Manufacturers -Corgi, Dinky, Matchbox
Corgi Toys were launched in 1956 by the Mettoy Company which had itself been founded in Northampton by Phillip Ullman in 1933. The 'Mettoy' name was derived from the first three letters of 'Metal' plus 'Toy - the company's main product range being composed of lithographed metal toys. In 1948 Mettoy produced its first metal toys and called them 'Castoys' The Castoys models contained a clockwork motor and when the first Corgi Toys models were introduced they also contained a mechanism. This, plus the introduction of window glazing, gave Corgi a competitive edge against its great rival, Dinky Toys.
Corgi Toys were named after the Welsh breed of dogs and this logo will be found on virtually all the Corgi packaging. The models were produced in Swansea by Mettoy Playcraft Ltd, hence baseplates are marked 'Made in Gt. Britain'.
The development of the Corgi Toys product range was largely instigated by Howard Fairbairn, a Mettoy company director. Prior to his director appointment, he had been Head of Development at the Birmingham Aluminum Castng Co and had considerable die casting experience. The first truly Corgi Toys product was No. 200 Ford Consul in 1956.
Corgi has always been famed for its model innovations. This was especially true when it was able to promote its models as 'the ones with windows'. additionally, greater realism was achieved over time with, for example, better detailing of its wheel hubs.
Corgi introduced various model ranges which have stood the test of time. Today, virtually all the Corgi models produced in the 1950s and 1960s are highly sought after. In particular models such as the range of 'Monte Carlo' Minis, the Gift Sets, Farm Tractors and the 'Chipperfield's Circus' items are very collectable. In addition, television and film related models such as Batman, James Bond and similar models command a very high price.
Corgi Toys were named after the Welsh breed of dogs and this logo will be found on virtually all the Corgi packaging. The models were produced in Swansea by Mettoy Playcraft Ltd, hence baseplates are marked 'Made in Gt. Britain'.
The development of the Corgi Toys product range was largely instigated by Howard Fairbairn, a Mettoy company director. Prior to his director appointment, he had been Head of Development at the Birmingham Aluminum Castng Co and had considerable die casting experience. The first truly Corgi Toys product was No. 200 Ford Consul in 1956.
Corgi has always been famed for its model innovations. This was especially true when it was able to promote its models as 'the ones with windows'. additionally, greater realism was achieved over time with, for example, better detailing of its wheel hubs.
Corgi introduced various model ranges which have stood the test of time. Today, virtually all the Corgi models produced in the 1950s and 1960s are highly sought after. In particular models such as the range of 'Monte Carlo' Minis, the Gift Sets, Farm Tractors and the 'Chipperfield's Circus' items are very collectable. In addition, television and film related models such as Batman, James Bond and similar models command a very high price.
In 1931, Meccano Ltd introduced a series of railway station and trackside accessories to accompany their famous 'Hornby' train sets. These 'Modelled Minatures' were in sets numbered 1-22 and included railwaymen, station staff, passengers and trains. Set number 22 was comprised of six vehicles which were representative rather than replicas of actual vehicles. It was first advertised in the Meccano Magazine of December 1933.
At about this time 'Tootsies Toys' of America were introducing model vehicles into the United Kingdom and they were proving to be very popular. Consequently Meccano Ltd decided to widen their range of products and issue a comprehensive series of models to include vehicles, ships and aircraft.
'Modelled Minatures' therefore became 'Meccano Dinky Toys' and set number 22 the first set of 'Dinky Cars'. The first 'Dinky Toys' advertisement appeared in the April 1934 edition of the Meccano Magazine. The first Dinky car produced after the change of name was 23a in April 1934. It was probably based on an early MG but was again generally representative rather than an accurate model. Set 22 cost 4/- and consisted of: 22a Sports Car, 22b Sports Coupe, 22c Motor Truck, 22d Delivery Van, 22e Tractor and 22f tank and is highly sought after today.
The range of models produced grew quickly so that the Meccano Magazine of 1935 was claiming that there were 200 variety's to choose from! Although the phrase 'Dinky Toys' became a household name, the actual range was of course far greater and was not limited to cars; it even included dolls house furniture. Indeed, by the time the famous Binns Road Factory in Liverpool finally closed its doors in November 1979 over 1000 different designs had been produced.
At about this time 'Tootsies Toys' of America were introducing model vehicles into the United Kingdom and they were proving to be very popular. Consequently Meccano Ltd decided to widen their range of products and issue a comprehensive series of models to include vehicles, ships and aircraft.
'Modelled Minatures' therefore became 'Meccano Dinky Toys' and set number 22 the first set of 'Dinky Cars'. The first 'Dinky Toys' advertisement appeared in the April 1934 edition of the Meccano Magazine. The first Dinky car produced after the change of name was 23a in April 1934. It was probably based on an early MG but was again generally representative rather than an accurate model. Set 22 cost 4/- and consisted of: 22a Sports Car, 22b Sports Coupe, 22c Motor Truck, 22d Delivery Van, 22e Tractor and 22f tank and is highly sought after today.
The range of models produced grew quickly so that the Meccano Magazine of 1935 was claiming that there were 200 variety's to choose from! Although the phrase 'Dinky Toys' became a household name, the actual range was of course far greater and was not limited to cars; it even included dolls house furniture. Indeed, by the time the famous Binns Road Factory in Liverpool finally closed its doors in November 1979 over 1000 different designs had been produced.
The company was founded in 1947 by the unrelated Leslie and Rodney Smith, who combined their names to form 'Lesney' Products Ltd. They were soon joined by Jack Odell - a recognised diecasting expert.
The most famous of the various early products was the 'Coronation Coach'. During the 1950s the company developed the highly successful Matchbox 1-75 and Models of Yesteryear ranges. Today, certain models in the 1-75 series are highly sought after and fetch very high prices at auction.
Following a difficult trading period Lesney Products Ltd was bought in 1982 by the Universal Toy Co of Hong Kong.
Moko Products
Moko Products was a toy distribution firm founded by Moses Kohnstam who came to Britain from Nuremberg, Germany around 1900. Moko provided the distribution and storage facilities and, irrespective of the supplier, all toys were marketed as Moko products.
The early issues after the WWII were housed in plain cardboard boxes with 'tuck in' ends. These usually had only single colour printing that did not include a picture of the model. During the early 1950s the packaging became much more attractive with brightly coloured boxes displaying a picture of the model inside. Moko will best be remembered for its distribution of the early Matchbox 1-75 toys under the name of 'Moko-Lesney'.
The most famous of the various early products was the 'Coronation Coach'. During the 1950s the company developed the highly successful Matchbox 1-75 and Models of Yesteryear ranges. Today, certain models in the 1-75 series are highly sought after and fetch very high prices at auction.
Following a difficult trading period Lesney Products Ltd was bought in 1982 by the Universal Toy Co of Hong Kong.
Moko Products
Moko Products was a toy distribution firm founded by Moses Kohnstam who came to Britain from Nuremberg, Germany around 1900. Moko provided the distribution and storage facilities and, irrespective of the supplier, all toys were marketed as Moko products.
The early issues after the WWII were housed in plain cardboard boxes with 'tuck in' ends. These usually had only single colour printing that did not include a picture of the model. During the early 1950s the packaging became much more attractive with brightly coloured boxes displaying a picture of the model inside. Moko will best be remembered for its distribution of the early Matchbox 1-75 toys under the name of 'Moko-Lesney'.
