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Hello all, I've finally made the jump to the new forum. Hooray.

Anyway, has anyone had a look at the 2nd edition of Charlie Mack's Collecting Matchbox Regular Wheels 1953-1969 (blue cover)? How does it compare to the original (orange cover) edition? The orange cover book is my bible which I use to track my collection (apart from the price guide which is a bit out of date - I use Nick's guide for that). I take it with me if I'm going to auctions or swap meets so I can compare what's on offer to what I already have, especially if I need to check what box types I have (which I also record in my Mack book for reference).

If the 2nd edition is just the 1st edition with a new cover and updated prices then I'll give it a miss. But if it has improved photos and expanded/corrected variations listings then I might be interested in picking up a copy.

My understanding is that the book was rarely updated.
I have the blue cover edition and have found numerous errors in the writen descriptions, numbers and labels.
I've not seen the orange edition so can not comment on the relative quality of the images.
I have also annotated mine to show what I have and find it a good, quick and portable reference.
I use Nick's online guide for a more detailed and complete determination of type.
If you have your orange edition marked up for your uses, then you are probably set.
Enjoy!

the blue is the first edition and the orange is the second edition...at least thats the way the USA editions are

Most folks in this community are not fans of Mack books. Most of us find the only really useful book is the Stannard guide and that for accuracy and completeness nothing anywhere can beat Nick´s free online guide here

The blue one has a special place in my memory, as it sparked my interest in early Matchbox. When I was a kid, the local library had a copy, and I found it one day - and became obsessed with the grey and silver wheeled vehicles. Back in the 80s, in a small town, they were very hard to find. When I was young I found only a few, but then when I was an adult, the internet came around and made things easier to find. Now with Nick's site, the only actual book I have is the updated Mack book I found on clearance at a local store.

SMS88 wrote:Most folks in this community are not fans of Mack books. Most of us find the only really useful book is the Stannard guide and that for accuracy and completeness nothing anywhere can beat Nick´s free online guide here

I've just got the 2nd edn book and have enjoyed reading it/looking at pictures. Not had time to check accuracies or otherwise. However I must say that the pictures are in general better than the dark ones in Lesneys Matchbox toys: The regular wheels years 1953-1969.

Not in a position to splash out £140 on Stannards, rather spend the money on the actual models.

I assume you all are talking about the 2012 edition? Mine came, purchased from Amazon, within the last few weeks and it indeed has a blue cover. I can't compare it to any previous edition, as I have none.

The pictures sure are pretty... but having been "weaned" on Nick's site, I must say I'm somewhat disappointed. I was expecting something a lot more comprehensive. It is easy to use as a quick referral guide, and supposedly the pricing is circa 2012; but the lack of detail, multiple pictures from various angles etc., make me question my expenditure.

Vintage British Diecasts dot co uk rules, plain and simple.

Alan

tandyfan wrote: rather spend the money on the actual models.

The people who always say that are the ones that have never had the privilege to browse a Stannard Catalog. Once a dedicated collector sees this epic piece of work, they make it a priority purchase.

As Joe (tinman) has posted I cannot understand any Collector of the regular wheels not making every effort to hunt this Mike Stannards catalogue down.

When I started collecting I read about this book, and I made that a priority thing to obtain, I offered a lot of money to obtain it.

I did manage to buy an original copy, at the time it cost me the value of a few models, but the knowledge I got from it has got me so many wonderful models and variations. This epic work on the models not only covers the common ones just for the basic collector, and for the real dedicated collector.

George T.

Tinman wrote:

tandyfan wrote: rather spend the money on the actual models.

The people who always say that are the ones that have never had the privilege to browse a Stannard Catalog. Once a dedicated collector sees this epic piece of work, they make it a priority purchase.

'
I know enough to want one, tinman... just can't find or afford one! Maybe you have a spare you could send my way? I could remodel your kitchen in trade or something...