I wonder about postings

[kay]

I'm not much into all the minor sub-types of boxes, especially when the differences are quite small (like the footprints below the model picture).
So I took your info as given as it it was, without knowing about the very details!

Kay

[kay]

Oh, forgot something to say:
Thanks you for the detailed info, George!!

Kay

[motorman]

Very interesting Joe and reflects the mindset of many collectors who tune in to a particular topic/scale/colour/manufacturer etc as their area of collecting. Superfast is my first love because it was what I grew up with. As I am now a much older collector I can now appreciate the appeal of the earlier Regular Wheels. I am also a fan of this scale size as it doesn't take up a lot of room, albeit as the years go by and the collection gets bigger and bigger storage will become a problem one day soon.

[kwakers]

I think Joe and the other Forum members comments have almost summed up my own feelings about late Lesney regular wheel boxes George. I have very little knowledge on any of the original boxes our toys came in past the first ten years of their printing. Phillip Bowdidge tried to get me excited about them on one of his U.S. visits, but I simply gave him a couple of originals way back then to help complete his collection. My interest has always been in these RW models, but I still have tons of their original boxes folded away for safe keeping. I have been approached about trading, swapping, selling, but they are properly kept because they are original to our store-found collection models.
I really enjoyed your Post George, I did in fact notice what I thought was duplication of a box type. I then noticed that the tiny printing seemed different than the other pictured, so assumed as always, that my master collector friend was absolutely correct and I just have no knowledge on the subject of these later boxes at all. Thank You for the very interesting Box Post, I am now looking forward to comparing your updated corrections on it in order to finally learn a bit about these. You caught all us lurkers George, but you may inspire us now to care a little more about box collecting by tricking us on purpose...... kwakers

[Tinman]

Dicks point of view on boxes pretty much sums up my own. I live in the sub tropics, there's half of a dozen common insects here that love cellulose products and feast and nest in them. Since we don't have a real "winter" here, we have insects all year long. We open up our home eight months out of the year (A/C only used in the hottest summer months) so their is no avoiding them, we just try to keep them to a minimum.

Because of the climate, I've lost many boxes to insects over the years. It became enough of a problem that I purchased a bunch of reproduction boxes for my displays and kept the real boxes flat and sealed in baggies with paper impregnated with a pesticide made for archival storage.

Like Dick, my collection centered around the models and boxes were just a bonus. I certainly enjoy seeing the boxes and (after the end of production) would attempt to acquire models with boxes but the models were and are always my main focus. As a result of that I'm no box expert and have no strong passion for the boxes as a sub hobby.

To this day, I would never pay a premium for any box, no matter how rare. Mostly because they are too temporary and fragile. They were never meant for long term existence and where I live is proof of that. I guess my environment has shaped my outlook and opinion as much as anything else.

When I started buying Matchbox, I only wanted the models and they all had work assignments. The only reason I saved so many of the boxes were because they were good storage for the models. The model went back into the box and the small Matchbox models went into cigar boxes. I typed up labels and glued them on the tops of the cigar boxes listing the contents of the models inside. This made switching out models on the HO layout easy as pie and kept everything in good order. It wasn't until 1960 or so that I started collecting them as a side hobby and by that time I saved all the boxes.

I enjoy Pat's site and use it to attempt to pair models with the correct box. I enjoy seeing the pretty box photos that George and others post. I suspect George's "trick post" was lost on everyone except those who collect and enjoy boxes as a side hobby. And then for me, there's that whole "eh" it's more of those F box's which I never warmed up towards feelings.

So, if you were wondering why so many views and no comments ... above is some detailed reasons why I looked and left without comment. That said, please never let the lack of comments or the collecting interests/habits of others dissuade you from continuing to make enlightening posts. However, next time you post a trick post, please label it as such (or as a quiz or something) so it doesn't go into the archive and confuse other collectors in the future.

[durangokid]

Everyone's personal collecting style is guided by certain (sometimes odd) parameters and I'm no exception.

Joe, How right you are on the parameters and variations being unique for every collector! That is one of the reasons that the hobby is so fun plus it generates SO much discussion and learning opportunities for those who desire.
I didn't realize that you were a train guy too -- that must have been fun. We had HO trains when I was a kid ('60's) and the track layout folded down from the wall (much smaller than yours obviously) so we didn't use up all the space in the room when it wasn't being used. Just sold most of the remaining track, buildings (Father assembled them all), cars, etc as my Father passed away a few years ago. MANY fond memories!!

George: Didn't see your posting on the first go around. I am a "scanner" like what many others have said and will look into more detail when something peaks my interest...

Bill

[nearlymint]

Hi George,
I did read and look at your post and never even noticed, I know I am not a box collector anyway but I should have noticed that.
All i can say is that I will try and be a bit more alert next time, as always I love reading your posts George.
keep up the good work.
Jason

[Johnny Pimp]

I've been an absentee poster for some time now. Work, kids and the general Matchbox malaise that I experience every few months or so are the contributing factors.

I do try to pop onto the forum often, but only check the last post dates of topics that interest me, specifically early Superfast. If there's nothing new to browse, I pop straight back off again.

However, when the stars align, I do enjoy mooching through the rest of the forum and particularly enjoy the postings of old-timer (and I say that with the utmost respect) Matchbox collectors such as Kerbside, Kwakers, Tinman and, the reason we're all here nickjones (other seasoned collectors are available).

Irrespective of the narrow focus of my collection, it's a genuine pleasure to read the postings of members with the knowledge, experience and passion of these guys.

[radar]

Very interesting comments Tinman.

RW seem to have a certain innocence and stood on their own merits. My early recollections of the 1-75 were they seemed to symbolise post war reconstruction in Britain. I am in Melbourne Australia, but our cities were flooded with post WW2 immigration. Naturally the same roadrollers and tippers and bulldozers were prevalent as farmland was turned into suburbs.

Popular culture appeared to be changing, at least in my lifetime. Love pop songs were now replaced by hard rock and psychedelia. 1968 was a seminal year world wide.
Riots in France, USA
Vietnam - where I now often work
Mexico Olympics - black power
Nixon election
Prague invasion. There
was also the unbridled excitement of each more daring Apollo moonshot.

Personally I moved from my boyhood home to a suburb closer to the city so 1969 also saw a new school and new friends.
Super fast and no disrespect to any collector seemed to represent a new era - loss of childhood innocence. Wild colours, chrome and mag wheels.
I have brought a real Mustang in a wild colour, with chrome and mags!
More than anything the RW 1-75 represent a simpler life, playing in the backyard or by the fireplace on a cold winter day.

My father probably viewed my 65 b Jag in burgundy, windows and bonnet with disdain in comparison to his few pre War Dinkys.
My younger brothers would have grown up with SF and perhaps see them as normal. But I agree. Personally 1969 is a "symbolic" cut off point for me.
And you gotta stop somewhere.

Outta respect for Ghosty I will add a metallic blue Corniche.

[Tinman]

Regular wheel models remind me of a time when the world seemed smaller and more friendly.