Helpful words and PhrasesACID FREE TISSUE PAPER - Devised for museum use to protect delicate woven fabrics and metals from oxidisation and general degradation.
APPOINTED STOCKISTS -A term used by Matchbox Toys in the late 1980s to identify retail shops which sold a good cross-section of their diecast products. Appointed Stockists were expected to maintain comprehensive displays and stocks, together with a sound knowledge of the Models of Yesteryear range.
See also: Authorised Matchbox Collectible Centres.
AUSTRALIAN" PREMIUM - A term used to describe models made with Yesteryear tools but which have not been catalogued as being part of the Models of Yesteryear range. An example is the Cobb Stagecoach which was made for Tyco Australia (hence the reference to Australia) in 1995 using the YSH03 tools. The Models of Yesteryear legend was removed from the tooling and the packaging made no reference to the Yesteryear range.
See also: Olympic Heritage Collection.
AUTHORISED MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLE CENTRES - Initially established in 1989 in Australia by Matchbox Collectibles, these retail shops provide a dedicated service for the Models of Yesteryear enthusiast. Their specialist service includes providing valuations, trading and purchasing models, display and sale of obsolete models and sales of new releases. This system has since been extended to the UK, Europe, North America, New Zealand and South Africa.
BASEPLATE - This refers to the chassis and the undersides of the model. Baseplates also normally retain the axles. The vast majority of Yesteryear models have diecast baseplates; very few have plastic types. With few exceptions, all pre1993 Yesteryears have their series number and an identifying description cast onto the baseplate. Since 1993 there has been a greater frequency of series numbers and model descriptions being tampo printed onto the baseplate. The models within the Matchbox Coca-Cola Collectibles 1 :43 Retail Series launched in 1999 had plastic baseplates. This series did not have Models of Yesteryear on their bases and was not classified as such.
See also: Components, and the 1:43 Retail Series
BASEPLATE DETAILS - information on the manufacturer, (Lesney Products 1956-1981; Matchbox International 19811992; Matchbox Collectibles 1993-to date and Mattei 1996 to date), the copyright date of the model, the MOY number, or since 1998 the Mattei product code number and the country of manufacture (England 1956-1988; Macau 1988-1990 and China 1990- to date).
BASEPLATE HOLES - Holes which have been cast either for painting purposes where the components are placed onto hooks, or to facilitate fixing the model onto a giftware item or a plinth. The reference "open" or "blind" holes indicates whether the hole is intact or has been blanked off, but with its outline still visible.
See: Screw Hole.
BASEPLATE LETTERING - Since 1993 Yesteryear models bear the legend 'Matchbox Collectibles', as spelt in Australia and the USA. The more usual English spelling has an 'a' instead of an 'i '. Both versions are correct. A good example is the legend on the YGB 14 'Kirin' which was spelt 'Matchbox Collectables' .
THE BECKENHAM HOSPITAL APPEAL MODELS - Eighteen uniquely coloured Models of Yesteryear models made for the organiser of the Beckenham Hospital Radio Appeal by Lesney Products in 1978. The models were auctioned at Sotheby's in London and the proceeds were used to install a radio system in the hospital. The majority of the Beckenham models are presently in a large collection in the USA. Their status classification is Code 4.
See also: Code 4.
BLISTER PACKS- A packaging term which describes a model that has been encased in a thin moulded piece of clear styrene and then glued to a backing card. Yesteryear blister packs were only sold in North America. The system had many advantages to retailers, most notably that the pack could be easily displayed on racks. However, they have never been popular with collectors who dislike damaging the packaging, which was necessary to examine a model.
BODY- comprises the components that make up the majority of the upper part ofthe model, including the bonnet, boot, roof (where they are the same colour) and sides.
BOOT - The British term for the rear storage compartment of a car; called a "trunk" in North America. Should not be confused with a luggage trunk as featured on the Y 11- 3 1938 Lagonda.
BOSSES - This is the term used to describe (often) raised holes, cast into the baseplates of models that are there to accept mounting screws. These are found on giftware models and others which were affixed to mounting bases for packaging or display purposes.
