I am Tony and I am a collector of antique toys. Antique toys generally manufactured between 1920 and 1980.
Toy cars, boats, planes, and trains made from plastic, die-cast, and tin-plate. Yep, pretty much anything.
Micro Models, Boomaroo, Wyn-Toy and other Australian Made toys including some of the New Zealand brands of the 1960’s like Lincoln and later Matai.
Matchbox, Dinky, Corgi, Tri-ang, Spot-On, Budgie, Benbros, Charbens, Morestone and other British (stamped Made in England) die-cast toys.
1960’s Mattel Hotwheels, Scalex boats, Hornby Trains, Minic tin-plate and later Motorways items.
If it is a toy I will collect it. Yes, I also have cereal toys because they were a part of my childhood and because the R & L brand was made here in Melbourne.
This site is my virtual museum and catalogue as I cannot display it all at one time. I’ve got to the stage that ‘curating’ the toys is taking more time than I had ever thought it would.
The photo galleries include multiple pictures of most of the items and where I have had time some more details relating to the item.
Repairs, restorations, reproduction ephemera, valuing, and buying have all become part of my hobby since I started some 30 years ago with a few Matchbox Yesteryear models and a single Corgi 226 Mini that took my fancy.
Have a look around and feel free to use the Contact page or add to the discussion via the comments option throughout the site.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony,
I was delighted to read about L & I Glenn Pty Ltd on your site as I have in my possession 2 Penny Savings banks marked 1949 which I know little about. Recently I have come across a third bank – this one marked 1978.the mold is mostly identical to that of the earlier ones, it has the word ‘cent’ where previously ‘penny’ was used and the image on the opposite side is that of RHR The Queen instead of King George. A southern cross and changes to the text also on this side. The 2 penny banks both have the makers name whereas the newer 1978 bank has none. My question is – were the 2 earlier banks actually first manufactured in 1939 or thereabouts? Or could the mold have been predated to give the toy a more ‘vintage’ look? Also, is the ‘newer’ 1978 bank an Australian product or could it have been manufactured overseas? There is an obvious difference in the plastics with the newer being much lighter and a more modern product. I also wondered at each items retail value as I have not seen these pop up much on selling sites. I will gladly send you photographs on your reply.
Thanks for reading,
Kind regards,
Steph
Hi Steph
Thanks for contacting me. The banks are an interesting item and I’d take an educated guess that the older two are genuine although are they plastic or Bakelite? The 1950’s was the era of ‘new’ plastics taking over from Bakelite. As to the question are they original or reproductions? I’d imagine the first two are genuine and the later one could have been made here as the changes to our tariffs which restricted imports and made manufacturing here viable were being decreased but had not been fully removed at that time. Hard to know if it was made here as the lack of brand suggests the mold was generic or even re-used with any previous branding removed. We do know that R&L, the cereal toy makers, sold their dies to a Mexican business in the late 1970’s and they produced many products that returned to Australia in the 1980’s without any indication of where they were made. So my answer is I don’t know without having them in hand. Hope some of this helps.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your web site I have found the information you have provided very useful. I stumbled here a while ago trying to hunt down info on weico, streamlux and micro models.
My query is, I recently picked up 2 old model cars on eBay with no identifying marks. (I think they might be slush mold?)Do you know of a site where I could up load photos of them to see if they could be identified.
I have no desire to sell them as they fit in nicely with my my other collectables. I’d just like to find out who made them etc.
Many thanks Bruce
Hi Bruce
I’ll send an email as well, but if you can send some photos I’ll at least have an idea of what they may be.
cheers
Tony
Tony i have a wide variety of old matchbox , dinky , an hot wheels vintage cars . Want to sell the lot . Plz if interested contact me asap
hello Tony, I have an old Charbens toy car says Charbens on one side and on the other it says Mabe England . It has yellow plastic wheels and looks like a 1920’s car
and is painted green. My Dad died and it was in with his stuff in the attic. I was wondering what it would be worth?
Hi Philip
Sounds like it will be an ‘Old Crock’ series model probably under 2″ in length?
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony
Australian toy reference book
This may interest your readers.
Old Toys,identification and valuation guide.
Ken Arnold
publisher;crown castleton publishers
national library of australia card number 1875342516
raymond buckley
brisbane
Hi Raymond
Thanks for the reference. I think this is the link to it http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/11370882?q=subject%3A%22Toys+–+Collectors+and+collecting+–+Australia+–+Catalogs.%22&c=book which says that it was issued in 2004. I’d like to get a copy if anyone has it.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony
I see you are a busy man with multiple requests from your readers.
What is the update with the American TV show on toy collecting that they contacted you a while ago,interested in this aspect as an observer of specialist toy shows
thanks
raymond buckley
brisbane
Hi Raymond
No further contact, and I was very late in replying…. seems to be a habit I have.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony , I have been given afew triang scooters and cart. Was wondering if you could give me an idea on the correct year, worth, and restorers if you know any. Thanks Linda. Ps. would love to send pictures.
Hi Linda
I’d need some more details and some photos would be best. But yes I can help with that.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony, i have an old heavy tinplate locomotive with the stamp of a Dolphin and Australia on it. Do you know anything re this maker? regards Willem.
Hi Willem
Sorry but that brand is not familiar to me and I cannot find any information about it. Perhaps you could send some photographs ?
Thanks
Tony
Hi tony, I have a fairly large rubber/foam ‘florence’ from the magic roundabout -toy, it’s looks maybe very early model, early sixties… We wondered if you would be interested in it. It is a bendy type toy, we could send photo if so. Many thanks hayley
Hi Hayley
Sounds like an interesting item.
