Corgi Toys were launched in 1956 by the Mettoy Company which was founded
in Northampton by Phillip Ullman in 1933.
The name was derived from the first three letters of metal plus toy.
In 1948 Mettoy produced their first cast metal toys and called them 'castoys'.
These first toys contained a clockwork motor which was also available in the first Corgi Toys.
Corgi had a number of competitive advantages over its rivals, Dinky, including window glazing.
Corgi introduced various model ranges over the years all of which have
become collectable.
Unfortunately the Mettoy company went into receivership in 1983
and the company became the subject of a management buy-out.
July 1956-Blue box
January 1959-Yellow/Blue box
December 1966-Window box(Two square window ends)
May 1973- Angled window box(one square window end coloured line around box)
1980-Yellow window box
1987-New style Corgi logo box
More commonly know as Dinky Toys these models were originally introduced to compliment the Hornby model train sets.
The first Dinky car produced was the 23a and was available from April 1934 and probably based on an early MG.
Meccano produced a wide range of models and by 1935 there were approximately
200 models to choose from.
The Liverpool factory finally closed in November 1979 having produced over
1000 different designs,
a legacy which will keep collectors busy for years.
As would be expected the pre-war models which are now incredibly rare command
a significant premium compared to the post war models.
With such a vast range of models a number of scarce variation have been
created which should they come to market fetch sky high prices.
| iiBox Identification Post-War/After the second worlds war models contained to be sold un boxed from trade box until 1953/54 when the first individual boxes were introduced. The boxes have been catalogued into three types as follows; Type 1(1953-1975): Card box with tuck-in flaps Type 2(1962-1980) : Display boxes-Blister packs,rigid plastic packs, vacumfrom packs and card window boxes Type 3(1966-1980) : Export issue boxes |
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The two founders were later joined by Jack Odell who was recognised as a leading expert in the field of die-casting.
The most famous of the various early products was the 'Coronation Coach'.
During the 1950's the company developed the highly succsseful Matchbox 1-75 and 'Models of Yesteryear' ranges.
Today certain variations of the 1-75 Series are highly sought after and command exceptional prices at auction.
Lesney Products Limited was bought in 1982 by the Universal Toy Co. of Hong Kong following a period of poor trading
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1999 brings new changes to Matchbox line. The first and the fore most is the increase in the MB1-75 line. |
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| Piranha models are one of the last creators of 1/43 scale white metal
models car kits using the techniques pioneered by Andre-Marie Ruf. Piranha Models will be closing at the end of March 2009 |
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| Spark models are essentially serially produced hand built kits. |
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| TOMICA is the miniature car which a Japanese manufacturer makes from 1970.
BMLC Mini@Cooper MK-III appeared on a list for F-8-2 in 1979. |
This model concretized the design that a Japanese well-known collector imagined in long time.
A meaning of "Fuku" is being good luck or offering quality to the gods and Buddha.
There is a custom to distribute something which becomes commemorative to towards most by a happy event from ancient times in Japan.
This model prays for happiness of the person who received it and takes a prayer of God in a noble place.
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