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Reference books

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:23 pm
by Superfast7
What reference books would you people recommend, I have some late 60s early 70s 1>75 catalogues.
what would be the best book to get, I have noticed some forum members make reference to one,
but I cant remember what it was called.

Thanks Scott.

Re: Reference books

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:12 pm
by ChFalkensteiner
Stannard is still unsurpassed when it comes to printed books about regular wheel Matchbox models. Some have made attempts to produce something better, but IMHO nobody has really succeeded.

Original examples are expensive, but there are many reprints around (albeit mostly illegal ones).

I'd say the next best thing would be to print the pages of Nick's website. The only problem with that is that it is updated frequently, and any printout would always be out of date.

Re: Reference books

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:16 pm
by fixer
As for superfast I personally find Christian's site invaluable

Re: Reference books

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:36 pm
by nickjones
we are currently updating my site but most of the pages have already been done, once we get through them all we will be adding any new unlisted variations to the bottom of the page so the listing will not be changed
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... series.htm

Re: Reference books

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:47 am
by Taniwha
The two most indispensable websites are Nick's and Christian's.

Almost all published books and numerous periodicals contain valuable/useful information. Of the paper-based publications I own, I use Mack, Ramsay and Leake most often, but the only truly indispensable books are Stannard and the Forty Years book - both are things of great beauty to behold and worth their weight in rare matchbox toys...

Cheers,
Gavin

Re: Reference books

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:25 am
by Superfast7
Thanks for all the replies, while all the info on the listed sites is excellent, sometimes it is still nice to just sit down
with a book and a cuppa. I will keep an eye out for the books mentioned.
I have had this for a while, I think I have out grown this publication :roll:

Image

Re: Reference books

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:13 am
by Taniwha
Dana Johnson is probably the least useful guide in my experience. The way it is laid out just doesn't work for me, and the guide prices are often well off the mark. The Matchbox 40 Years book is the best "sit down and read" book by far, well written and packed with great photos and information not found in other publications.

Cheers,
Gavin

Re: Reference books

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:18 pm
by Tinman
nickjones wrote:once we get through them all we will be adding any new unlisted variations to the bottom of the page so the listing will not be changed
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... series.htm
Thank God Almighty & Praise the Lord! Thank you for making this change. The always changing codes has been my only real challenge with your excellent online catalog. This is cause for celebration, I'm heading off to Happy Hour at the bar (at least tonight I have a real excuse for my consumption LOL).

Re: Reference books

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:34 pm
by kwakers
This is Great News to me also Nick, but when do we get a break from new variations to say STOP and print NOW!
In my opinion we have been adding so many new details on this Forum that I am now dizzy! I agree with what is a Great Idea, but Idris' updates, Diecast Antonin's Posts, George's odd colors and details, new casting details found by 'The Kids', and Hardy's store featuring previously unknown details, just when do we say STOP NOW?
Your statement would have been music to my ears 3 years ago Nick, as it is now....... But! Somehow we have gone into overdrive now, destroying the limits we once thought were reached in our regular wheel collections. Could it be that enough 'Old Time' collections and shoe boxes of regular wheels have been sold lately? How can I be as happy as Tinman, but so concerned at the same time. I must keep in mind that what we print out today and footnote from here on in can be updated in the future. What a thought, a 'British Diecast Lesney Regular Wheel Guide' to clutch rather than my Stannard's......WOW :D kwakers

Re: Reference books

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:57 pm
by motorman
Kwakers is on to something, and If i could throw my tuppence in aswell,

I would also love to have a hard copy of Nicks variation site............in my hand..........on paper.............something tangible...........solid...........something i can write notes on........something i can read in bed at night to annoy the wife, etc etc etc.

Nick why not think about it.........i for one would bite your arm off for a copy!