152 Royal Tank Corps - Light Tank Set (1937-41)

In trying to attach a more precise production date to my Light Tank Set, it struck me that a code, production number and date are missing on the familiar place on the lid's side. Is there anything to be said about the dating of this box? Kind regards, Jan

Jan-This is a contribution of my UK Meccano and Dinky Toys catalogues.As far as I can find does model 152 for the first time appear in the Meccano UK 1938 catalogue with ref.nr. 13/737/1.150.The inside cover of your box says 'Over 300 varieties'. My Dinky Toys UK Foldout leaflet of December 1938 ref. nr. 8/1238/25 3P says at the top of the front also 'About 300 varieties'. On my 1937 UK leaflet for example, stays still 'Over 250 varieties.'A pencil pricing on the box may give an indication about the time of sale.Best regards, Jan.

Thanks Jan, much appreciated! Vriendelijke groet, Jan W

My first contribution failed me as a reply. This is my 'copy' of the Dutch Dinky Toys FO leaflet of June 1937 with the Dutch words 'Meer dan 250 modellen'. On the DTCA website you can find the original. On the cover you see the Tank Units. Unfortunately, mine is a copy of a toy shop OTOOS in Arnhem from around the 1970's, given by this shop as a promotional leaflet for the customers. I bought this 'copy' for little money on Ebay. Vectis, probably not knowing that this was a copy, sold this copy on 15 December 2004 Lot 3721 for GBP 200. They could easy recognize it as a copy through the contemporary modern phone number. A very expensive copy !!! So there you have it again: 'Always something new from Dinky Toys'. Kind regards, Jan

Incredible, to offer this copy for auction as an original, or, at least, not to remember to mention that it's a repro. Even without the OTOOS imprint an expert should easily see the difference between an original and this reproduction. Nevertheless, we are lucky that OTOOS of Arnhem issued this reproduction of a scarce original pre-war Dutch Dinky Toys catalogue (which is still cheap and easy to find nowadays). In the mean time I am continuing to try and reduce the time slot of issue of this example of the Light Tank Set. Kind regards, Jan

Hello Friends, My friend Ben Hoed of antique toy shop in Arnhem always wished his customers a happy new year with a small gift. Being a post cart, small model or a gadget. In 1988 we discussed the happy new years gift and decided for a reprint of one of my pre war Netherlands catalogues. A friend had a special printing agency and could reprint it with the right color of ink and the special chamois paper. Approx. 350 were printed. In those days printing was still the old way! Ben also kept some as a advertising leaflet for his shop. He gave them away at many swapmeets, also in the UK. With Ben I traveled many years all around Europe to visit swapmeets. As he retired, the famous shop Otoos closed the doors, and many collectors still regret this. From time to time these reprints turn up and sometimes described as 'originals'. After I attended Vectis that it is a reprint, they did not sell it anymore as original. I still have some spares. The reprint is somewhat larger as the name Otoos had to be printed at the end of one page. My original indeed can be found now at the site of DTCA,and for sure it is a rare catalogue. The same Dinky toys catalogue was also available in England and is also saved at the site. John.

John- Many thanks for your very interesting explanation about the history of this reproduction leafet. I find it very comforting to know this. I was always wondering why this store was gone. Always sad when such a beloved toy shop is gone.There are already too few in the Netherlands. Kind regards, Jan.

Hello Jan, From set 152 two boxes exist. The first is the blue shiny box, no codes on this type of box. Second type id the dull blue box. On these boxes codes can be found. My box has code BW9139 5M 11-39. This is 5000 made November 1939. It is the only code kown to me. A box without code probably is from 1940 as on some boxes made 1940 no codes were printed. This box without code is a new variety. John.

Thanks John, this dating of 1940 seems to be the most plausible outcome. Nice for both of us that this one can be noted as a variety hitherto unknown to you. Kind regards, Jan