MATCHBOX TOYS by Bruce and Diane Stoneback

[yellowfoden]

The title of the book is MATCHBOX TOYS a guide to selecting, collecting and enjoying new and vintage models. By Bruce and Diane Stoneback

I would consider this reference a coffee table type read rather than a catalogue reference book.
It is a hard cover with a nice dust jacket and quite possibly my largest Lesney Matchbox reference

It measures 335mm x 245mm and 15mm thickness and comprises 112 pages. The weight of the book is 992 grams or 2.lb 3oz.

There are over 170 or colour images and a small number of black and white images.

At the time of publication back in 1993 many of the images would have been new to many collectors. Since then most of the images have appeared on line in some form or another.

Whilst I have a large electronic digital library there is nothing quite like a good solid book with quality images and reliable text that doesn’t suffer the issues we experience with hard drives from time to time.

The book commences with references and facts from Ray Bush of UK magazine fame who recalls where it all started for the Lesney Matchbox founders.
It covers the history of Matchbox, collecting various lines, getting started in collecting, Pocket catalogues, accessories, gifts, giftsets and ephemera.

Universal and Lledo are briefly mentioned and while most of what is in this book is also in the 40 Year book there are a number references that are not widely known.

I have had my copy since it was published in 1993 and one thing that drew me to book in the first instance was the quality and size of many of the images. This book sits well with every other Lesney related publication in my library.

It was published in 1993 by New Burlington Books of London and was printed in Hong Kong

MATCHBOX TOYS by Bruce and Diane Stoneback
With the ISBN 1 854348 4180 on my copy

Try searching using
ISBN 10: 1850764417 ISBN 13: 9781850764410
Publisher: Apple Press, 1993

It appears that this book can be obtained for as little as $US5.00 to $US30.00 but being such a large size book postage may be high.
Here is a sample of just a few of the many images in the book.

Bert