Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A classic lithographed steel vacuum bottle featuring Colonel Steve Zodiac and Venus from Gerry Anderson's 'Fireball XL5'. This piece is a quintessential artifact of the 1960s 'Supermarionation' craze and the global obsession with the Space Race.
Story
Named after Castrol XL motor oil, this 1962 series was the first British show sold to a US network. It followed the World Space Patrol in the year 2062, fueling the dreams of a generation watching the real Moon landing approach.
Maker / Origin
King-Seeley Thermos Co. was the titan of the school lunchroom, dominating the market after merging with the American Thermos Bottle Company in 1960. They turned everyday utility into a canvas for pop culture, immortalizing everything from Barbie to the Beatles on tin and glass.
Condition & Value
The exterior lithography shows some light scuffing and minor paint loss consistent with age. The red plastic cap appears intact, but the internal glass liner and stopper must be checked for cracks or missing parts. Minor surface wear reduces value by roughly 20%.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.