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The UK Daily Telegraph has written a obituary To Rodney Smith, who passed away on the 20th-7 -2013.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituar ... Smith.html

All about the start of "Matchbox Toys" Lesney. Very interesting.

George T.

Seemed like a nice chap..Did anyone here meet him and get any gems of information?...RIP Rodney.I hope you where aware of what you started..

Very nice obit. I had no idea Rodney Smith was responsible for Morestone/Budgie. Makes me silently wonder about the relationship the Smiths really had, what with Budgie making so many similar models. (some of which are still confused by new collectors). Seems to me to be a great way to piss off your old pal.

ford_a_30 wrote:Very nice obit. I had no idea Rodney Smith was responsible for Morestone/Budgie. Makes me silently wonder about the relationship the Smiths really had, what with Budgie making so many similar models. (some of which are still confused by new collectors). Seems to me to be a great way to piss off your old pal.

Morestone was originally called Morris & Stone, They were based in Stoke Newington which is a mile or so from Lesneys Shacklewell Lane factory.
When Lesney built their complex on the Hackney marshes at Eastway rd and Lee Conservancy rd Morestone opened a factory which I believe was in Wallis road which is quite close to the Lesney complex.

There was a big article in the last yearly MICA mag which told the story of Rodney. They did a full depth interview with him ( just in time by the looks) of how they all started and some great revelations came out. I'll try to scan the article and post here when I get a chance.

Moyboy wrote:There was a big article in the last yearly MICA mag which told the story of Rodney. They did a full depth interview with him ( just in time by the looks) of how they all started and some great revelations came out. I'll try to scan the article and post here when I get a chance.

That would be great, would love to read the article!

Moyboy wrote:There was a big article in the last yearly MICA mag which told the story of Rodney. They did a full depth interview with him ( just in time by the looks) of how they all started and some great revelations came out. I'll try to scan the article and post here when I get a chance.

Just noticed this again after almost four years. It seems there has not been a chance so far .

As I have recently scanned the article referred to anyway, it is perhaps appropriate for me to post it here as well, for the benefit of those who might still find it interesting:

Thank's Christian, I had not seen it so is of benefit already.

Ghosthunter.

Same here Ghosty, thanks for showing
Gary

Amazing! Only this morning I received an e-mail from someone else with this same article attached. I had not seen it previously.