MATCHBOX PUBLICATIONS

A very good way to know about the value of a collection is to match the collection with available catalogs and price guides. Every year Matchbox Toys released a pocket catalog for the collectors and Dealer's Catalogs for Dealers. But with the Mattel take over this source has been discontinued. Mattel now produced a giant size poster for the miniature line. I am not sure if dealers are still getting a dealers catalog or not. The chances are No!. Over the years,pocket catalogs have become a collector item. Collector look for pocked catalogs released for different markets. Some of the pocket catalogs have appreciated in value a lot.

For many years there was only one major catalog for Matchbox Collectors by Schiffer Publishers. This catalog covered all the Lesney years and is commonly known as "The Blue Book" among Matchbox Collectors. It was not until 1992 when Charlie Mack decided to picture his collection and released catalogs. So far he has released several different catalogs including "The Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys." This book already has 3 editions as of 2002.

Following is a list of all the publications on Matchbox that I am aware of. There are plenty of other catalogs / listings by Philip Bowdidge of England on Superfast as well as Regular Wheel models plus an extensive catalog from Charlie Mack with monthly updates in his newsletter.

The following publications are what I consider as catalogs. They include color pictures and price guide. Please note that price guide in these catalogs is only a guide. The actual price of the model vary based on the market value and what a collector is willing to pay.

MATCHBOX TOYS
by Nancy Schiffer, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-916838-74-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 82-92954

MATCHBOX AND LLEDO TOYS
by Edward Force, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-88740-127-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 88-61034

LESNEY'S MATCHBOX TOYS -- REGULAR WHEEL YEARS, 1947-1969
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-88740-434-0
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 92-60637

LESNEY'S MATCHBOX TOYS -- THE SUPERFAST YEARS, 1969-1982
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-88740-463-4
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 92-63103

UNIVERSAL'S MATCHBOX TOYS -- THE UNIVERSAL YEARS, 1982-1992
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-88740-550-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93-85218

MATCHBOX TOYS -- THE TYCO YEARS, 1993-1994
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
ISBN: 0-88740-865-6
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 95-19425

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MATCHBOX TOYS with Values
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
The most thorough and complete catalog on Matchbox Toys covering every single toy made by Matchbox from 1947 - 1996.
ISBN: 0-7643-0325-2
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 97-22931

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MATCHBOX TOYS Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition with Values
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
The most thorough and complete catalog on Matchbox Toys covering every single toy made by Matchbox from 1947 - 1998.
ISBN: 0-7643-0866-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: TL237.2.M3297

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MATCHBOX TOYS Revised & Expanded 3rd Edition with Values
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
The most thorough and complete catalog on Matchbox Toys covering every single toy made by Matchbox from 1947 - 2001.
ISBN: 0-7643-1571-4
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: TL237.2.M3297 2002

COLLECTING MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS, 1953-1969 with Values
by Charlie Mack, Schiffer Publishers
A complete catalog on Matchbox Regular Wheels Toys covering almost every single toy made by Matchbox from 1947 - 1969.
ISBN: 0-7643-1198-0
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 00-104756

MATCHBOX 1-75 SERIES -- 1953 ~ 1969 Collectors Catalog
By Stannard (?), Lynmar Printing Co.
A complete catalog on Matchbox Regular Wheels Toys covering almost every single toy made by Matchbox from 1953 - 1969.
ISBN: 0-9510367-0X
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

COLLECTING MATCHBOX MODEL A FORD VANS
By Paul Carr Printed in 1990 by Major Productions This is an excellent book on MB38 Vans covering all variations until 1990 with color pictures.
ISBN: 0-9510885-2-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX: THE YESTERYEAR BOOK 1956 to 1996
by Steward Orr & Kevin McGimpsey, Produced by MICA
A very good source book on Yesteryear models. A must for a Yesteryear collector.
ISBN: 0-9510885-8-0
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX: THE YESTERYEAR BOOK 1956 to 2000 (Millennium Edition)
by Steward Orr & Kevin McGimpsey, Produced by MICA
A very good source book on Yesteryear models. A must for a Yesteryear collector.
ISBN: 0-9510885-9-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

Other than the above catalogs, there are Posters, Wall Charts, Pocket Catalogs available every year for different markets. Please Contact Mattel directly or the clubs for such releases.

The following publications are what I do not considered as catalogs but are good source of information about Matchbox Toys.
COLLECTING MATCHBOX DIECAST TOYS -- The First Forty Years
Printed in May 1989 by Universal Matchbox Group This is an excellent book on Matchbox toys covering the first forty years of Matchbox history.
ISBN: 0-9510885-1-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX: THE OFFICIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
By Richard J. Scholl Universe Publishing
Printed in Aug 2002 by Mattel This is an excellent book on Matchbox toys covering the first fifty years of Matchbox history.
ISBN: 0-7893-0685-0
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001096434

MATCHBOX TOYS -- A guide to Selecting, Collecting, and Enjoying new and Vintage Models
By Bruce and Diane Stoneback, Cartwell Books Inc.
ISBN: 1-55521-937-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX CARS
By Mac Ragan, MBI Publications Company
ISBN: 0-780760-309643
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX TOYS -- The Collector's Corner
Grange Books
ISBN: 1-84013-277-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX TOYS 1948 to 1993 -- IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE
by Dana Johnson, Collectors Books
ISBN: 0-89145-570-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

MATCHBOX TOYS 1947 to 1998 -- (3rd Edition) IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE
by Dana Johnson, Collectors Books
ISBN: NOT AVAILABLE
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: NOT AVAILABLE

ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHERS

Bushwood Books (Schiffer Publishing Contact in Europe)
6 Marksbury Aveny
Kew Gardens
Surrey, TW9 4JF
England
44 (0) 20-8352-8585
them at: bushwd@aol.com

Chartwell Books:
A Division of Book Sales, Inc.
110 Enterprise Avenue
Secaucus, NJ 07094

Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah, KY 42002-3009

Grange Books
Kingsnorth Industrial Estate
Hoo, nr Rochester
Kent ME3 9ND
England

Major Productions Ltd.
13A Lower Bridge Street ROW
Chester,
England

MBI Publishing Company
Galtier Plaza, Suite 2000
380 Jackson Street,
St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
(800) 826-6600

M.I.C.A North America
c/o Rita Schnieder
P.O. Box 28072
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 6J8
Canada

Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
(610) 593-1777
them at: schifferbk@aol.com

Universe Publishing A Division of Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.
300 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010

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