Hello from a new Member

As a new member I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I'm in Ireland and a keen collector of Dinky Toys and other Meccano Ltd products primarily Meccano and Hornby O Gauge. I am a member of the HRCA and contributor to the 'Spanner' Meccano email list.I have a very modest collection of Dinky Toys concentrating on boxed examples of accessories and ephemera as my pocket allows. I've recently been fortunate to add lovely examples of the #785 Service Station and #954 Fire Station and one day perhaps a boxed #45 Garage will come my way. Unfortunately space constraints and two very young sons with sticky fingers mean my collection is temporarily out of sight however one day I hope they will be able to enjoy them as much I. I have many gaps in my collection (who doesn't?) but enjoy the history as much as the search for missing items which I generally get via online autions.In the brief time I've had to look around this excellent website I've found lots of great information and the journal looks to be very informative.Before I close, I was saddened to learn of Sue Richardson's death, her co-authored volume 4 Hornby Comapnion Series and Great Book of Dinky Toys have been invaluable to me as a novice collector.Stuart Judd Ireland

Hi Stuart, Welcome on board. Your interests are very similar to mine and I hope as I add more content to the site you will find interesting things. I have a 45 Garage, but no box. I will find a picture of it to post, it also seems to have a replaced triangle above the doors. Impressively done, but not original. The normal 45's have a much plainer triangle. Peter Golden Administrator

Peter Thanks for the welcome and your assistance with my registration. In my excitement posting yesterday I incorrectly claimed I'd like a boxed #45 Garage when in fact I meant to say #48 Filling and Service Station. However now we're talking about the Garage, I have an example (see below) that has had the doors and triangle above the doors re-painted quite crudely however this got me thinking. I know of at least one garage seen in a Vectis sale (lot 5224 29 Oct) where the double doors are plain with no silvered windows or black stripes. The triangle above the door still has the tinprinted 'brick'. The majority appear to be as your example however I'm curious as to this plain version - was it an early or late version, factory error or a previous owners handiwork? Stuart Judd

My Garage isn't right, or it may be a rare version, but I haven't seen another with the fake beams above the doors. However, I think the triangle was added by a skilful restorer, perhaps someone who fixes Hornby tinplate items. A correct garage is attached. By the way here is a 48 Filling Station:

Hi All: Im Luis Rossi (member # 145). I collect Dinky Toys since the year 1945 as you can see on my webpage: www.dinkytoyscollection.com I have another brands because I enjoy it , and several Presidential Cars Popes Cars etc. My Dinky Toys interest is on the Dinky of the Golden Years, and I became a member of this site trough my friends David Cooke, Jaques Dujardin, Ian Werner, Peter Golden, Nelson Twells, David Dawson, David Busfield, Jose Heraud, and many more (Im sorry if I can't name alls) I live in Buenos Aires Regards Luis

Hi Stuart: Welcome to the 'Dinkymaniacs' home !! I forgot attach another pictures Regards Luis

Hi Luis Thanks for the warm welcome and lovely to see your examples of the service station. It is the one model I'm really keen to add to my collection although there are many others still to add. I wasn't aware of the all blue version that you and Peter displayed and I notice recently a No.48 box in pretty poor condition sold for a healthy figure online - I guess someone with restoration skills will be able to save it. I've visited your site, you have some very nice models - thanks for sharing. Below is a link to my very modest collection of Dinky Toys and other Meccano Ltd. products.... My Gallery Best regards Stuart Ireland

Hi Stuart, that is a very impressive gallery you have there. Picasa is a site supported by the gallery software we use. I could probably integrate access to your gallery in our galleries that are on the public section of the site. As many members know my specialist interest is in Accessories and I am gradually adding articles on these, so far covering Series 1 to 6, 13, 47, 49 and the later petrol pumps. I hope you can contribute to the site. We are putting a piece in the next Journal and will explain to members how to send articles in for publication on the Site in adition to the Forum which you have already mastered. We are also building a repository of Dinky related documants including catalogues, advertising material, factory photos etc. I also see that you have quite a collection of Meccano related literature. That 48 box went for an amazing amout given it was a wreck, 147. It was however dated December 1945 and is a clear indication that pre-war stock remained until the end of the War and was sold off then.

Hello Luis, welcome to the DTCA Forum. I hope we can look forward to many posts from you in the future. Peter

Peter Thanks for the kind words regarding my gallery, feel free to integrate the gallery as you see fit. I'd be delighted if they are of interest to other members too. It would be true to say Meccano is my first love but more from a social history perspective. Adding Dinky Toys and Hornby Trains to the collection seemed a natural progression. I'm fascinated by the growth of the company and the products it developed and consider the pre-war years to be the 'golden age' in terms of the products and marketing hence my modest but growing collection of literature. I view all of my collection through a childs eye, I can't help but imagine the child of the day pouring over a new catalogue dreaming of a shiny new Meccano outfit, Hornby train set or Dinky Toy....but I digress!! I'd love to contribute in some form to the site but I fear my expertise is lacking for any techncial/historical contribution. Perhaps a short peice on my collecting 'habit'...!! I've read all your articles Peter (and those of Jan too) - given our areas of interest are very similar I've devoured the information particularly regarding the accessories, they are extremely useful and very well written. Regards Stuart Judd