Frequently Asked Questions
About
Matchbox, MOKO, and Lesney Toys
Your host: Mark C, Administrator. Feel free to email me with questions or comments.
Please click on the each thumbnail to see the full size picture.
(They are really quite large and take a bit to load! ....But they are worth it!!!!)
Go to: Matchbox Links
Be sure to visit the Site's Bookstore at Matchbox Collectors' Community Hall Bookstore
Charlie Mack's book, "Collecting Matchbox Regular Wheel Models" is good for pre-1970 Regular Wheels.
ISBN: 0-7643-1198-0
The best
book for nearly all Matchbox, in my opinion, is "The
Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys" by Charlie Mack, currently in the Third
edition. It contains thousands of pictures of Matchbox toy cars along with a
description of the variants. A price guide is included in the work. ISBN:
0-7643-1571-4
"Matchbox® Cars", By Mac Ragan.
ISBN: 0-7603-0964-7
Mac Ragan once again turns his camera lens toward another of the word’s most famous toys, Matchbox Cars. In this carefully researched book, Ragan pairs his signature close-up photographs with an engaging history of the world’s favorite toy car.
Two internationally known collectors contributed entertaining forewords to
MATCHBOX CARS: Charlie Mack and Everett Marshall. Mack is the author of seven
reference books on Matchbox toys and
"Hot
Wheels® Cars", By Mac Ragan. ISBN: 0-7603-0839-X
The Ultimate photo book of these beloved little diecast cars. Mac's book depicts cars from the nationally known collection of Lance Joseph. Mac's stirring pictures use close-up photography, and other techniques, to present you with an incredibly detailed view of these toys! ...And that photography highlights the unique and beautiful features of these little racers.
The book and the photography shows the 33-year history of Hot Wheels from a child's point of view. Regular production vehicles, theme groups, limited edition sets, and promotional cars are presented throughout, and the book features an great foreword by "The Tonight Show" host: Jay Leno.
"Tomart's Guide To Johnny Lightning® Vehicles", By Mac Ragan. ISBN: 0-914293-50-8
The ultimate guide to Johnny Lightning® die-cast cars from the Topper-released cars to the Mopar releases on the shelves today by Playing Mantis. The book features quality color pictures and a price value guide. A must for all collectors of quality diecast.
"Lesney's Matchbox Toys, The Regular Wheel Years 1947-1969" ISBN : 0-88740-434-0
"Lesney's Matchbox Toys, The Superfast Years 1969-1982", Second Edition, ISBN : 0-7643-0772-X
(I have always found these invaluable reference books for cataloguing early models because the pictures of 1-75s are so good.)
Another good book with great pictures
is "Diecast Cars of the 1960's", by Mac Ragan. This is now out of
print. The short histories
cover just about every brand of 2-3" diecast car made during
that decade (even Mini Lindy and Cigarbox cars which had plastic bodies). It is a concise short course on 1/64 scale die cast of the
time period. Although this book is not
meant to provide a complete history and listing all cars produced on every line of Diecast,
(including Matchbox, and a host of others) the pictures are great
and the text gives a good overview of the time period's toy cars.
"British
Die Cast", Eighth Edition, By John Ramsay. I bought my copy from Amazon.com UK
Britain's diecast magazine "Model Collector" often has good articles on Matchbox and Early Lesney models.
Their address is:
Model Collector
Link House
Dingwall Avenue
Croydon England
CR9 2TA
Also "Matchbox Toys" by Nancy Schiffer 1983 ISBN : 0-916838-74-9 is a very good reference book.
There are also several books by Philip Bowdidge about early Matchbox toys.
Michael Stannard wrote, "Matchbox 1-75 Series 1953-1969" It was printed in 1985 and was reprinted again by Collector Bill Aprile. Email me for information on how to contact him if you are interested. This was privately printed and has no ISBN number. It is not available in stores.
MODEL & BOX CONDITION
C10, MINT: Model is as it came from the factory. Never played with. Perfect Condition! Both the model (C10) and box (C10) have no factory flaws. Sprue for included accessories is still intact.
Note: Early plastic wheels being loose on hubs is not a fault, as practically all early hubs have shrunk over time.
is sometimes used to describe that were discovered "en mass" in new condition. However, I would caution against relying on this description as it does not fully describe the condition of the models, but only the finding of the collection."Old Store Stock"
"MIB" or "MIBP" or "MIP" or "MOC": These are all variations on a theme. That is, the item is Mint-In-Box or Mint-In-Blister-Package or Mint-In-Package or Mint-On-Card. Please note that this does not necessarily describe a perfect condition toy. The toy still can have rub marks, scratches, etc. from the package.
