VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

Just wondering what members think of the idea of having a sticky thread dedicated to recommendations and review of reference books (incl. a link to e.g. the relevant Amazon page which not only gives the ISBN and further reviews but also, in turn, links through to used copy listings).
My thoughts here are that whilst it is clear what the main reference work for e.g. Matchbox is (Stannard in case you were wondering), things are less clear cut (to me anyway) even for such a mainstream brand as Corgi. Once we start looking at smaller producers (such as DCMT) and continental manufacturers (such as Solido), I have no idea where to turn. I appreciate that there are recommendations scattered throughout VBD, but this would have the advantage of bringing them together in a single, easy-to-find location.
Good idea? Bad idea? Complete waste of time?

It's a good idea Hugh, it is very helpful to know what reference books are worth the money you pay for them with so many out of print and commanding quite high prices, Stannards as a prime example.

Yes, that sounds good. Rather than one long thread ,would it be an idea to have different topics for Matchbox, Dinky, Corgi, Benbros, etc and one for books which cover multiple brands. That way, if you're interested in Benbros for example, you can go straight to the thread you're interested in. Nick does have a "Books" section but I don't know if it needs updating and it would be good to have some reader comments on the content of the books themselves.

Being that I am mainly a Matchbox regular wheel Kid, I think the idea of having a bank of info available to all collectors of different Toy lines is an excellent idea Hugh. There are always questions to be answered, so any kind of reference library or even a listing of resources that may pertain to ANY line of obsolete Toys would be a very Positive step for all of our varied "Toy Hobby" interests. kwakers

I agree. The main section to be Sticky and within that section the threads dedicated to specific brands. There are enough books on the lesser known brands to warrant this.

Corgi.
Dinky.
Matchbox.
Spot-on.
Solido.

Are well catered for

Lone-Star.
Benbros.
Budgie.

Need a bit more searching for, so having them featured here and with access to Second Hand copies is a good idea.

Ghosthunter.

Thank you all for the positive reactions.
How about if we do it as a new sub-forum within The Lounge specifically for reference book recommendations and reviews? Since it would be a sub-forum (a folder in Windows terminology), threads for individual makes could be created within it, thereby simplifying searching.

New sub-forum created in The Lounge.
Please populate!

bit late to this but a very good idea Hugh

Is it worth having separate sub folders in the Matchbox section for RW, SF, Kingsize etc?

possibly Al I for one would like to learn more about the Speedking range , whats considered htf for instance