Macra Terror Videotape on eBay?

[douglaswulf]

On August 13, 2008 (or perhaps even earlier since the start time is no longer shown), an eBay auction was started and a link to this auction was posted to the RT forum on August 16. The item number is 260274610426 with the title 'Vinage BASF Long Play N1500 or N1700 Video tapes X4'. However, the auction was discontinued 16-Aug-08 15:06:14 BST (see further details below).

The auction raised immediate interest due to the labels visible in the picture of the tapes.

Here is a link to the auction:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260274610426&category=39999&sspagename=rvi:1:1v_

One tape has a title crossed out (BOY FROM SPACE) and below this written in blue ink reads THE MACRA TERROR 1-2.

Two other tape labels read 'STOP, LOOK, LISTEN', 'ROBINSON CRUSOE', and other children-oriented titles.

The fourth contains the indication DR WHO (KEEP) written in the same blue ink as the other tape.

Thus, the first tape indicates THE MACRA TERROR 1-2 but is not labeled as Doctor Who. The fourth tape indicates DR WHO (KEEP), but gives no indication of the episodes. This writing on the tapes is in clear blue ink that seems to look 'newer' than the rest of the writing on the tapes. No other writing on any of the four tapes is in this blue ink.

The item description from the auction reads as follows...

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You are bidding on four of these vintage VCR video tapes. BASF Long PlayLVC tapes as used in the early 1970's on domestic VCR's like N1500 or N1700. All four video tapes are used and have a number of programes listed on the labels like "stop look listen" , "Watch" etc Appears to be old childrens programes but content not know. Sold as is to a collector of these retro and early video tapes.

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The item location was listed as Glasgow, Glasgow (City of), United Kingdom

The starting bid was £0.50.

The seller is callumhous. This eBay seller has six transactions only. The individual has been a member since 03-Apr-06 and is in the United Kingdom. The individual has a feedback score of 75.0%.

Feedback from past auctions include these comments:

29-Mar-08 POSITIVE Hope to deal with you again. Thank you. (callumhous was the buyer)

27-Mar-08 POSITIVE Great communication. A pleasure to do business with. (callumhous was the buyer)

20-Oct-07 POSITIVE Very pleased with shoes, thank you. Slow delivery, but seller very helpful! (callumhous was the seller)

28-Sep-07 NEUTRAL Item took 10 days to arrive, despite paying immediately (callumhous was the seller)

03-Jun-07 POSITIVE Quick response and fast payment. Perfect! THANKS!! (callumhous was the buyer)

04-May-07 POSITIVE Fast Payment. A++ Wish to do business again (callumhous was the buyer)

03-Apr-06 22:41 POSITIVE Quick response and fast payment. Perfect! THANKS!! (callumhous was the buyer)

The following questions were asked and answered about this auction before it was discontinued:

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QUESTION
Hello, Was just looking at your N1500/N1700 tapes listed here, sound interesting indeed from the supposed content. I am currently researching open reel video recordings,N1500,N1700,Umatic,Quadraplex, etc varrious formats of video and film as well into recorded tv programes. Was wondering if you could state as to the specific contents of these tapes, as can see from the photo some labeling on all of the tapes, any info here would be much appreciated if at all possible. Might you have any other tapes, films, tv related tapes/recordings, etc about on any format ? Again, any assistance here in this research project of recording formats would be much appreciated indeed whenever you can spare the time of course. Cheers, Lance.

ANSWER (posted 13-Aug-08)
Hi Lance, I am listing a lot of retro video tapes over the comming weeks but the tape contents are unknown as they each have had titles taped over again and again going from the labels so these are being sold as blank retro items. I am having a clear out and have many hundreds of old film and video items to shift from my loft space, including early EIAJ video cartridges, I do have access to a number of retro VCR's including 1960's EIAJ players, early 1970's N1500 & late 1970's N1700, V2000's etc Check my other aucitons over this comming week as I will be listing a ton of stuff, I need the space back!

QUESTION
would you consider either a BUY IT NOW price or asuspension of the auction until content is VERIFIED???....thanks ....david

ANSWER (posted 16-Aug-08)
Hi, thanks for your email. I was selling these tapes as blank retro items, but as so many people have emailed me about their contents I am cancelling this listing until I can verify the contents of the tapes. I will re-list with screen shots once the contents are verified . Sorry for any inconvience and thank youf for your interest in this auction.

QUESTION
Surely you must be aware that there's no such thing as the macra?

