Boxes - Lidded and end-flap. Excellent to Mint Condition After Many Decades

We often hear and read of the expression mint in box, with the mint referring to the model. But do we think of the box itself, that piece of thick or even thin cardboard whose very existence has assured the survival of the model in the condition it now is in. This Topic is dedicated to those folded pieces of cardboard which these days adds considerably to both the splendour and value of the model in which it was packaged, but more importantly to the box whose condition ranges from poor to remarkable, even to the extent of it being mint itself. It is to the latter that this Topic has been created. Having seen and obtained a number of Dinky Toys whose boxes have survived virtually intact and unmarked after the passage of more than 50 years, I thought it would be appropriate to share images of these with the wider Dinky Toy collecting community. With the exception of one example I find it extra-ordinary how these have survived almost in the same condition, apart from very minor soiling virtually from the day they left the now non-existent Meccano factory. These gems are a testament to those at Meccano who produced these delightful toys and those whose foresight (or lack of foresight??!!) ensued their survival in remarkable condition, I salute you all! The first example is a 666 Missile Erecting Vehicle with Corporal Missile and Launching Platform. This model arrived on 6 July 2016 from Collectoysin France. I could not believe the quality of the box - none of the corners have been bumped. So it is the first example to appear in this Topic. I will admit that the box has a small soiling spot below the rocket's nose cone on the upper box side, but I think the lack of loss of the upper paper on all corners still makes it an ideal candidate for this Topic. (Others may disagree!) I have three more to be added - a 689 Medium Artillery Tractor of which I wrote of its history in another Topic, and three yellow end-flap boxes containing a 734 Supermarine Swift Fighter, a 735 GlosterJavelin Fighter and a 736 Hawker Hunter Fighter. These are still awaiting a suitable day to be photographed. I hope you all will enjoy seeing these Dinky Toys/Supertoys in their amazing condition and hopefully others can share their unbelievable boxed models, most of whom I feel have been hibernatingall these years. Bruce (150) 20161014/1008/1641

Bruce, Here is my 934 Leyland Octopus Wagon with box. It has my favourite 2tone colour scheme, especially because it has the lovely yellow band between the radiator and the green band. It also has the loading platform fitted with a rivet Instead of a screw and bolt so that it can't be manipulated. it's hard to find this colour variation in mint condition with box. It arrived 17-9-2016 from Ebay Germany spielzeug-magnet. Regards, Jan O.

A wonderful pristine example Jan, congratulation with that addition! I used this photo of the no. 531 Leyland Comet Wagon with its box in the no. 533 thread a moment ago, but I might as well repeat it here. Box and model not 100% but 99% mint, a lovely example, bought in August 1999. But some oldies, childhood toys of the early 1960s, survived quite well too, with their almost mint boxes, the French no. 552 Chevrolet Corvair and the British no. 948 Tractor-Trailer McLean as examples. Kind regards, Jan W

This one is not perfect, but considering it is from around 1937, it is in wonderful condition, and still has bright colors, and no tears or serious scuffs. This is the #33 Mechanical Horse and Five Assorted Trailers set, in its basket weave box. Best regards, Terry

Terry. It is a very beautiful colorful set. Very well preserved. The models are mint and bright colored. The tyres are still perfect after so many years. Very special to have such a beautiful set. Best regards, Jan O.

Hi Terry, your 33 set box is beyond praise. We might wish that we have the same looks when we are eighty, your box's age. And also that our inner parts are in that fine condition! I hope trade boxes are also meant to be demonstrated here, lidded as they are. Especially those have a storage function, in warehouses, shops, getting soiled, quick notes written on them about contents and price, model after model being taken out and sold, sometimes waiting for a long time for every model to be sold out. So they will mostly have had a lot to suffer from that or they were - far more often than the attractive, illustrated individual boxes - just thrown away. Chance of survival was best when they were just forgotten, or if they came into the hands of serious collectors in an early stage. I do not have many trade boxes, about ten, I just do not collect them, but in the very scarce case that a cheap and fine example with original contents (an 'impossible' combination of course) comes along I may surrender. Two nice examples below, for the B.E.V. Electric Truck, both the early natural card trade box 14A and the individual yellow illustrated 400 box, and a later all yellow small one for the 70F/733 Shooting Star Jet Fighter (the other side shows the LF roundel, sorry no photo). Kind regards, Jan

This is my DT 930 Bedford Pallet Jekta Van with windows. It has also the 3 pallets and an instruction leaflet. The lid box is inside stamped 5 characters in blue with 60 at the end. Kind reagrds, Jan O.

Jan An excellent box and a worthy contender for this Topic, not to mention the model inside, uncommon and in excellent condition - with thanks to that great box! Thanks for sharing this with our members and wider audience. Kind regards Bruce (150) 20161810/1015/2106

Jan All four deserve a place in this Topic, and many thanks for including them. The smaller end-flap boxes in excellent to near mint condition are indeed quite uncommon due to their fragility. I wish the 948 I bought last year was in as good condition as yours! Kind regards Bruce (150) 20161018/1016/2116

Terry What else can I write that has not been written before?!! This box deserves its place in this topic in its unbelievable condition after almost 80 years!! Still with its insert and those fantastic models. What a brilliant example of Meccano's use of boxes in the 1930s. The colours of the box's paper covering is mind-blowing. Its further longevity is assured while in your care. Thank you Terry for posting these images in this Topic. Highly appreciated. Kind regards Bruce (150) 20161810/1017/2127

Hello Jan Trade Boxes are most certainly ideal candidates for this Topic, and I really like the two examples you Posted. Trade Boxes themselves are in the uncommon category and your 14A and 733/70F are in very fine condition. These boxes are prone to damage while still in the shop, as they are constantly handled, possibly at least six times or more by shopkeepers who may not have had the cleanest of hands! And of course, the bases for these boxes too have a quality inspection stamp. What are the stamps for these two Jan? It is nice to have such a near mint box for the 400 as a companion to the much earlier 14A Trade Box set. I too do not normally collect Trade Boxes, but like you, when one comes up, preferably with contents, and at a price that is more than acceptable (except in the case of one particular trade box and contents!) I tend to weaken! Kind regards Bruce (150) 10161810/1018/2148

Many thanks Jan for posting these images of your 930 Bedford Pallet Jetka Van, one of my favourite models and I question Meccano's decision not to have produced more of this model in a different livery as well as with tray or flat-top, as the cab is an excellent rendition of the Bedford A and D series of trucks. Can you post a picture of the inner quality inspection stamps please Jan that also includes the letters as well, that I can included in the appropriate Topic. Kind regards Bruce (150) 20161810/1019/2230