There are three main types: Hollow bosses occur where the central hole is complete; where the central hole is partially filled in and where it is entirely filled in. These three types can assist the collector in dating a model.
BOX TYPES-In the tables the 'Box Type' column provides information on the box that originally protected the model.
BRACE- A brace is a web of metal added to a component for strengthening purposes. They are normally found behind such areas as number plates, or the inside of the wheels. They are often added to the tooling at the preproduction stage, when any casting weaknesses have revealed themselves. An example is the front bumper brace found on all issues of the Y3 Tram except Issue 1.
CANOPY-A protective roof which often has an unsupported front edge. An example can be found on the Y 13 -3 Crossley.
CASTING -Jack Odell was an innovator of the pressure fed diecasting method. Very detailed components could be produced compared with the centrifugal gravity fed casting process. Pressure casting was achieved by forcing the molten zinc-alloy, known as 'Mazak' into the moulds by compressed air and hydraulics. A heated reservoir of molten zinc-alloy was kept at
the appropriate temperature at each die casting machine. A large heated tank was fed with zinc-alloy ingots, and during each shift an operator serviced a group of four or five diecasting machine reservoirs with molten metal.
CASTINGS- This refers to the diecast components used to construct a model. The unpainted castings would be checked for quality and accuracy before progressing to the next stage of production.
See also: Cold Cast
CHARITY MODELS OF YESTERYEAR-The first Code 1 Charity model was released in 1995; YCH01 1912 Ford Model T for the Australian 'Ronald McDonald's House' charity. A donation was given to the charity for each model sold. Other Code I charity models followed: in 1996 the YCH02 McDonald's Twin Set featured a Ford Model TT (YCH02/l) and a Ford Model A (YCH02/2); in 1997 the YCH04 Morris van was released with the livery of 'Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (R.S.P.C.A.); in 1998 there were six more Ronald McDonald models, YCH06 to YCH11. The YCH03 was to have been a white 1912 Ford Model T decorated with red poppies 'British Legion', but it was postponed indefinitely. Thus number YCH05 has not been issued.
See also: The Beckenham Appeal Models.
CHASSIS-Refers to the main frame of a vehicle. In vintage vehicles the lower frame is known as "chassis frame". The chassis component normally incorporates the baseplate, mudguards and sometimes the running boards. Usually Yesteryear chassis are diecast. However some have part of the chassis made from plastic eg YGB 18.
See also: The 1: 43 Retail Series.
CHINA-Facilities were opened in China in 1990 to replace the Macau production units. Baseplates and boxes, more often than not, reflect the area of manufacture. A column in the schedules shows the three areas of manufacture: England, Macau and China.
CHINESE SIX- Six Yesteryear models, five of which had pre-1990 liveries were made at the China factory and released in July 1991. Originally the six models were made as a special order for Poland. However, because of political and economic problems in Poland the order was cancelled. The majority of the cancelled order was sold through Woolworths and Tesco supermarkets in the UK.
Their significance was that Matchbox Toys had re-issued obsolete models which had originally been made in Macau and which now had 'Made in China' baseplates. They also packaged these re-runs in J2 maroon boxes, marked 'Made in China. The production run of each model was only 5000 and are therefore very collectable.
The six models were:
Y2-4 1930 Bentley in blue
Y4-4 1930 Duesenberg in silver and blue
Y14-4 1935 E.R.A. in blue and yellow
Y 19-3 1929 Morris Cowley "Brasso"
Y22-1 1930 Model 'A' "Cherry Blossom"
Y22-l 1930 Model 'A' "Lyons' Tea"
CLEAR LABEL- Not dissimilar to a transfer, but applied by heat and pressure. This form of decoration known as 'Impressa!' labelling is used when the model's surface is too large, or too curved for the tampo printing process. The Y3 7I Garrett Steam Lorry has a cab with too severe a curve and it has to be decorated with a clear label. See also: Tampo Printing, and Transfers.
CODE 1- "Models that have been manufactured in their entirety by Matchbox and have been distributed for sale to the general public through retail outlets, or by mail order."