I’ll be in touch via email.
cheers
Tony
Hi tony my father recently passed away and he was a BIG collector in hotwheels and matchbox cars he also has a few dinky and diecast cars as well apparently very rare I am looking to sell and wondering if your interested.
Lani
Hi Lani
Thanks for contacting me. Yes I am always interested in buying diecast models and collections. I’ll be in touch via email.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony,
I have a collection of Matchbox Kingsize and Majors, Corgi Commercials and a few Dinky and other diecast trucks I was looking to sell. If you are interested in this lot I can email some pictures to you.
Regards Ross
Hi Ross
It appears that your account is not accepting email. Not sure why.
Yes very interested to see your models.
cheers
Tony
hi there ,Today while cleaning our garage I found two cars made by Winna one is a racer has red paint and all wheels .the other is a car that was green I think ,not much paint on it after all theses years but in good condition ,wondering if they are collectable and worth offering them to a collectors ,hoping you can help me
thank you happy easter dawn
Hi Dawn
Definitely collectable to me. I’ll be in touch via email.
Thanks
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony, nice page on flicker rings!
Thanks so much for referencing my book on the cereal toy Flicker Rings. I had the thought it might be beneficial to your readers to have the title of my book where you reference the page number – Breakfast barons, Cereal critters and the Rosenhain & Lipmann Legacy. Could be a big help to those “Lords of the Rings” who want to read up more on it.
P.S. there were another set or rings called Weeties Wiggle-Pic Rings (and pendant like badges) issued in Nabisco Weeties cereal in Australia in 1960 some seven years before Kellogg did them. Each had again different ring frame designs/types.
blessings
Craig L Hall
Hi Tony,
I have discovered my old Corgi Magic Roundabout figures from #853 Magic Roundabout Playground set. I have 3 of the main figures (Dougal, Dylan and Mr Rusty), 4 figures that are moulded to sit on see-saws (2x Basil, Florence and Rosalie) and two of the plastic trees, 1 blue and 1 orange. How do I go about trying to find the best buyer for these collectables? Would collectors look for seperate figures to complete a set? Any idea on value would be a great start.
You have a great collection, enjoyed looking at some of the toys I once owned many years ago!
Regards,
Mark Pitkin.
P.s. I can supply photos of all figures if that helps in any way?
Hi Mark
Sounds like a nice piece. The original Corgi Toys 853 would have included the combination of the 851 and 852 models in the one box. It should have 3 blue and 3 orange shrubs or trees, 2 flowers, and the figures you have nominated. A box would make it valuable. For parts it is still desirable and yes I would like to add it to my collection. I’ll email you directly for more information.
cheers
Tony
Good morning, I have a Budgie London double decker bus, bought in England in the early 1980s, in good condition apart from a tyre missing off rear passenger wheel. Is it possible to get hold of a spare tyre to allow the bus to roll along the floor for grandchildren. The model number of the bus reads AEC Routemaster 64 seater.
Many thanks, in anticipation
Marg Dowe
Hi Margaret, I would need to see a photo, or at least have some measurements for the tyre, hub diameter and tyre outer diameter. You will find tyres for sale at http://www.recovertoy.com cheers Tony
I have 22 match box cars fro the 1960s never till in their original boxes. I can provide photo. Wanting to see what value is in them and how to go about finding a buyer.
Thanks Alan, I am always interested in purchasing models for my collection. I have emailed you directly.
Hi Tony,I are Dutchman in Thailand and looking for the Garage repair hoist Micro or Lincoln GB14 can You find? it is nice to see Your collection,thanks before for Your reaction,Herman Chiang Mai.
Hi,
I’ll see if I can find one for you.
Cheers
Tony
I am writing a press article about toys (from yesterdays and from nowadays) about the GREY FERGUSON TRACTOR TE20.
There will be several famous manufacturer like LEGO in Darnmark and I would like to include you TE20 model.
So could you send me a photo of your “Tractor reproduced by WEICO for Bobs Farmyard”.
Waiting for this photo to be sent by e-mail.
Best regards.
Jean-Paul ESTIVIE 147 rue de Tolbiac 75013-PARIS (France)
Hi there,
I work for an American television show that follows a toy hunter around the world looking for vintage toys. We are interested in perhaps coming to Australia and wanted to speak with you about your collection. Thanks so much.
Hi
I know this is ages ago, but it was caught up in my spam. Yes, always happy to discuss toys.
cheers
Tony
Hi Tony I have a 1960’s tin combat jeep. I was trying to contact you as I am wanting to sell and seeing if you would be interested?
Hi Tony
I have come upon an old lincoln Wyn toy 10 ton Hydraulic Tipper truck,
That my fathers auntie gave him, however it is missing the rear tailgate and lift/hold down mechanism for the hydraulic tipper tray. I just can’t seem to
find these parts anywhere and wondered if you may know where I may find them. I would daerly love to restore this old truck, but have just about given up. The truck body paint colour is red and the tipper tray is yellow.
Hoping you may be able to help.
Regards
Mark
Hi Tony,
I enjoy looking at your site as I collect Micro Models and Brentoys models.
I am writing to ask if you have a complete list of the Brentoy model range. I can’t seem to find much information on these models on the internet.
regards
Ross
There is not a lot of details about the range available. My understanding is that the moulds were transferred to New Zealand with the Micro dies in the 1960’s and that the Austin Tanker and the GMC Van were cast again from those moulds at some point during the last 20 years or so. RecoverToy picked up what is thought to be the last of the surplus castings for both models and is in the process of painting them up for collectors.