Boxes & Various Models

1-75 Boxes

As well as the many model variations, boxes also come in an array of styles. Rather than list the different types I would refer you to fcarnaham.com. Click on the small word "images" at the top left hand corner for a drop down menu. An excellent site worth many hours of visiting.

Below there are photos of some of the box variations I have collected. Refer back to Frank Carnahams page above for more definitive descriptions. A good reference book is Charlie Mack's "The Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys" Schiffer Pub, from which the following is taken.

TYPE A - Moko Lesney with Script Lettering (1953 - 1954)

Only the first seven models were issued with this box. The word "MOKO" appears in script lettering, while "LESNEY" is in block letters. All are quite rare. Photo courtesy of Roger Gray 6/30/99, cf. reproduction series A, taken from Frank Carnahan website.

A

TYPE B - Moko Lesney with Script Lettering (1954 - 1960)

Basically the same as Type A box, but the word "MOKO" is now in block letters. No real rare variations stand out, so each box is worth as much as any other.

B1

B2

B3

B4

B5

TYPE C - Lesney Line Drawing Box (1961)

issued only in 1961, the box is still basically the same as the type before it. The scroll though now omits the "MOKO" name leaving only a "LESNEY Product". Most boxes of this type can be difficult to obtain due to the short issue period.

C

TYPE D - "MATCHBOX SERIES" in arc (1961 - 1965)

These are the first regular wheel boxes to have full colour pictures on the box. Some first issue models made it to this series and some of the rarest boxes fall into this group.

Difficult boxes to obtain include 6B Quarry Truck, 25B Volkswagen, 26 Military Lorry and 71 Army Water Truck.

Very rare boxes include 47 Trojan Tea Van, 51 Albion Chieftan, 53 Aston Martin, 55 DUKW, 58 BEA Coach and 66 Citroen DS.

D

TYPE E - "MATCHBOX" in arc (1965 - 1968)

Similar in design to the type before it, the word SERIES now moves under the word MATCHBOX and in much smaller type. Many of the boxes show pre-production coloured models which never matched the models inside.

Difficult boxes to obtain include 22 Pontiac (blue), 36 Opel Diplomat (both green ones), and 44 Rolls Royce (tan).

Very rare boxes include 34 Volkswagen (green), 46 Pickford Van and 65 Jaguar Sedan.

E1	E1 NEW MODEL	E2	E3	E3 NEW MODEL
E4	E4 NEW MODEL

TYPE F - Number in Blue Square (1969)

This was the final style of regular wheel boxes. The box featured the word "MATCHBOX" across the top in red. The number appears in a blue square in the upper right corner.

Difficult boxes to obtain include 3 Ambulance, 8 Mustang (with Superfast picture) and 12 Safari Landrover

Very rare boxes include 14 Iso Griffo and 22 Pontiac. Four numbers were never made in this series - 20, 30 , 35 and 69.

F1

F2

F4

With the change to Superfast models in 1970 the box designs also underwent a change of design. Featuring the new models on the face panels and end flaps set on a lined background to give impression of speed. Some models did not suit the change to the new wheels and were kept with their boxes having the Superfast design but omiting the "Superfast" logo.

G Transitional

Major Pack & King Size Boxes

Finding information about the Major Pack and King Size series boxes has been a bit harder. I contacted Tom Chimenti (who has a link on F.Carnahan's site) and he told me he feels that the King Size line from 1960 - 1969 is the most interesting due to the incredible art work used on the mid series boxes. He was able to help with the style of boxes:

1960-1963 "Crown" boxes

1964-1966 "Slide" boxes

1966-1968 "Window" boxes with interior dioramas

1968-1969 "Window" boxes with plain blue interiors

Several models have different "scenes" inside the box. For example, K15 has flames, or a burning building on the inside. K7 has a plain plastic or street scene. K5 has a checkered flag or race scene.

Charlie Mack does list Major & Kingsize boxes but doesn't appear to cover all the variations found. I would welcome anyone who has more information to contact me.

A Style MAJOR	B STYLE MAJOR	B STYLE MAJOR NEW MODEL
C MAJOR	C SLIDE MAJOR	C SLIDE MAJOR (v)
B KING SIZE	C KING SIZE	C SLIDE BOX	WINDOW	WINDOW with HEADER

King Size Boxes

The King Size range of boxes has some stunning art work that bring the models to life. Often set within a diorama effect the models sometimes obscure the scenic backgrounds. The back of the box picture the model in a working setting.

K1 Front	K1 Back	K3 Front	K3 Back
K5 Front	K5 Back	K6 Front	K6 Back
K7 Front	K7 Back	K8 Front	K8 Back
K9 Front	K9 Back	K10 Front	K10 Back
K11 Front	K11 Back	K13 Front	K13 Back
K14 Front	K14 Back
K15 Front (Slide)	K15 Front (Window)	K15 Back
K17 Front	K17 Back	K18 Front	K18 Back
K20 Front	K20 Back
K21 Back	K23 Back	K24 Front	K24 Back

Models Of Yesteryear

In 1956 Lesney released a new series of models called "Models of Yesteryear". These were a slightly larger scale than than the 1-75 series.

Y2A 4 1911 B Type Bus	Y2A 5 1911 B Type Bus	Y3A 2 LONDON E CLASS TRAMCAR
MOY9 Fowler Engine	Y12A 2 1899 London Horse Drawn Bus	Y13A 1 AMERICAN LOCO 4-4-0	Y14A 1 DUKE OF CONNAUGHT 4-2-2
MOY ashtray	MATCHBOX Mug

Matchbox International Collectors Association

MICA was founded in 1985 at the request of Matchbox Toys Limited. It rapidly became the largest and remains the best supported of the Matchbox Clubs. Mr Leslie Smith OBE, a co-founder of Lesney/Matchbox Toys, was an honorary MICA member and was guest of honour at several MICA conventions.

Matchbox International Collectors Association home page MICA

Conventions are held worldwide with limited special issues produced to celebrate each one.

1st MICA 1988

6th MICA 1991

Corgi Major

1126 Ecurie Ecosse	1110 Big Bedford Tractor Unit
1104 Chipperfields Circus Horse Box 1	1104 Chipperfields Circus Horse Box 2	1104 Chipperfields Circus Horse Box 3

Corgi Toys

Sunbeam Imp	Morris Mini Cooper	BMC Mini Cooper 'S'
E.R.F. Cement Truck	261 James Bond DB5	UNCLE Super Oldsmobile 88	267 BATMOBILE

Matchbox Various

D8 CAT - Unknown Maker??

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BOXES & VARIOUS