This
model I consider C9+ or C9 1/2
C9, Near Mint: One or two tiny chips or box rubs, visible only on very close inspection. All accessory items (dogs, tv sets, barrels, etc.) are present. May have small factory paint or decal flaw.
Box condition: New unsoiled. May have original price sticker or marking and/or some light wear from opening and closing. All flaps are intact, with no taped repairs to box.
C8, Excellent: One or two visible small chips or scratches. Very light playwear. All accessory items (dogs, tv sets, barrels, etc.) may be missing. May have partial decal flaw.
Box condition: Crisp, but may be slightly soiled. Wear from opening and closing. May be lightly creased. No taped repairs. All flaps are present.
C7, Very Good: Several chips, scratches, or box rubs, highly visible on inspection. Playwear evident. May have decal missing.
Box condition: Worn and soiled. Wear from opening and closing. Taped repairs. One or two flaps may be missing.
C6, Good: Many chips and missing significant paint, but model is complete and acceptable for display. Playwear highly evident. Probably has decal missing.
Box condition: Worn, soiled, or water or insect damage. May be slightly creased or lightly crushed. Taped repairs.
C5, Poor: Several chips or scratches, highly visible on inspection. Playwear evident. May have missing or broken features. (This SnoTrac is missing its trailer hitch. Notice bent fender. Tracks are reproductions.)
Box condition: Resembles a part of a box. Shredded, but still identifiable.
C4, Very Poor: Most paint missing. Has missing or broken features (Hitch, luggage, tires, etc.). May have been painted by sloppy "budding junior artist".
Yes, there are two:
M I C A - The Matchbox(R) International Collectors' Association
The Matchbox International Collectors' Association
PO Box 120
Deeside, CH5 3HE
UNITED KINGDOM
The premier international Matchbox Collectors' Association. Based in the UK, but widely read throughout the world. The club publishes a bi-monthly full-color newsletter that is highly regarded.
This would be my recommendation for first consideration of a club to join after registering as a member of the MCCH!
Kevin McGimpsey, Editor: Tel/Fax: ++ 44 (0)1244 539414
Maureen Quayle, Honorary Membership Secretary:
Matchbox Forum International
The goal of Matchbox Forum International:
The enrichment of our hobby by exchanging experience on a world wide scale.
To create an innovative infrastructure in order to exchange information with the use of the club's own Homepage www.mbxforum.com
To spread as much as possible information with the help of Internet and a newsletter. The frequency of the news letter is at the discretion of the local clubs.
The club has contacts with members all over the world. At present we have members in North America, South America, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, France, Australia, New Sealand, South Africa and I probably forgot a couple of countries. However, all clubs issues also a hard copy magazine regularly.
How do you become a member? Fill in the subscription form at http://www.mbxforum.box.nl/jnsubus.htm and return it to J. Nijhuis. After the the application has been accepted, he will contact you on how to send the payment.
Also, a highly regarded club!
Matchbox USA
Matchbox USA (a private business) owned by Charlie Mack. Charlie puts out a black and white newsletter approximately once per month. It has a focus on modern Matchbox releases and promotional models. However, there are articles on vintage/older Matchbox cars as space permits.
Please direct correspondence:
Matchbox USA
c/o Charles Mack
62 Saw Mill Rd.
Durham CT 06422
Phone: (860) 349-1655 from 11AM- 7PM Monday through Saturday
FAX: (860) 349-3256 Email: MTCHBOXUSA@aol.com
Mr. Mack operates the Matchbox & Lesney Toy Museum, Durham, CT. It is open by appointment only at (860) 349-1655. Subscription Rates for the Matchbox USA Newsletter are: One year / 12 issues at $27.00 (standard class postage - USA) or $34.00 (first class postage - USA), $36.00 (Canada & other overseas countries)
This club is a private business and not a true club with an elected officer slate. He is not affiliated with Mattel Toys Inc. or Matchbox Toys (USA) Ltd. Matchbox is a registered trademark and is used with permission.
Restoration…..Should I?
That's a very tough question…..
Whether a model can be or even should be restored is one of the toughest questions in the hobby today. There are people who believe that a Matchbox (or a Hot Wheels or any other toy for that matter) should never be tampered with for any reason, no matter what condition it is in! Both sides of the argument make valid points, and I will try to present the opposing views with equal openness.
What is the value of a mint and boxed model compared to an identical blemished un-boxed example of the same vintage? If we think in automotive terms, an original, one-owner Ford Mustang with the original paint and all the stickers is truly a valuable rarity. There are those, however, that seek to duplicate, or restore, factory fresh original models from hulks worthy of recycling. Is there a difference? Of course there is!!! The one-owner vehicle is extremely rare!
