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On the back of the '24 Hours of Matchbox in Berlin', it seems there is a similar show missing from the UK events diary. The MICA Conventions are long gone and nothing has taken their place.

I organise a well established toy collectors fair in the UK which at the moment is only twice a year. I may be able to look into the possibility of doing some sort of Lesney - Matchbox show in the UK for collectors and enthusuasts to give them something to look forward to outside of the forums and other social media platforms.

Some basic guidelines and details have already been set down but what I want from the forum members are ideas based on what would you like the show to be...Auction, collectors displays, guest speaker and toy fair section for buying and selling.

Also think about where you would like the show to take place and be fare here, don't just say...''round the corner from where I live''. The event will have to be located as close to the centre of the UK to try and make it fare for travelling from all quarters of the Country, not an easy thing to achieve but worth a try!

My initial thoughts are that it will be first and foremost a toy fair function with side shows perhaps displaying collections etc, this is where your thoughts and ideas are welcomed.

I do not intend to copy any of the past MICA conventions so no snazzy speaches or expensive lunches, but refreshments will be available (venue permitting).

So, this is the plan so far, a possible Lesney - Matchbox show, somewhere in the center of the UK, with included toy fair (swapmeet for the older collectors among us!) to give collectors a day out.

Ghosthunter.

I think the "toy fare" should be a sideline to the event. Certainly have a facility for buying and selling, and hopefully get some of the specific Matchbox traders on board rather than lots of general diecast sellers
Rather make it more a proper "get together" with participants bringing their own models for discussion and/or exhibition/display.
Anything Matchbox/Lesney/Moko related should be considered
I seem to spend more time at Sandown in the cafe chatting than looking at the same models that have been on vendors stands "ad infinitum".
I think a Midlands venue would be reasonable as good motorway links to most of the UK, and adjacent airports if overseas collectors wish to visit. Some good car museums in the area that could be visited too.

Thanks Bob.

Bob and I have been discussing this already behind the scenes and he has put forward some very good points so I am looking forward to more of the same...good ideas from the members here.

Ghosthunter.

You could steal a few ideas from Jim Gallegos' excellent and popular annual event in the USA.

We should recognise that the reason the MICA conventions are no longer held is not because of any issues with the format, but is owing to the demise of the parent organisation.
I think a well-rounded, multi-faceted event will be much more attractive than a simple ;toyfair plus'.

Could I suggest that we identify the different elements that could make up such a get together, and then conduct a straw poll to find out which activities have the most support?
-The activities I can think of off the top of my head are:
- Toyfair (dealers)
- Trading (collectors)
- Lectures/talks
- Displays of collections
- Formal meal
- Auction (attendees only)
- Something to keep the other-halves entertained
- Socialising opportunities

Furthermore, if we do want to go down this road, then it would be good to have input from someone who has already organised one or more such events and therefore knows the pitfalls. (Since he is already a Member here, Jim G would be the obvious candidate.)

One final point, and that is should it be solely Lesney products, or do we go back to he original intent of this Forum and cover all vintage British diecasts?

Why does it only have to be Lesney? I love the Lesney Matchbox stuff, but also like Universal, Tyco and Mattel made Matchbox too. I know many traders tend to have mainly Lesney, but will have picked up Universal and Tyco era (perhaps even early Mattel too) and I would love to have an opportunity to check those out too.

One of the biggest things I miss most about the old MICA conventions was the room trading. This is where the sellers would open their doors. I would head to the convention with a suitcase rammed full of models in my 48-car carry cases which I would then take around the rooms to compare what I had to what was on offer. It was much better than relying on notes, and even photos. I love finding shades, of which Lesney were the best at giving them. Something you can't replicate in photo as well. But of course there were the other things. Saturday night with a meal, talk and auction were always great (something the USA Gathering also does to great effect), and there are talks etc Saturday afternoon.

As a first time thing to test the water so to speak, would a toy fair on the Sunday be good? Or shall we just stick with the in-room trading? I know the cost for renting out a room for that and associated costs involved may add up to a bit more. We just have it as a 2-day hotel in-room trading scene with talks etc, culminating in the Saturday dinner and auction. Then we can just set about heading home Sunday after breakfast. If we get a good turnout, perhaps a second year could add the Sunday toy show.

As was stated, the MICA conventions only stopped because Kevin just didn't want to do them. He was winding down his activities and wanted to retire. I know I have spoken a number of times with people who would still love to have a UK event of some sort. I would be up for attending one.

As to location, we do need to try and think of somewhere pretty central. For those wanting to travel from abroad to attend you have to think of airport locations. Birmingham and East Midlands being the more likely candidates with the majority coming from the UK looking at heading along motorways. M1/M6 get to a lot of central areas, so around the Birmingham/Leicester/Nottingham area is the more likely place to look. Perhaps Tamworth.

David Tilley wrote:Why does it only have to be Lesney? I love the Lesney Matchbox stuff, but also like Universal, Tyco and Mattel made Matchbox too. I know many traders tend to have mainly Lesney, but will have picked up Universal and Tyco era (perhaps even early Mattel too) and I would love to have an opportunity to check those out too.

Why not take it a step further? Is there a Dinky and a Corgi collectors' club/forum, we could work with?

Tinman wrote:You could steal a few ideas from Jim Gallegos' excellent and popular annual event in the USA.

Yes Jim is doing a good job for the collecting community and I awaite Jims comments on this thread.


Hugh, will you add the poll to the thread please.

Idris wrote:Could I suggest that we identify the different elements that could make up such a get together, and then conduct a straw poll to find out which activities have the most support?
-The activities I can think of off the top of my head are:
- Toyfair (dealers)
- Trading (collectors)
- Lectures/talks
- Displays of collections
- Formal meal
- Auction (attendees only)
- Something to keep the other-halves entertained
- Socialising opportunities

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Hugh, will you add the poll to the thread please.

Idris wrote:Could I suggest that we identify the different elements that could make up such a get together, and then conduct a straw poll to find out which activities have the most support?
-The activities I can think of off the top of my head are:
- Toyfair (dealers)
- Trading (collectors)
- Lectures/talks
- Displays of collections
- Formal meal
- Auction (attendees only)
- Something to keep the other-halves entertained
- Socialising opportunities

IIRC, a poll cannot be added to a thread. Instead, a thread must be started with a poll. I'm also unsure whether it is possible to have more than one poll in a single thread.
Let's give it until Sunday and see if anybody comes with any other activities. (Personally, I think we should have a question in there about scope as well, e.g. Lesney, VBD, all diecast.) I'll then try to put a poll together.

OK Hugh.

If the poll can only start the thread maybe a sub thread here would work where the poll can be done first.

I have posted the same over on Mick Flack's Moyboyz forum minus a poll but will get one added if needed. That forum is predominately the Models of Yesteryear items which are a major product line from Lesney so they are certainly included.

It is not really on the other social media platforms (facebbok etc) but in due course that is where a lot of the publicity will take place.

Ghosty.