THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERFAST MATCHBOX TOYS

When Mattel's Hotwheels toy cars exploded onto the market in 1968, venerable Matchbox Toys met the challenge with its Superfast line. The successful result is now presented in the largest book on Matchbox Toys ever produced - so big it is two volumes that celebrate 35 years of Matchbox Superfast production with over 7000 color photos and over 10,000 listed variations! The detailed, beautiful photographs are a great assistance to collectors for identification and color reference. The Variation Listings, found in Volume 1, are arranged alpha-numerically by product numbers, making location and cross-referencing easy. Photos are arranged by major product lines, with Basic Models in Volume1, and everything else from Adventure Pack to White Rose Collectibles arranged alphabetically in Volume 2. Superfast models from late 2004 and early 2005 also appear in Volume 2. Each photo includes the product number and name for easy reference to the Variation Listings. To further aid in identification there are helpful indexes by MAN number and model names (actual base names), as well as a general alphabetical index. The model variations have current market prices for each variation. Taken together, these two great books are a must for Matchbox collectors everywhere, a monumental effort by one of the world's greatest authorities! Volume 1: Over 2050 Color Photos of Basic Models Illustrated Promotionals Miniature 1-75 Basic Listing Variations Listing with Values Volume 2: Over 5000 Color Photos of Adventure Packs & Action System to World Class Models with late 2004 Models Alphabetical Index Index to Annual Basic Range Listings 1998-2004 by Issue Numbers (MW numbers) MAN Number (frame number) Listing Alphabetical Index by Actual Base Names. Read more

THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO TRANSPORT TOYS

This is a magnificent album of gorgeous double page color spreads. Everything from pedal cars, die cast, tinplate, and other materials. A useful feature is the inclusion of the same figure in each spread so that one can immediately see the comparative sizes from one to another. This is especially useful in the case of the early Matchbox which were not made to any consistent scale. Instead they wer made to fit the box! Thus the overall dimensions in inches are given instead. More modern diecast is often made in 1:50 scale (metric O guage) and 1:43 scale is close enough to look well on an O guage model train layout. Not a reference but a dream book: Especially the hard-used timplate Buddy L and pedal cars which were not made as collector's items. I well remember the Doepke line of construction equipment made in the late forties. Twelve fifty then, now extremely collectable and expensive. --El Cutachero Buy it now

MATCHBOX: THE OFFICIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

For over half a century Matchbox vehicles have entertained children and collectors of all ages. This book is a celebration of the classic toy car from its inception to today.

Take a historical journey through the past fifty years with Matchbox vehicles. Along the way, you'll read about how Matchbox cars were invented, the history of diecasting, and the large variety of vehicles produced over the years.

Have you ever wondered why certain vehicles are considered more collectible than others? Or why Matchbox cars are numbered and what those numbers mean? The answers to these questions and more can be found throughout the pages of this authoritative book.

Accompanying the informative text are photographs of more than a thousand spectacular vehicles from throughout Matchbox history and its diverse product lines. Read more

PRESSLAND'S GREAT BOOK OF TIN TOYS BY DAVID PRESSLAND

Tin toys will always probably have that special appeal, for they enjoy a particular charm that seems virtually impossible to capture today. Perhaps their appeal lies in their bright colours, adopted so that the toys were attractive to the intended young audience.

That is why a book such as this will offer many hours of fascinating browsing, looking at these toys of a by-gone era which can only be marvelled at. All the more so, since the items select are rare, in many cases being unique.

Fortunately full colour has been used throughout this book, and great care has been taken both with the original photography and with the colour reproduction.

The book is divided into three sections corresponding to particular time periods: 19th century; 1900 to 1940; 1945 to 1970. Within each period, there are appropriate sub-division, such as nautical, aeronautical, novelty, horse-drawn and automotive.

The toys depicted are not only from Great Britain, but span the world, with natural emphasis on Germany, France, Italy and Spain, plus some Japanese.

An introduction is provided for each period, but the main thrust of this book is its illustration
s, and the fulsome captions provided with each toy depicted.

This book is offers a good reflection of the times, not only of toy manufacture, but also of the objects depicted, which range from the horse-drawn vehicles of the previous century to the robots of more modern times.

Clearly this is not a cheap book, but will provide many hours of enjoyment, simply flicking through its pages. --Model Collector

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HOT WHEELS BY BOB PARKER

The appearance of Hot Wheels and their effect on the toy market has been frequently recounted: has there ever been a greater influence which resulted in toy companies throughout the world wondering how they could make their toys move faster.

This book traces the history of these famous toys. It provides a potted background, before looking at each year from 1968 to 1999, examining the main features of the year and listing the new items released.

Each of these year accounts is accompanied by excellent colour illustrations occupying nearly 394 pages of this A4 sized book.

Well over half, however, is taken up by tables of all the variation found on each of the toys and a price guide.

As far as Hot Wheels are concerned, this book will probably not be bettered.

MATCHBOX TOYS: THE TYCO YEARS 1993-1994 BY CHARLIE MACK

It is well known that Tyco acquired the Matchbox brand from Universal in 1992: perhaps for many collectors the major change came through Models of Yesteryear and The Dinky Collection, although those who collect the Miniatures and Convoys have not been denied their excitement.

Anyone who believes that all has been relatively quite on the Matchbox front should think again - as this book amply demonstrates. Despite the fact that it only covers two years, the illustrations of the models released occupy nearly 100 pages. Since on each page there is shown some ten to twenty models, the extent of the output can be gauged.

This book follows the pattern established by several published by Schiffer. Brief notes on each of the models is followed by the mass of pages of illustrations, all of them in colour.

Certainly if you collect Miniatures, this book should prove essential.--Model Collector

NOREV 1/18 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI BLACK DIECAST MODEL

More than 1.5 million models have been produced of this marque since its inception. This model shows the redesigned grille. The model offers opening doors, note the Satnav on the detailed dashboard, boot and the bonnet reveals the powerful lump. Buy it now