[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

@perrone1 

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 Tony, as I follow your many reviews of the various FM and DM models I am overwhelmed with the amount of time and research that was required on your part. Each review uncovers details about these models that I either didn't know or had forgotten. If you didn't receive these models for review with the understanding they were yours for the keeping, they should have. I'm sure there are many on this forum, like myself, that are thoroughly enjoying going back and reliving the details and reasons why we collected these cherished little gems. Thanks once again for your efforts.

Thank you VERY much Bob!  With but 2 or 3 exceptions, I was given the models for review and to keep. In addition, I was delighted to write ads and brochures for many of the models. That was a paid service. The research was fun but you're right, an awful lot of time and love went into these. Missing are so many more than what is here unfortunately.

Thanks for you kind post my friend!
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Tony,

I've appreciated your knowledge, automotive fluency and beautifully-written prose about these models since the day I discovered you in "The Lost Reviews."  As an English major who once wrote advertising copy, I remember telling my wife that I have to admit "Tony is a better writer than I am about many things automotive."

So while I am not surprised to learn that you were paid to "...to write ads and brochures for many of the models...," I am very curious about how you lucked into such a seemingly-unique opportunity.  

And I'm sure under others would like to hear about your paid automotive-model copywriting career.  Just as we enjoy hearing about the careers from people on this website Who had - or have, careers in the 1:1 automotive field.

So I'm hoping you will tell your "origin story" sometime, as to how you came to be writing ads and brochures for "The Mints."  I would also be interested in learning where those ads ran.

You are a treasure to this website, Mr Peronne!

Sincerely,

Art Deco

@art-deco 

Thank you Art. To, " I am very curious about how you lucked into such a seemingly-unique opportunity. "

Back in the late 1990's I joined this club soon after it was initially formed by Jay Olins. He hired a volunteer member, George Dill, to collate lists of The Franklin Mint and Danbury Mint precision diecast models. It was called the D4C, for DieCast Car Collectors Club. Jay needed an assistant editor to help with his monthly newsletter that went out to all members and based on several car model reviews that I had written for the letter he asked me to fill the position. I did joyfully. In the following years that Jay and I traveled together to certain functions we got to know many of the leaders and owners of diecast making and I was able to make friends with designers of both Mints and many other manufacturers as well. When new models were released, I received them for photos and reviews from the Mints and others and the early posting of them on our online venue, The Diecast Zone, helped to sell product. I was asked to do a hurry-up ad piece for the DM 1/12th scale Corvette, the Street Machine, due to in-house illness and that led to others.

For more overall info, member Randy Rusk did an extraordinary well written piece, found here: https://diecast.org/community/1_43/off-the-shelf-tony-perrone-and-the-cars-that-stayed-with-him/

For more info on Jay: https://diecast.org/hall-of-fame/

Thanks again Art.