Help! New member seeking assistance

[Howesy]

Hello Please forgive my naivety, but my mum and dad have just given me loads of old matchbox/lesney/corgi toys etc.... that I remember playing with as a child (I am now 52). The ones I remember the most are very playworn (some not so bad) and I was going to put them on Ebay. However, I learned that there are some that may be 'Moko'? but cannot work out how you tell the difference between Lesney and Moko for those old cars numbered 1-75? Can someone help me please? I am confused about which category to put them in on Ebay. Many thanks
Lynn

[tjlglass]

Take good pictures as they themself will help sell em. Moko and Lesney are in the same section so all will see anyway.

[Idris]

I would strongly suggest taking some group shots and posting them on the Forum. That way we can not only identify the models for you, but also let you know whether you have anything out of the ordinary (= potentially valuable).
You might also find Nick's catalogue pages a useful resource. (When you list on Ebay, it is worth taking the time to examine each model in detail and work out which variation it is. Add this information to your listing title and you will get higher hammar prices.)
Please be wary of anyone offering to "take them off you hands" or asking for a price on a specific model until you have done your homework and understand exactly what you have and what its true market value is.
Where are you based?

[Howesy]

Hello Idris,
Thank you for your reply. I am based in Berkshire. I appreciate your help and have been trying to do some research on the cars. Is there anyway of knowing whether a car is 'Moko' or not? I have seen some sold on ebay, and there is nothing indicated on their base?
I will try to get some pics together and will also look at the catalogue you suggested.
Many thanks

[Idris]

Is there anyway of knowing whether a car is 'Moko' or not? I have seen some sold on ebay, and there is nothing indicated on their base?

Moko and Lesney were two separate companies. In the beginning, Lesney had the manufacturing capability but no distribution network, Moko (the trading name of a toy factors founded by Moses Kohnstram in 1875) was the exact opposite, so the two joined forces with Lesney producing the vehicles (which only ever carried the Lesney name) and Moko handling distribution and sales (reflected by the boxes stating the contents to be a Moko Lesney product). Eventually Lesney outgrew Moko and bought their way out of the distribution contract by actually purchasing Moko outright. From then on, the models were sold in boxes proclaiming "A Lesney Product".
(Actually, that bit about the models not carrying the Moko name isn't quite true: the drawbar of the small coronation coach is embossed "A Moko toy by Lesney")

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hello Howesy.

I am based in Buckinghamshire, next door to Berkshire, send me a Private Message and we'll have a chat.

Ghosty.

[motorman]

Hello Howesy.

I am based in Buckinghamshire, next door to Berkshire, send me a Private Message and we'll have a chat.

Ghosty.

That could prove an expensive phone call as you will need to get passed Marmiduke, thats Ghosty's Butler by the way, who will send one of the servant boys to establish whereabouts of Ghosty in the Manor house or on the estate grounds, there after the phone will require to be presented to Ghosty on a solid silver tray with an ultra rare Orchid in a small solid silver vase and a glass of Champagne to help his vocal chords loosen up. Thereafter you will have 5 seconds to state your case before you will be rudely interupted by the unobtainable tone.

Ghosty will thereafter shoot some Partridge for supper and then return to the Grand Greenhouse to admire this years Grape and Pineapple crop.

Oh how the other half live!!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Alex, you are something else, that is brilliant

Ghosty.

[Howesy]

Thanks again Idris,

So, when people are selling them as 'Moko' on ebay, you have no way of knowing whether they really are or not, unless they have the box?

Ghosty - thank you for the offer, and when I have worked out how to send a PM, I will send one!

thank you both for your help - I am looking through the catalogue on here and learning quite a bit!

lynn

[nickjones]

The models made before 1960 were moko lesney, post 1960 they were just lesney, but you should include moko in the ebay title as people that only search for moko will not see your auctions so they should all be called 'moko lesney matchbox' to cover all of the bases and get you maximum number of bids and the highest price.