ANSWER (posted 16-Aug-08)
Hi, I have no idea what you mean about the macra? thanks for your email. I was selling these tapes as blank retro items, but as so many people have emailed me about their contents I am cancelling this listing until I can verify the contents of the tapes. I will re-list with screen shots once the contents are verified . Sorry for any inconvience and thank youf for your interest

QUESTION
After reading the answer to your last question, could you be more specific and confirm whether the one tape shown does contain the episodes: The Macra Terror Parts 1-2? If not, I think that should be made clear. Thanks.

ANSWER (posted 16-Aug-08)
Hi, thanks for your email. I was selling these tapes as blank retro items, but as so many people have emailed me about their contents I am cancelling this listing until I can verify the contents of the tapes. I will re-list with screen shots once the contents are verified . Sorry for any inconvience and thank you for your interest in this auction.

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Stay tuned!

Doug

[douglaswulf]

The tape with the title THE MACRA TERROR 1-2 seems to indicate that the tape originally had THE BOY FROM SPACE on it, but this title is crossed out. THE BOY FROM SPACE is a UK children's Sci-Fi show from 1971 that was re-released in 1980 (according to the Internet Movie Database).

On the other hand, The Macra Terror was broadcast 11 March to 1 April 1967. It is a bit difficult to understand how a UK videotape would have two episodes of the Macra Terror on it recorded post 1971. It would need to have been a dub from some other sort of recording, rather than a direct off-air videotape copy.

As G W Randall on the RT forum notes, "long-play Philips VCR tapes did not exist until 1977, when the N1700 was launched. All of those tapes are long-play, hence they can be no older than 1977. And apparently the tape contained The Boy From Space before it was recorded over with The Macra Terror. In 1977 or later."

Thus, Randall sees the entire situation as dubious. Still, the matter should be investigated.

As Neil Lambess (who was one of the individuals who recovered 'The Lion') notes on the RT forum: "he could have format shifted then over when he got a new machine in 1977- or he could have done a telecine transfer of two 16mm prints post 1977."

However, Steve Roberts posts: "LOL! Very good. Deserves to get a stupid price just for the sheer cheek." Nonetheless, the RT will hopefully look into the matter.

Doug

[douglaswulf]

The seller is apparently in possession of machines to play back he tapes and promises to relist the tapes with screen grabs of the contents.

First, we shall see if the tapes are ever relisted on eBay and if screen grabs from the tapes are ever posted.

Second, if the screen grabs match telesnap images or other surviving images from the episode, the most probable conclusion would be that this is a hoax. On the other hand, if screen grabs were to match no known surviving image from the episodes in question, this would be a powerful indication that the tapes indeed have missing episodes recorded on them.

[douglaswulf]

At Ian Levine's Forum, LanceM posted the following on Sept 7, 2008:

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Hello All,

Have just joined the forum from missing-episodes, found that the Macra Tapes are again of much interest. I had originally been 1st on the spot so to speak on locating these tapes, had contacted the seller initially, who I received a very long, and civil response from on the supposed contents of the tapes as well as other items he had mentioned such as , EIAJ Video Cartridges,Video Reels, Film Reels, and N1500/N1700 material which he stated was to place on ebay at a later date. Then someone posted the listing on missing-episodes,here, and the Doctor Who Restoration Forum, and the seller was swamped so to speak by many many messages from fans. Though well meant, am fearing that if this was a hoax, was ended by all the attention, is odd to note that if it was a hoax, and he would of wanted to get as much for the tapes as possible, why would he end the auction ? I am hoping he follows through if they are genuine tapes, and re-lists with screen grabs, if not, fear that may of possibly had a few offers behind the scenes and already sold the tapes outside of ebay, the listing just being there to get the interest out there. I am hoping as everyone else is, that the seller places the tapes on ebay again, would be great to have a chance to obtain these tapes, seeing how so many people have stressed immense interest in the them, then hopefully, finding funding should then present little problem there for the tapes, as would imagine the price may go quite high if indeed are re-listed. Could be a hoax, but then again have found out that it was possible to make professional and home transfer copies onto N1500 from older formats like Open Video Reels and Film Reels, so is possible then that a video system such as the N1500, could contain b/w off air TV material from the late 1960's. Live in hope there

I have attempted yet again to contact the seller, have his home e-mail address, will attempt to message him again in the next few days, and will see what happens there. Will of course post any new info I find there.

Cheers, Lance.

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[paulryan]

Fingers crossed on this one!

[douglaswulf]

Well, the eBay auction in question was closed down on 16-Aug-08. The seller stated, "I will re-list with screen shots once the contents are verified" but this has not occurred. The remainder of the seller's auctions ended in late August. It is now 05-Oct-08 and the seller has had no activity for over a month. This fact is itself somewhat interesting, but can be interpreted in a number of ways.

[douglaswulf]

Well, it's now a month further on (Nov. 4) and there has been no further activity by that eBay seller. This avenue is looking like another dead end.