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I've been having a couple of interesting conversations with other Members regarding non-standard trim colours, not only gold instead of silver, but also the far more common gold/silver mix. A couple of interesting ideas have surfaced regarding both the timing and the reasons behind the latter.
In order to explore these ideas more fully, I would be most grateful if members could use this thread to report the mixed gold/silver trim models they are aware of. To get things started here's my list:
- 14b,
- 17a (maroon),
- 19a,
- 19b,
- 35a, and
- 43a (blue/grey body).
The 45a might also need adding to this list, based on what I can recall of the 'gold-trimmed' model shown on Lefora. (Did anyone save a copy of any of the photographs?)

I have had a look and can not find any images relating to those from LeFora and I now can not get into the site with my log-in details or through any of my previous shortcuts!

Ghosthunter.

Idris wrote: The 45a might also need adding to this list, based on what I can recall of the 'gold-trimmed' model shown on Lefora. (Did anyone save a copy of any of the photographs?)

Hi Hugh,

Attached are three photos of the 45a with the gold silver mix that were posted by lrrp59 Jeff back in 2012 along with his 19b. I have not seen Jeff active here for quite some time. Trust they will help.

Regards

Bert

Thank you, Bert. Yes, I think that can be counted as gold/silver mix rather than just gold.
Having just searched Lefora, two more models can be added to the mixed gold/silver trim list: 32a and 57a.

I have corrected the colour cast on the last picture.


Ghost.

I thought for sure I had one of the mixed gold 57A's. Maybe I have two?

When you take close up pictures of these toys you start to realize just how rare a truly "mint" one is....


free image hosting

I have this 20a with what looks like a gold/silver mix. J

This may or may not be close enough to the topic, delete if so desired.
I recall lots of past conversations with other collectors about these trims where we now suspect gold and silver paints were mixed. The general thought most had was that the silver paint on their model had "tarnished" or was otherwise affected by specific elements in a home (smoking contamination was often mentioned). Silver plate tarnishes, silver paint does not (but can be affected by contaminants from smoking, though it would be unlikely to look like many of these paint finishes do). That said, I can tell you that a lot of collectors (who are not tuned into such threads as this) think dingy or gold-ish silver trim is simply tarnish or smoke damaged and thinks no further on the subject.

nearlymint wrote:I have this 20a with what looks like a gold/silver mix.

That's a new one on me, J. Thank you for adding it!

Tinman wrote:...I can tell you that a lot of collectors (who are not tuned into such threads as this) think dingy or gold-ish silver trim is simply tarnish or smoke damaged and thinks no further on the subject.

If you recall, a certain Member, who no longer posts, insisted that the gold trim on the 58a was simply silver trim which had changed colour as the result of a combination of sweat and orange juice!