Description
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.
About the Author
Andrew Ralston received his first Dinky Toy car, a Riley, when he was about five years old, and ever since has been passionately interested in anything to do with cars. He has built up an extensive collection of models, with a preference for the more unusual items, and has written many articles on the subject for magazines in Britain and the USA. Educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford, Andrew is a teacher by profession and has also published numerous textbooks on the English language. He lives in Glasgow with his wife, Hazel, and daughter, Miranda.
Reviews
This book provides a comprehensive overview of diecast toy cars made during these two very productive decades Many companies shown may be generally forgotten today but their products are still sought after. The pages feature models from firms like Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox, Marlin, GAMA, Solido, Tenno and Tootsietoy. This book brings back memories of the toys of these eras.- Model Auto Review. The latest reprint in Veloce's The Collector's Guide series. [This] paperback by Andrew Ralston concentrates on miniatures from the 1950s and '60s. Images are a combination of period photos and large-scale shots, with price guides. - Classic and Sports Car. It's time to reminisce with this book. It's not only full-sized cars that have moved on since your childhood.- Practical Classics. Another Veloce classic back in print after a long absence. A comprehensive look at diecast toy cars of the 1950s/60s, including Dinky, Corgi, Spot-On, Matchbox, Tenko, Solido and Tootsietoy as well as many lesser-known brands from around the world. Hundreds of photos (including boxes) with much detailed information and guide prices together with many evocative period illustrations from catalogues and advertisements. A great read and an ideal introduction to these classic toys while being a valuable resource for the experienced collector. - Club Lotus News. Ten years ago, this book appeared for the first time and it has now been reprinted. The format is slightly smaller, but the content is the same and gives a broad overview of models from the fifties and sixties. - Auto in Miniature. Veloce has just reprinted its collector's guide to Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s. First published in 2009, its 128 pages are crammed full of photos and descriptions of the classic decants we know and love, from all over the world. Manufacturers have produced a wide range of miniature American prototype vehicles, most of which were relatively new when first released. Covering car and truck models from the UK, Europe, America, Japan and then the Eastern Bloc, each chapter has a description of how the market developed during the period and which companies were active. There follows a gallery of mint examples of typical models produced by each company, many of which, not surprisingly, are American vehicles. What's interesting is how many can still be found, though conditions vary from mint to well played with. It demonstrates effectively how many were produced. Well worth a read. - Classic American. -- 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 ... This book is a triumph of nostalgia, a welcome reminder of earlier, more gentle and less troubled times. Absolutely superb! - www.books-monthly.co.uk
Book Information
ISBN 9781787111172
Author Anderw Ralston
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Veloce
Publisher David & Charles
About the Author
Andrew Ralston received his first Dinky Toy car, a Riley, when he was about five years old, and ever since has been passionately interested in anything to do with cars. He has built up an extensive collection of models, with a preference for the more unusual items, and has written many articles on the subject for magazines in Britain and the USA. Educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford, Andrew is a teacher by profession and has also published numerous textbooks on the English language. He lives in Glasgow with his wife, Hazel, and daughter, Miranda.
Reviews
This book provides a comprehensive overview of diecast toy cars made during these two very productive decades Many companies shown may be generally forgotten today but their products are still sought after. The pages feature models from firms like Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox, Marlin, GAMA, Solido, Tenno and Tootsietoy. This book brings back memories of the toys of these eras.- Model Auto Review. The latest reprint in Veloce's The Collector's Guide series. [This] paperback by Andrew Ralston concentrates on miniatures from the 1950s and '60s. Images are a combination of period photos and large-scale shots, with price guides. - Classic and Sports Car. It's time to reminisce with this book. It's not only full-sized cars that have moved on since your childhood.- Practical Classics. Another Veloce classic back in print after a long absence. A comprehensive look at diecast toy cars of the 1950s/60s, including Dinky, Corgi, Spot-On, Matchbox, Tenko, Solido and Tootsietoy as well as many lesser-known brands from around the world. Hundreds of photos (including boxes) with much detailed information and guide prices together with many evocative period illustrations from catalogues and advertisements. A great read and an ideal introduction to these classic toys while being a valuable resource for the experienced collector. - Club Lotus News. Ten years ago, this book appeared for the first time and it has now been reprinted. The format is slightly smaller, but the content is the same and gives a broad overview of models from the fifties and sixties. - Auto in Miniature. Veloce has just reprinted its collector's guide to Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s. First published in 2009, its 128 pages are crammed full of photos and descriptions of the classic decants we know and love, from all over the world. Manufacturers have produced a wide range of miniature American prototype vehicles, most of which were relatively new when first released. Covering car and truck models from the UK, Europe, America, Japan and then the Eastern Bloc, each chapter has a description of how the market developed during the period and which companies were active. There follows a gallery of mint examples of typical models produced by each company, many of which, not surprisingly, are American vehicles. What's interesting is how many can still be found, though conditions vary from mint to well played with. It demonstrates effectively how many were produced. Well worth a read. - Classic American. -- 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 ... This book is a triumph of nostalgia, a welcome reminder of earlier, more gentle and less troubled times. Absolutely superb! - www.books-monthly.co.uk
Book Information
ISBN 9781787111172
Author Anderw Ralston
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Veloce
Publisher David & Charles
