Dinky Toys photography specials

SHARED GENES

Hello everybody, but particularly Jan, to add to your 955 file, could this be the 955 Fire Engine you are looking for, in the elusive (and very fragile) Visi-pac box? No wonder so few of these boxes have survived - to pack such a heavy model in such a fragile box is a guarantee that most of these boxes will not survive very long. I think I might have mentioned to you that I acquired this model from Keith Harvie a few years ago, and at what was a very reasonable price, as I also purchased a few other items including some unboxed 40 series cars and a few trade boxes, for which I obtained a good discount and free P/P. Upon receipt, it was obvious that my box would not last much longer either, as it was torn in one or two places and the 'cello' window was beyond redemption - so I dismantled the whole thing and cut reinforcing card stiffeners to the shape of window 'frame' and also the supporting base on which the wheels rest. I also replaced the 'cello' window with one made from 50 micron Dupont 'Mylar D' which, being chemically inert and also very tear-resistant, is used in preservation for storage of documents and photographs (you would be aware of this material, Jan - it is the same as ICI 'Melinex 'S'). I apologise for the average quality of the pictures which were taken some time ago, but at least are proof of the existence of this box. It is difficult to see from the angle of my pics, but one end flap has two prices pencilled on: 7/-, and 16/-. Well, the U.K. catalogue prices were: 1963, 9/-; 1965, 8/11; and in the 1965 U.S. catalogue, $3.50 - so I don't know where either of the pencilled prices come from. And sorry Jan, I am not open to offers - but if I should come across another one - I will buy it for you without hesitation! Regards, Adrian.

Wow, Adrian, that is great! Besides some minor variants this is the only one missing in my 555/955 collection. I'm not surprised that you will accept no bids, I would almost be able to commit a crime for that one. Nice repair you did with the Melinex stand-in material. Indeed we often use it covering precious and vulnerable documents in the world of books and paper. The times I have bought something from Keith Harvie will not exceed the fingers of one hand, but indeed, I bought one example of the 955 from him, the one on the left with matt black base plate and nickel finished ladder, one of the last produced. Thanks for sharing images of this special appearance of the model and information about it with us! Kind regards, Jan PS: Yes, please hold one for me if you find it, I promise I will not commit a crime!

DINKY TOWN AS SEEN BY A DINKY DRONE

Greetings everybody, (after a bit of an enforced silence on this Forum!) for many years I have trawled through the eBay 'new listings' for Dinky toys. Back in 2001 there were usually around 50 per day - these days, however, that number has grown - often to over 2000 listings (including 'Buy-Now) especially over weekends. I often wonder why I waste so much time doing this when the vast majority of listings are for badly worn or repainted models, Atlas reproductions, etc., or from speculative dealers asking ludicrously high prices. I used to think that maybe there was a bargain to be had, although these days the chances of that are probably around 0.0001%. A couple of weeks ago, however, I came across this listing (171721954995) and my curiosity was aroused because I only vaguely recalled mention of this model in this colour, from memory on the Keith Harvie website: Well, it didn't last long on eBay - I wonder who the lucky buyer was!? Regards to everybody, Adrian.

THREE WELL-KNOWN DINKY TRIO'S

Nice photos Jan, as usual. Richard

Love your photos Jan, here is another nice trio: Three Austin Devon delivery vans Dave

Jan and Dave--As usual, very nice pictures, and some good trio subjects as well. There are so many over the course of many years, so a good way to show case some more of our models. For your enjoyment, here is another, somewhat overlooked trio....the French Dinky Panhard articulated trucks from the early to mid-1950's. I have always liked this model, and my first was the Esso tanker that I bought directly from H. Hudson Dobson around 1959, followed closely by the Kodak Van that I was very fortunate to find in a glass display case at a department store in downtown San Diego, also in 1959. Years later I acquired the SNCF version, so here is that nice trio!

A closeup view

Lovely pictures! Reminds me how much I want the Kodak artic! Chris Warr.

Here is another French Dinky trio that merits inclusion here...........the 25 series Ford Covered Wagons, in the three liveries from the early 1950's....the SNCF, Calberson, and Grands Moulins de Paris.Regards, Terry

Greetings! Thought I would share with the readers of this Forum a group picture of my range of 184 Volvo 122S. Unfortunately, the pocket cannot afford the other South African colours at this stage in life! I have a feeling I have posted this image somewhere else in the Forum, but if that is so, what the heck, here it is again! The Volvo's are in deep red, red, white and Lavender. Kind regards Bruce (150) #620 11 June 2015