Is the restored or duplicated model worth the same? No, not in my opinion. Is there value to it? I believe there is! Taking a beater, whether an automobile or a toy, and restoring it to a useable, beautiful example of its origin is an art. The value, in my opinion is the work that was put into the model and its restoration. Again, in automotive terms, on the concourse, it matters not a bit, as long as the car’s detail is accurate, and the car is certainly breathtaking! What of the value of the toy? Why does anybody treat toys differently than the automotive world treats a rare Porsche, Mustang, or Ferrari?
The increasing age and rarity of prime examples of Matchbox models has lead to the emergence of sources for restoration supplies and reproduction parts. Many of the supplies and parts are exact duplicates of easily lost or broken parts. Even labels and decals are being reproduced. Certainly, the value of having reproduction rubber treads on a tractor that is over 50 years old cannot be questioned when the original rubber has long since rotted and been discarded? Does the aesthetic value of original threads on a toy make it less worthy of display if it has reproduction treads? I do not think so, but many will argue that point.
There are some models which certainly should never be restored. Factory prototypes, extremely rare variations, promotional models, and factory one-offs (lunchbox specials, as they have become known) should be left in whatever state they are found. Restoration of these types of models completely destroys its value and erases any hope of verifying it as authentic. Moreover, rare models are a valuable historical link to the past that can provide insight into what was going on at Lesney Products at the time of their manufacture, much the same as archeologists decry the looting of Pre-Columbian artifacts from tombs.
The question of ethics must also be asked. The suppliers of these excellent restoration parts are providing an honest service for the honest hobbyist. However, there is potential for abuse of legitimate restoration parts to make rare variants or other “factory prototype” models. It is certainly as easy to take a common model and restore it to resemble a more rare Matchbox as it would be to recreate its original appearance. So long as the evidence of restoration is obvious, there should be little or no concern to the experienced hobbyist. However, a novice may be deceived were a more experience collector would not be so deceived.
The manufacturing of a rare model from a less rare version is only fraud when it is represented to a buyer as original or “rare” (more valuable than is warranted). This would be punishable in any court of law. It is when deception is used to misrepresent a model that ethics are called into play. In some cases, the difference between a common model and a rare one is simply a matter of changing the color or adding a decal. If an otherwise un-restored model is altered in this way, it could be extremely difficult for the average collector to detect. Restored models should always be represented as such….and they will be so represented by the restoration hobbyist…and probably not by crook!
What about the making of a
model that was not even made by Lesney Products? There are people out there who
wish to replicate a police car they used to drive in that era. How about making
a black and white police car from a #55 Ford Fairlane that only came in blue or
from a #20 Impala taxi? People will always desire this, as it is only human
nature! And they are worthy of collecting in their own right because of the art
they represent.
A number of factors must be considered when deciding whether to restore a Matchbox:
· The availability of parts, paint, and graphics for any model must first be determined. …And the ability of the restorer!
· The condition of the model should be considered. There should be no major physical damage to major diecast body and baseplate parts. The alloy used in diecast cars tends to crack if heavily damaged, rendering the toy unusable, and in most cases, unrepairable. Some vehicles damaged beyond restoration can act as parts suppliers for similar models.
· The return on invested time and money must be present. It is possible to spend more on the restoration of a model then it would cost to purchase an identical mint example. This situation will change over time with increasing original value models, although a restored model will never be worth more than a a mint, original model.
Collectors must decide on the merit of restoration for each model. If it is more desirable to own the damaged original or a restored model can only be answered by oneself. The restored model can act as a stand in any collection. Some mix restored models in with the original examples in the collection, and as long as there are distinguishing tell-tale differences, no one gets hurt or defrauded.
Where the restoration is so completely accurate, so as to likely deceive someone into thinking it a rare model, any restoration should be plainly marked or otherwise identified as being restored. However, will the crook be so magnanimous? Caveat Emptor! As always, let the buyer beware!
The Matchbox Box Descriptions Section is a summary of the different syles of boxes Matchbox were packaged.
Regular Wheel Boxes:
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
| Box Type | Year |
Writing on Box |
Picture | Flaps |
| A | 1953-1954 |
"MATCHBOX" SERIES (Curved) A moko LESNEY Product |
Model Drawn on Box Facings |
|
| B | 1955-1960 |
"MATCHBOX" SERIES (Curved) A MOKO LESNEY Product |
Model Drawn on Box Facings |
|
| C | 1961 |
"MATCHBOX" SERIES (Curved) A LESNEY Product |
Model Drawn on Box Facings |
 |
| D | 1962-1966 |
"MATCHBOX" Series (Curved) # # A LESNEY PRODUCT |
 |
 |
| E | 1966 |
"MATCHBOX" (Curved) SERIES # A LESNEY PRODUCT # |
 |
 |
| F | 1969 |
"MATCHBOX" #
A LESNEY PRODUCT |
 |
 |
Under Construction....Check back soon!