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CODE 2- " Models that were originally of a Code 1 status, but whose livery, or decorations, have been altered, removed, or replaced by a third party with the full agreement of Matchbox; OR where a Code I model has not been made available to the general public through normal retail outlets or by mail order."
CODE 3-" Models that were originally of Code I status, but whose livery or decorations have been altered, removed, or replaced by a third party without the agreement and acknowledgement of Matchbox."
These models fall outside the control of the owner of the Models of Yesteryear brand and so are no longer classified as Models of Yesteryear.
CODE 4-" Presentation, commemorative or one-off models which have been produced on Matchbox premises, under Matchbox management supervision and which were never intended to be released to the general public or collectors market."
COLD CAST- The use of plastic parts has always been unpopular with collectors. Realising this, Matchbox Collectibles adopted the technique of reproducing realistic loads made from a porcelain material. The first item to be featured in the Models of Yesteryear range was the spruce tree fitted to the YSCO I Scania Vabis bus. The sculptured tree was made from clay and then covered in rubber mould. The clay sculpture is then removed from the rubber mould. A hard resin substance is then poured into the rubber mould; this creates the 'master', which in tum is covered in rubber to make further moulds. Then a liquid containing elements of porcelain 'slip' are poured in. There is no need for heat! Once the liquid has hardened, the mould is peeled off leaving the tree ready for painting. The advantage of the cold cast method is that it enabled Matchbox Collectibles to use loads and vehicle features which could be produced inexpensively in low numbers. All the cold cast loads and features such as those on the Steam Powered series are painted by hand.
COPYRIGHT MARK © -With the exception of some models in the first and early second series, most Models of Yesteryear models have a complete copyright date on the baseplate i.e. a © followed by a four digit date. This date records when the design of the model was first copyrighted. It was not necessarily the year it was introduced into the range. A well known example is the Y 14-3 Stutz Bearcat which had © 1973 on its baseplate, but wasn't released until 1974! In the 1970s Lesney Products's policy was to leave off the last digit of the date until the model was in production. These early preproduction models with incomplete dates, eg 197-, or without the model number, eg Y-, are very collectible and command high prices. Production models fitted with baseplates with different copyright dates, are collectible. For example the Y34 "Red Crown" Tanker was issued with five different baseplates; three of which had different copyright dates! During the mid 1990s Matchbox Collectibles began to replace some of the © symbols with a ® registration symbol.
See also: Registration Marks
COLLAR - A short hollow tube which holds and disguises the screw enabling the model to be more discreetly attached to an item of gift ware, such as a porcelain dish or, as in the Taste of France series, to plastic plinths.
Also known as a 'Bush' or a 'Spacer'.
THE COLLECTION- The first officially Matchbox Toys endorsed book published in 1985, chronicling the Models of Yesteryear range since its launch in 1956. Four supplements
followed, the last one being published in 1991 containing information on the then new releases. Now out of print.
COLLECTORS EDITlON- Limited Edition Models of Yesteryear models sold by Matchbox Collectibles under the 'Matchbox Exclusive' banner. Introduced in 1997 with the YY27/SC 1922 Foden Steam Wagon 'Parker & Co' and the YY35/SB 1922 Scania Vabis Bus 'Snow Mountain Inn Ski Lodge'.
See also: Limited Edition.
COMPONENTS-A generic term to describe the various finished parts which together form a model.
CONNOISSEUR SET- A limited issue presentation set released in 1984, comprising six re-issued models which had been in the range during the 1960s and early 1970s. The initial
price was just under £70. Because this was a high price in 1984, sales were poor, despite Matchbox Toys offering a free Y25 Renault 'James Neale' for every set sold. Each set was presented in a polished mahogany box and came with a numbered certificate. Matchbox Toys even offered to refund the full purchase price after five years to customers who had bought directly from them. Only 34,000 sets were produced. The six models are:
YI-2 1911 Ford Model "T" in black.
Y3-2 1910 Benz Limousine in black and blue.
Y 4-3 1909 Opel Coupe in red.
Y 11- 2 1912 Packard Landaulet in cream and brown.
Y13-2 1911 Daimler in mid blue and powder blue
Y14-2 1911 Maxwell Roadster in cream and green.
