England Home of Matchbox

[matchboxbaas]

I have been collecting Matchbox for a long time and have an extensive collection. It was larger until I divorced and sold off what wasn't on display. My bucket list has always been to visit England. That will happen this September. I will be in London September 20-23, until I move on to other points of Europe. I was hoping to get some advise for everything Matchbox during my visit. I was told by one eBay seller that there isn't much left. Hopefully, he is wrong. There has to be some shops, museums, or the like. Please advise. John (Michigan, USA)

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Nice to hear you want to visit the UK. Since the demise of MICA there does not seem to be any Matchbox models specific museum at the moment. There are plenty of car museums that have toy sections which are likely to include examples of Matchbox models, but I don't think many (or any), will be arranged to show the history of these models, they tend to be displayed randomly to give some idea of the type of toy cars available during certain Years of Children growing up.

Collector's models shops do exist but not in the same numbers as there used to be, probably because of the internet taking over as a main supplier for models. To find these in the areas you are visiting will require some Googling on a smartphone while you are travelling or on a computer at the location you are staying at, friend's house or hotel.

After your visit do please come back onto the forum and tell us of your visit and how you got on regards the models.

Good luck.

Ghosthunter.

[fixer]

Sandown park fair is on the 16th if your over then, not far from London to the south
we usually have a little get together there and you would be most welcome

[Rob]

What do you collect in Matchbox John...reg wheels, MoY, superfast? cheers Rob.

[matchboxbaas]

Thanks for the info, gents. I won't be there in time for the 16th show. I arrive on the 20th for 4 days. I will definitely look up some shops in the London area. Looks like I planned my trip a decade too late. My collection is largely regular wheels and superfast models of Volvo, Ford, Dodge and MB38 Model A delivery trucks. Also includes London and airport buses, some yesteryear pickups and 2 trains, Disney buses, race convoys, '56 Ford pickups and chevy vans. They were all on display until the divorce. They now rest comfortably in their display cases, waiting for their new wall.