New arrivals

And then there are the garages made by Triang Minic from 1936. These photos are all taken from the book 'The Minic Book' by Peter Bartok, published by New Cavendish Books, 1987. These are just a selection of photos, there are a lot more.

Jon--Speaking of a Kodak fleet, I couldn't remember if you also had that wonderful Dan Toys/Atlas combo truck/trailer/trailer? Am guessing you do.....here is mine just for reference. You can never have too much of a good thing!

Yes, but of course I do! if I ever do a diorama, this replica would join in too!

Those are all lovely items, though to my mind Triang -- along with Lesney and many other makers -- marred its garages by emblazoning its trademark on them, which made them unrealistic. The French garages almost never had that problem. That said, the Triang Tower garage is my absolute holy grail. It combined parts from various Triang castles with pumps sourced from Binns Road. I would love to see one of these sets and to know whether the pumps retained the Dinky trademark on the bottom.

The Houten Fair, yesterday, was getting back to 'normal' again, with fewer visitors and stand holders than before the pandemic, but considerably more than in summer. Very lively, like before, and a big social reunion for many collectors since 1.5 year. Unfortunately, the British dealers and visitors seemed to be absent, but quite some from continental European countries were present again. I sold quite some replaced Dinky's and bought one fine Dinky model in return, the French no. 25b Peugeot D.3.A in the early 'Lampe Mazda' livery. It was the first French Dinky to be sold in an individual box and it was advertised in the French 1953 catalogue only. In the mean time I could not let a Russian tinplate garage go, all complete with its colourful box and the individually boxed toy cars. For 20 euros only, and of course to be included in the growing garage booklet. Kind regards, Jan

Jan---Glad to hear the fair is getting back to normal, and that found some very nice items. That Peugeot van is lovely, and the garage is very nice. Best regards, Terry

Jan, we in the States can only look on in envy regarding things such as Toy Fairs -- basically non-existent here -- and the chance to meet other collectors. Nice acquisitions, too -- that garage is particuarly jolly!

Three new arrivals today 1. 22f tank. This is the early (1933-34) Hornby Series version. This is a companion to my later (1935-1940) all grey version. 2. 22c Motor Truck. This is a pre-war version with black wheels and open rear window in the cab. In Jacques Dujardin's encyclopedia he lists 2 versions, one listed with an olive green body, smooth black wheels, smooth white tyres and thin axles and a second with a khaki body, treaded tyres and thin axles. So I am not sure which version mine comes under as it has smooth black wheels, smooth black tyres and thin axles. This is a companion to my 22s Small searchlight lorry which I have had for some time. 3. 25g. Four wheel trailer. This has smooth wheels painted the same colour as the body, fine treaded tyres and thin axles. The tow bar is flat tinplate painted black. I dont think this has been recorded in Jacques encyclopedia. I am very pleased with these 3 items as I think they are quite unusual and possibly quite rare (althought the 22f is more common). Chris.

Chris---Very nice additions and not very common at all. A question, did all the pre-war 22c trucks come without a silver colored grill or front of radiator? I thought I remembered seeing them painted silver. Your version with the searchlight was a military model, so wouldn't expect it. Best regards, Terry

So maybe this was intended to be a military version? Just curious.....Terry

The 22c Motor Truck is definitely a military version without the silver painted radiator, but as far as I am aware all the other versions had the silver radiator. Chris.

Chris---I guess I am confused. Usually military versions of civilian trucks were given a different number to separately identify them. Then, when I looked further, under the 22c listing in one of my Richardson books, it makes no mention at all of a military version of the 22c, nor does it list that color. Is it possible that is a South African version, made especially for them only? This is very interesting! Best regards, Terry