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01/12/2008 7:29 am
Hopefully someone on the Forum got this Russo-Baltique model.
Seemed like a great deal, but it's an area I just can't afford to get into
(spending too much for Mercedes fixes!).
TG
01/12/2008 7:49 am
Tom, I have a similar one plus others (pic). Several years ago I bumped into a couple at a toy show, became interested, and wound up with these three plus some more modern models, all old enough to be marked "USSR" (or "CCCP"). I know very little about them or their value in today's market. I like their brassiness and style.
01/12/2008 8:35 am
Nice find, and I like your color combo better. This is one of my favorite ads from the era.
Larger, click once after opening.
It's a Delaunay Belleville, and I believe it's the 1909 SMT (Sa Majeste le Tsar) that's referenced on several sites regarding the marque, a favorite of royalty.
TG
01/12/2008 8:44 am
I see why it's a favorite, Tom. Thanks for posting it.
01/12/2008 9:32 am
David, I just found this incredible site that includes the Imperial Garage.
I wanted to share that Delaunay Bellville ad with the site's creator,
but it's a massive place that would take weeks to get through.
For now I'll stick with the garage!
TG
01/12/2008 9:35 am
Hey, that's a very interesting model, Tom.
01/12/2008 9:42 am
Great site, Tom. Many thanks. I've bookmarked it for later hours. Here's another- (pic)
Looking at the ad, I remembered this 1904 Delaunay Belleville in my collection of RAMI models, all based on a French collection. Not bad for about 40 years ago.
01/12/2008 11:40 am
Not bad at all David, and thanks for sharing the photo.
01/12/2008 2:47 pm
There were 5 versions of the original Russobalt
They were variously called Saratov (the city of manufacture), Auto-USSR, and a few other names. The various versions and their numbers are (most of mine are blue with black fenders):
A22 - 1915 Russobalt S24-40
A32 - 1912 Russobalt S24-40 Limousine
A35 - 1910 Russobalt S24-30 Landaulet
A36 - 1909 Russobalt S24-30 Double Phaeton
A37 - 1913 Russobalt S24-40
There were also some rare versions made with a lift off hood with engine detail. I have A35 in black, very nice but a bit too buried right now to get a pic. Also had one in red/black. And of course collectors chopped quite a few, including a LSR version with rudimentary streamlining.
02/12/2008 3:34 am
more on Russo-Balts
Harvey,
Just a slight correction to your comments - the name "Saratov" is used in russian collector circles to collectively refer to the range of diecast manufactured by a couple of factories in that city; and also to separate them from the simpler and more toy-like diecast by other factories of the period. This term doesn't so much apply to the models of the last 15 years due to their terrible quality. The Saratov label applies to all of the numbered models, and covers most of Moskvitch, VAZ, GAZ, RAF, Russo-Balt and ZIL car/minivan/light-truck ranges. In general, "Saratov" models have metal construction and complex design to accomodate multiple opening features and active suspensions.
I have the standard 5 Russo-Balts and a couple conversions, though mine are from the early 90's, after the "Axx" numbering system was abandoned, and don't have engine detail. You can see them here:
http://www.mpdiecast.net/models/rb.html
Auto-USSR, Novoexport, etc, were names of the trade entities that exported this diecast in the 70-80's (mostly to Europe).
Max
02/12/2008 2:34 pm
Max - I thought you might chime in on this one!
I have all the "Saratov" models from the Soviet era, A1 Moskvitch 408 to A41 Lada Samara, including the rare Zaporozhec.