Humber Super Snipe from toy to white metal collectable ........

Following on from a previous post on the De Soto made by The Sun Motor Company. Number three in their line came from an unusual source.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/49760631536/in/photostream/

The original was made by The Chad Valley Company Limited in the mid 1950’s under their ‘A Wee Kintoy’ brand this model formed part of a series of toy cars to promote Rootes cars and were sold at their dealerships.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/49761619368/in/photostream/

All these toy cars were powered by a clockwork motor and the hole for the key is clear to see in the image above.

The body casting is excellent and even the sunroof is represented. Wheels are rubber with a separate hub piece. Overall the representation is more on the lines of a model than a toy. No small wonder then that this casting was used as the basis for a master from which a collectors model was produced. The collectors model included a detailed interior, meaning no room for the clockwork motor, and clear glazing. The collectors version was issued in 1984 by The Sun Motor Company as number 103.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/49761633653/in/photostream/

This is an announcement made in Model Auto Review Colour Extra for the collectors version based on the Chad Valley Humber Super Snipe to be issued in 1984 made by The Sun Motor Company.

Please note the use of the Chad Valley model in their images.

A bit of information regarding the Chad Valley company.

The early history of this company is unknown, but it is thought to have been in business, in Birmingham, by 1820. Set up by Anthony Bunn Johnson, the 'company was originally a printing and bookbinding business. In 1897 the company moved to Harbourne and became Johnson Brothers (Harbourne) Ltd. The new factory, known as The Chad Valley Works, was named after a stream nearby. They later took the name of Chad Valley as their registered trademark. As well as selling stationery, the company also started to produce cardboard games and toys, the range of which was gradually increased. Johnson Brothers may have made brass postal scales as well. Then in 1920 the soft toy business relocated to Wellington, Shropshire, and a new factory called The Wrekin Toy Works. The firm known as The Chad Valley Co Ltd came about when the three factories were merged into one.

Listed Exhibitor at the  British Industries Fair in 1929. Manufacturers of Indoor Games and Toys, Puzzles and Parlour Pastimes for Amusement, Kindergarten, and Advertising purposes; Hygienic Textile Toys; "Bambina", "Mabel Lucie Attwell" and "Caresse" Felt and Velvet Dolls, Calendars, Stationery Sundries. 

1951 The company acquired the metal toy manufacturing firm of Hall and Lane.

Looks like the original company ceased to exist in 1978 when they were taken over by Palitoy who them self's closed for business in 1984.

From 1988 to present Chad Valley was just a name with no production facilities in the UK and became a trade name for a number of retail organisations:

1988 Woolworth's.

2009 acquired by the Home Retail Group for approximately £5 million.

2016 The trade name became part of Sainsbury's following the purchase of Home Retail Group.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Chad_Valley_Co

Chris