COPYRIGHT MARK © -With the exception of some models in the first and early second series, most Models of Yesteryear models have a complete copyright date on the baseplate i.e. a © followed by a four digit date. This date records when the design of the model was first copyrighted. It was not necessarily the year it was introduced into the range. A well known example is the Y 14-3 Stutz Bearcat which had © 1973 on its baseplate, but wasn't released until 1974! In the 1970s Lesney Products's policy was to leave off the last digit of the date until the model was in production. These early preproduction models with incomplete dates, eg 197-, or without the model number, eg Y-, are very collectible and command high prices. Production models fitted with baseplates with different copyright dates, are collectible. For example the Y34 "Red Crown" Tanker was issued with five different baseplates; three of which had different copyright dates! During the mid 1990s Matchbox Collectibles began to replace some of the © symbols with a ® registration symbol.
See also: Registration Marks
DECAL- Decal is an alternative word to transfer. Decals are printed labels which are produced on a special type of paper known as release paper. When wet, this release paper allows the decal to slide off and be placed onto a model.
See also: Transfer
DIE CASTING- Diecasting is the method of producing a cast shape by introducing molten metal into a die or mould.
DIES-Refers to the tools from which model components are cast. Also known as moulds.
DIFFICULT (D)-One of the five rarity categories used throughout the book described as being not easy to find and with a small price premium.
DIORAMA- This is a modelling term referring to the practice of producing a two or three dimensional scene in a realistic manner. Matchbox Toys adopted this idea for some of the Yesteryear models in the late 1980s. Box type "N" have a cardboard diorama insert, whilst some 11 type boxes had a plastic diorama.
EJECTOR PIN IMPRESSIONS -See: Bosses
EJECTOR RINGS- See: Bosses
ENHANCED DETAIL This term was first used by Matchbox Toys to describe the extra tampo printed detailing given to several of the models released in the USA by Matchbox Toys USA in 1990 as the Great Motor Cars of the Century offer. Although the offer was an abject failure, the models with their extra enhanced detailing were acclaimed in several model car publications and appreciated by collectors. That standard of enhancement pales into insignificance when compared with the ever rising standards, first achieved by Matchbox Collectibles in 1993 Examples are the YSHO 1 1900 Gypsy Caravan and the YSFE-O 1 1930 Ahrens-Fox Quad Fire Engine. See also: Great Motor Cars of the Century.
ESTIMATE- Where actual production figures are unknown an estimated figure has been included. This is denoted by a capital 'E'.
EXTREMELY RARE (ER)-One of five rarity categories used throughout the book described as exceptionally highly priced and very seldom seen for sale.
FETTLING - This word describes the process by which excess metal is removed from the unpainted castings by tumbling them in a rotating drum. The abrasive action of this motion removes fine metal, but leaves the more robust actual castings intact.
See also: Flashing.
FIRST SERIES- The Models of Yesteryear range was introduced in 1956 and by 1961 there were sixteen models in the range. At that time Lesney adopted the policy of having a maximum of sixteen models in the range at anyone time. Consequently, new models always replaced older ones which were withdrawn. New models were given the same series numbers as the models which they replaced. First series models are to be found in box types "A" to "D3".
FLASHING- When a component is cast it tends to retain excess metal in small cavities, or on its edges. This excess is known as flash, or flashing and is normally removed during the tumbling process. Sometimes this process fails to remove flash and it remains on the finished model.
See also: Fettling.
FORMERS- Two part thin plastic holders moulded to the approximate shape of the individual model; so that with protective tissue paper, the model sits 'snugly' into them. The formers are inserted into a cardboard 'model' box and the whole lot placed into a cardboard 'Mailer box', thus giving additional protection during transit.
FRAMED CABINET-The models offered by Matchbox Toys as an inducement to collectors to complete their 'Passport' were:
Y15-3 1920 Preston Tram 'London Transport', released in 1988.
Y8-5 1917 Yorkshire Steam Wagon 'Samuel Smith', released in 1989.
Y5-5 1929 Leyland Titan Bus 'Ashton upon Lyne', released in 1990. |
