EARLY MATCHBOX (Moko/Lesney/Matchbox)

David Green · 2021-11-20T21:10:38Z

Matchbox is a popular toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original diecast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. The Matchbox name originated in 1953 as a brand name of the British die-casting company Lesney Products, whose reputation was moulded by John W. "Jack" Odell (1920–2007), Leslie Charles Smith (1918–2005), and Rodney Smith. The name Lesney was a portmanteau of Leslie and Rodney Smith's first names. In the earliest years of the regular, or 1-75 series – well before the series actually numbered 75 models – Lesney was marketed/distributed by Moko (itself named after its founder, Moses Kohnstam). Boxes in that era mentioned this, with the text "A Moko Lesney" appearing on each. Lesney gained its independence from Moko in 1959 by buying out Moko's share in the joint enterprise, leading to a period of growth, both in sales and in size. Early models did not feature windows or interiors, were made entirely of metal, and were often about 2" (5 cm) in length. By 1968, Matchbox was the biggest-selling brand of small die-cast model cars worldwide. 1-A Road Roller, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1953, deleted in 1954. This is a British 1948 Aveling Barford Road Roller. Not the first Matchbox, as Lesney had a small line of diecast before launching the Matchbox 75 range, but is close enough to be called the beginning of quality small scale models. 1-B&C Road Roller, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1954, deleted in 1958. The 1-B was pale green while the 2-C was darker and a slightly different casting but both were of the 1953 Aveling Barford Diesel Road Roller. Here is the Moko/Lesney issue. Catalogue page showing some early models.

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1:64 Scale & Smaller

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David Green

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Topic starter 23/01/2024 6:31 pm

MB 18D Caterpillar D8 Bulldozer.

Another boxed Matchbox 75 on my shelf, this one is the fourth version made by Matchbox first issued in 1964 and discontinued in 1968. I showed the first two on this long post almost two years ago. This one is 1/102 scale, and more orange than the earlier two shown issues.