Matchbox Toys: Shire Library
Ebook
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Overview
Matchbox toys were ubiquitous items for children across the Western world. Originally labelled Christmas-cracker trash by retailers and shopkeepers, the small-scale 1-75 series soon began to see unprecedented worldwide sales in the 1950s. Smaller and cheaper than most of its competitors’ toys, Matchbox models were also far more accurately modelled, but the company has nevertheless seen its own share of competition and challenging times over the years. In this beautifully illustrated book, Matchbox collector Nick Jones tells the story of Matchbox and its most famous toys, from the Coronation Coach to Hotwheels dragsters, and complements the story with beautiful, previously unpublished photographs.
A fully illustrated and nostalgic history of Matchbox Toys and the company that made them, which will appeal to the generations of people who have played with them over the decades – and also collectors.
These toys are among the world’s most popular, and nearly everybody in the western world will have come into contact with one.
Contains a range of beautiful photographs of rare Matchbox toys taken exclusively for this book by the author.
Matchbox toys continue to be highly popular and collectable items, with many websites and societies dedicated to buying, selling and discussing them.
The Birth of Lesney 1947-56
The ‘1-75’ Series Regular Wheels 1953-69
The ‘1-75’ Series Superfast Issues 1969-83
Accessory Packs, Major Packs and the Kingsize Range
The Models of Yesteryear
Service Stations, Roadways and Catalogues
The Final Days
Further Reading and Other Information
Index
- Title: Matchbox Toys
- Author: Nick Jones
- Series: Shire Library
- Publisher: Shire Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2016
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Pages: 64
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781784421830, 1784421839
- Resource ID: LLS:9781784421830
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T14:35:32Z
Nick Jones has always loved Matchbox toys, from playing with them in his garden at the age of four to collecting the components from the pavement outside the factory at fifteen, and then becoming a keen collector in adulthood. He runs the website www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk and lives in the UK.