Catalogues

Adrian Nice having the 'local touch' with the agent's names on the cover of the various catalogues. For someone like me who has only visited the UK, all the various shops mean nothing, although I can well visualize each store and their window displays as something similar happened in my home town of Armidale. Each Christmas a local department store had a toy display in one of their shop windows, complete with a Hornby Dublo layout and all the latest Dinky Toys. Each day a staff member no doubt had to remove the countless finger and nose marks off the glass! I can certainly help you with your list, as I too have an extensive collection of Dinky and Meccano catalogues, price lists and leaflets. Just let me know when you would like me to start scanning in case I have a store missing from your list! Kind regards Bruce

Another nice one came in last week: One minor tear ( 1 cm) on the right side of the cover, for the rest as new, 17 euros, postage included ... Although the information and the images are widely known and amply present on my discs, I like the print-work! Kind regards, Jan

Another error in the color scheme of some models is the picture of the 189 Triumph Herald just issued in May 1959, as shown in this UK catalog. It appears as all blue, when the typical toys were always painted 2-tone light blue/white or green/white. Perhaps it was a slip of the publishers on a preview of the promotional colors that were offered simultaneously with the introduction of the real car? The monotone blue color was one of the many variations offered by Meccano based on Standard-Triumph color scheme for this new model, to be given free at UK dealers.

There was also an error with the Herald in the French 1964 catalogue.

55Zephyr wrote: 'Hello Jan and everyone, like you I have also acquired a good collection of catalogues from several countries which have much period appeal, as well as providing useful information. However, from time to time, one appears which holds special interest (at least for me): I grew up in Twickenham, an outer suburb of London, and Beazley's was my local toyshop - they would change their window displays about every four weeks, and I would gaze in their window looking at the new Dinky arrivals - not that I received many! Although this is not strictly Dinky, I think it qualifies for this thread. Over the last dozen years I have compiled a list of all the dealer's names which were overprinted on both Dinky and Meccano catalogues in the U.K. between 1953 and 1960, and currently have a list of around 350 dealers - these are all from catalogues which have been listed on eBay over the last six or seven years - my task now is to compile it as a Word document alphabetically by town. The above catalogue is not mine from childhood, I came across it only around 18 months ago on eBay and had to have it, although it was not at all expensive! I googled the address on 'street view' and see that the shop now sells musical instruments - ah, progress! Regards, Adrian.' Adrian Many thanks for bringing to our attention the dealer's names that were applied to Meccano and Dinky Toys catalogues. It got me to thinking with sharing some of the catalogue covers that contain a dealer's address which may bring back some memories for both our members and those who visit this website. Adrian, have you been to any of these places? For me, I have been through London Bridge Station countless times, and Liverpool just the once. For other readers of this post, are any of these localities familiar to you? Kind regards Bruce (150) #639 16 June 2015

Latindinkyfan09 wrote: 'Another error in the color scheme of some models is the picture of the 189 Triumph Herald just issued in May 1959, as shown in this UK catalog. It appears as all blue, when the typical toys were always painted 2-tone light blue/white or green/white. Perhaps it was a slip of the publishers on a preview of the promotional colors that were offered simultaneously with the introduction of the real car? The monotone blue color was one of the many variations offered by Meccano based on Standard-Triumph color scheme for this new model, to be given free at UK dealers. ' Hello Latindinkyfan09/peperoni01 Jose? The Australian catalogue also has the 189 in the same light blue colour scheme as does the UK version. I am wondering if it was a printer's decision in consultation with Meccano due to the white bonnet/hood of the actual model in green or light blue as the white bonnet would merge with the what page background! Although if that theory was correct, the 237 on page 7 would be in a different colour scheme! There is also the possibility that it was simply overlooked, although your theory may very well be acceptable. Anything is possible! I hope we see more of you on these pages to swell the ranks of those participating! Returning to the 1959 catalogue page 7 has an unusual scheme for the 238 Jaguar D Type Racing Car, which has the appearance of metallic grey or silver, although the scan below does not really do the colour justice. I hope I am not repeating something here with the colour of the 238, although a quick check of this Thread does not reveal it being mentioned. Kind regards Bruce (150) #640 16 June 2015

Hi all, This isn't about any errors in Dinky Catalogues, but provides a sad note to us Kiwis in the fact that Dinky Toys were not available to New Zealanders because of import restrictions in the 1950s. A close up of the wording: Hi Bruce, Here is the front page of the catalogue. I have several copies of it and this one has the NZ dealer stamp. Whitcombe and Tombs were a nation wide chain of bookshops and also sold toys. I bought may of my Dinky Toys from the two local shops when I was young. Note this is a general Meccano catalogue and all other products of theirs could be bought in New Zealand except for Dinky Toys! I will check through the rest of my catalogues to see when the exclusion finished. Interestingly, Ramsay's does not list any New Zealand market Dinky catalogues. Ron F

Ron No wonder we had an 'invasion' from across the Tasman in the 1950s!!!! :laugh: But seriously, the only question that comes to mind, is why was a catalogue amended to advise that Dinky Toys are generally unavailable in New Zealand at that time. (What was the print number for the catalogue and would you mind posting an image of its cover?) I wonder what is the meaning of 'generally'! Does this mean that 'some' were imported through the back door, or perhaps only a small quota was allowed to be imported. It must have angered little Dinky Toys collectors in those days when they also read on the same page, 'Regular introductions of new models.' But what a sad thing to learn. Do you know how many years these restrictions were in place? Kind regards Bruce (150) #642 16 June 2015

Hi Bruce: Regarding the 'metallic blue' appearance of the 238 Jaguar Type D, it seems to me that the color is correct, a bit enhanced with shining spots. In the same page where the Herald is, the Studebaker Golden Hawk appears with red hubs, while it was always sold with turned aluminum wheels. Another printing error? Cheers, Jose.

Hello Jose Thanks for your observation on the 238, although I still feel that it is a long way off the turquoise that it should be! However, the catalogue showing the 169 Studebaker Golden Hawk is correct. The model was released with red ridged wheels. Although the model was eventually shod with spun hubs a little later in its life, with most I have seen being packaged in a red and yellow plain sided box. It is great seeing you 'on The Forum'. Kind regards Bruce (150) #651 17 June 2005

More NZ catalogues: 1955/56 has the import restrictions. No restriction in 1964. What are the letters by each model for? I guess the restrictions were lifted in 1960? I don't have any NZ catalogues between 1957 and 1964. How do the prices compare with Australia Bruce? Ron F

micromodels wrote: 'More NZ catalogues: 1955/56 has the import restrictions. I guess the restrictions were lifted in 1960? I don't have any NZ catalogues between 1957 and 1964. How do the prices compare with Australia Bruce? Ron F' Hello Ron Here is the Australian Meccano catalogue for the same period, June 1955, with a print number of 13/655/50: The above provides a comparison between the New Zealand and Australian prices, although I have no idea what the exchange rate was in 1955! Kind regards Bruce (150) #655 17 June 2015