Lesney Products, the makers of Matchbox toys, produced several ranges but the Models of Yesteryear series is probably the most collected. Collectors of Matchbox models will search high and low to acquire that one illusive toy. Matchbox toys were originally conceived by the late Jack Odell OBE (1920-2007).
What Makes Models of Yesteryear Collectable?
Models of Yesteryear were introduced in 1956 recreating in miniature the history of transport. Few survived from the early series making them highly sought after especially if the toy is in perfect condition with its original box.
The first series were accurately finished but when the second series appeared some models featured strange and unrealistic paint finishes, something that infuriated collectors.
Some collectors will track down every vehicle in the range. Some models will have different wheels, or the colour or number of spokes or treads in a wheel will be different. Steering wheel, chassis, body, seat or label colours might vary.
The 1922 A.E.C. 'S' Type Omnibuses (Model Y23) was added to the range in 1983. The prototype appeared at trade fairs with the Black & White Scotch whisky livery. They were not intended for general sale and Matchbox did not have permission to use the livery. It was used because of delays in delivery of the intended Schweppes transfers. Whatever happened to these rare specimens?
It was soon discovered that the red ink bled into the model so it was changed to black. Schweppes rejected the black transfer because it lacked a registered copyright sign and the style of lettering was inappropriate. The transfer was redesigned as shown in the photograph.
Sometimes pre-production, or colour trial models left the Lesney factory without transfers or paint and these are also keenly sought by collectors.
An example of the many variations appears on the 1925 Allchin Traction Engine (Model Y1-1) introduced in 1956. The earliest Allchin had straight unpainted treads. It commands high prices, above £200 if mint and boxed. Later versions had angled treads, like the one in the photograph, and the last issues had smooth unpainted wheels. These are rare and a perfect example with box can cost more than £500.
The Lipton's Tea Vans (Model Y5-4) shown in the picture have an interesting story. At first the vans featured the crest of the British royal family. It was already on sale when Lesney discovered that permission to use the crest had been refused. Interest among collectors was huge and initially the model's value rose but, with so many hidden away by both trade and collectors its value soon fell!
For some collectors it is the chase that counts. Some Yesteryears were only sold in certain countries. In 1982 18,000 Arnott's Biscuits vans were distributed in Australia and the only way to get one was to find an Australian collector willing to sell!
Some collectors also search for the so-called code one, two and three models. Code one were manufactured entirely by either Lesney Products or Matchbox Toys. Code two models have been altered by a third party with the agreement of Lesney/Matchbox. Code three models have been altered without Lesney/Matchbox approval.
There are, of course, many more variations than mentioned here and plenty more reasons for collecting these nostalgic models. Membership of collectors clubs continues to rise as the early models become scarcer and nostalgia for the past increases.
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