Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s

Features

• The book offers a comprehensive overview of diecast toy car production worldwide in the 1950s and 1960s
• It provides valuable background information on the companies that made these toys
• Most of this information is based on personal research and is not available in other books
• 300 carefully selected photographs of rare items from many different countries
• The models pictured are in mint condition, with original boxes where appropriate
• Rather than focusing on only a few manufacturers, the book gives an overview of the development of the diecast car industry during the 50s and 60s, highlighting the different trends that emerged, differences in approach in one country compared to another, and so on
• Price guide gives an indication of current values and degree of rarity
• In addition to photographs of individual toys, there are numerous reproductions of rare period advertisements and catalogue illustrations, most of them in full colour
• Rather than covering only well-known brands, the book sheds light on many smaller and lesser-known manufacturers
• The book will be an invaluable aid to collectors buying at auction and at toy shows
• The book is likely to influence many toy collectors to seek out diecast toys, and will therefore have an effect on the obsolete toy market

Description

Collecting vintage diecast toy cars has become an increasingly popular hobby over the last 25 years, and this book provides a comprehensive overview of the companies that made these toys during the 1950s and 1960s.
As well as examining the major names such as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys and Matchbox (Great Britain), Solido (France), Tekno (Denmark) and Tootsietoy (USA), this book is unique in its coverage of many smaller and more obscure brands, not only from Europe or the USA but from countries as far afield as Japan, Israel and Argentina.
The book provides fascinating insights into the history of individual companies, accompanied by 300 photographs of rare examples, most of them with their original boxes. A further unique feature is the inclusion of a large selection of colourful and evocative illustrations from catalogues and period trade advertisements.
For the newcomer to the hobby, this volume will provide an ideal introduction to the history of the manufacturers active in this field, while experienced collectors will make many new discoveries.

Synopsis

Collecting diecast toy cars has become an increasingly popular hobby over the last 25 years.
Many of the classic diecast cars of the 1950s and 1960s are now valuable collectors’ items, and surviving examples in mint and boxed condition regularly fetch significant sums at specialist auctions.
This book provides a comprehensive survey of the companies that made these toys in the 1950s and 1960s, not only in Britain but in other European countries, the USA, Japan and beyond.
Major names such as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Spot-On and Matchbox (Great Britain), Solido (France), Marklin and Gama (Germany ), Tekno (Denmark) and Tootsietoy (USA) are examined, but a unique feature of the book is the wealth of information provided on many smaller and more obscure brands. These include Crescent, Budgie, Chad Valley and Lone Star (UK), CIJ and JRD (France), Dalia (Spain), Buby (Argentina), Gamda (Israel) and many others about which information is hard to come by. A special chapter is devoted to early Japanese diecast models by Cherryca Phenix, Model Pet and Diapet, which are among the rarest and most sought-after of all diecasts.
Fascinating insights into company histories are provided, together with 300 photographs of rare examples of the toys themselves, in mint condition with their original boxes. A further unique feature is the inclusion of a large selection of colourful and evocative illustrations from catalogues and period trade advertisements.
For the newcomer to the collecting hobby, this book will provide an ideal guide to the history of the manufacturers active in this field, while experienced collectors will make many new discoveries.
At the end of the book, readers will find a handy glossary listing the names of many of the companies that manufactured diecast toy cars in the 1950s and 1960s.

Additional Information

c. 300 examples of diecast toy cars from the 1950s and 1960s from all over the world