions
- Full colour photographs of the majority of items
- Overview of 2006-2009
The book covers Doctor Who merchandise around the world, including items released in America, New Zealand and Australia as well as the many UK-produced items,
Subject matter[]
A full and complete price guide of just about everything produced as a tie-in, by product or spin-off production of Doctor Who.
Update no. 1[]
Update no. 1 focuses on 2003 as well as Doctor Who merchandise around from the world, including items released in America, New Zealand and Australia as well as the many UK-produced items.
Update no. 2[]
Update no. 2 focuses on the years 2004-2005.
Update no. 3[]
Update no. 3 focuses on the years 2006 through 2008.
Notable features[]
- Black and white photos illustrating the majority of the stuff listed in the book.
- Colour photos in the middle of a variety of assorted items. In the second edition the colour section consisted of a complete (up to 2002) Doctor Who Magazine cover gallery, as well as a cover gallery of the Doctor Who Classic Comics magazine.
Notes[]
- The cover photo of the second edition is of a Fourth Doctor action figure fighting a Dalek. Among the trivia in the book is the fact that, due to a production problem, the head used on this doll is not that of Tom Baker (his mould was apparently damaged), but rather was a recycled head mould used for an action figure of Gareth Hunt as Mike Gambit in The New Avengers.
- A limited edition of six hundred Howe's Transcendental Toybox: Second Edition were offered to early purchasers. It included a free Chromed Gunner Dalek Rolykin. This variant was not available anywhere else and was produced for Telos in a limited edition of six hundred units by Product Enterprise.
- An on-line version of the book is available at http://www.howestoybox.co.uk
Covers[]
External links[]
- Official Howe's Transcendental Toybox page at Telos Publishing
