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saw this model with a red suspension slide...so when it arrived i noticed the label backgrounds were different



this side the label has a purple background



this one has a red background



i checked some other #57 models with labels and i have one other with a red label and purple label

A very limited number of labels with purple background came right out of the factory that way Brad, but was never noted in any of our old collector's Guides. Just like the #20 Taxis, when we opened up their brand new boxes in the late 60s, once in a while the background colors of both these Lesney models were quite different from the stock label background colors we were used to. I do find it odd that both your Fire Trucks have only one of the purple background labels on them, perhaps indicating only one side label was applied at a particular station of production. If I had not found pairs of these purple Labels 45 years ago on a limited number of models, these background differences on yours today would logically be written off to sunfade of one side when they were in their store displays. Very nice to note these odd labels so many years later Brad.......kwakers

Since the yellow colour of the letters is almost white on that label, I believe it is most probably a sunfade. I have seen similar phenomena on other models, mostly on playworn ones.

The reason for the shield label not being affected might be that only part of the model was exposed to sunlight while the rest of it was covered by something. Perhaps the model stood in a shop window with the shield label being protected from the sun by another model standing beside it?

Nice to have regardless Dan with the red slide - can't recall ever having seen that colour slide before except in photos.

Cheers,
Gavin

i have a MIB one with one red and one purple...also one that looks to be purple on both sides

If the Kent Fire Brigade label is a sun fade as some have suggested, i would have expected to see a similar level of sun fading to the door labels and yet they look pristine??

I realise Christian has tried to suggest the shield label may have been covered some how but if the model was situated in one place for so long to have faded the fire Brigade label i would have expected to see some degradation on the shield label.

Hi Dan,

I agree with motorman. The shield should have faded at the same rate. Unless it was also hidden from sunlight. I'm thinking another case of pressmen sleeping on the job. Nice model!

Jeff

Lrrp59 wrote:Hi Dan,

I agree with motorman. The shield should have faded at the same rate. Unless it was also hidden from sunlight. I'm thinking another case of pressmen sleeping on the job. Nice model!

Jeff

I think it is extremely unlikely that the shield label was covered over in a sun lit display to such an extent that it showed no fading what so ever. IMHO

motorman wrote:

Lrrp59 wrote:Hi Dan,

I agree with motorman. The shield should have faded at the same rate. Unless it was also hidden from sunlight. I'm thinking another case of pressmen sleeping on the job. Nice model!

Jeff

I think it is extremely unlikely that the shield label was covered over in a sun lit display to such an extent that it showed no fading what so ever. IMHO

Totally agree. Always best to explore all possible avenues. So how much was that Muria again?

Jeff

Don't go there, it will set Reg off.....................between you and me it was £1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but if you could keep that quiet as i dont like to discuss it publicly.