Reader’s Contributions Part Three Shows Howizter our main feature of this posts in europe. Markus Lecksheid attend two show one in a mall. Clarence Causey shares a photo of item from Mexico. Finally Brian Carrick shares an auction the UK that had Marx items in it.
Reader’s Contributions Part Three Shows Howizter Belgium
Markus Lecksheid attended two shows recently. The first one was in Belgium only two and half hours from his home. The show was held in a shopping mall in the public areas. From the photos you will see a wide range of toys.
Here we have a wide selection of toys. Notice the Big JIm set on the shelf. Big Jim was more popular over in Europe than in the states.
Looking down from the second floor at the show.
Another look from the second floor at the show.
There were dealers at the show with toy soldiers. Markus said he got over three hundred soldiers. What he got he did not say.
A look down one of the walkways with toys.
Lego is popular over there as here.
Smurfs anyone? The table also has Playmobil and other character items.
Reader’s Contributions Part Three Shows Howizter Freidburg
Markus also attended the toy soldier show in Freidberg Germany. This use to be the show at Bad Nauheim but it was sold. The new people moved 40 km north of the old show.
Marcus got an early rights ticket to get into the show before the crowd. This allow him to do pictures.
The show emphazies is Elastolin and especially compostion.
Various tables at the show
A nice castle with 40mm Elastolin figures
Tables to look over again and again.
Here you see other figures besides Elastolinfor sell. Starlux and britains are two of the companies I see on the table.
Reader’s Contributions Part Three Shows Howizter Ebay Clarence
Clarence Causey spotted this on Ebay. It is coming from Mexico. We have to find out if it from original molds or a copy. We will be checking.
Reader’s Contributions Part Three Shows Howizter Ebay BrianCarrick
Brian Carrick sent us a link from his blog to the highlights of of an auction in the UK. The auction held at Sheffield Auction Gallery. Several of the lots had Marx items in them. One lot was aBig Top Circus Playset with Swansea markings. Sadly the set only had the tin and the box was in poor shape. Brian asked for comments on the set. here is what I said.
The Marx Big top Circus Playset is one of two circus playsets that Marx did. The other was Super Circus. Both sets are based on American television shows of the 50’s. Big Top was on CBS network. The most interesting part of Big Top was one of the clowns was played by Ed McMahon who later was sidekick for Johnny Carson.
If the playset was complete and the box was in better condition it would sell between $300.00 to $400.00 in the states. With the box having Swansea markings and if the figures in different colors from the United States it would go for at least 10% or 20% higher at least.
You can see more results for the auction here.
Ok.admin the SPG is the one I sale/sold in my store imported from Mexico.It is a copy of Marx not Ideal verssion mold w new tracks.I carry the M26 Same scale base in same series.
I had made an entire post ready w pictures comparing the 4 molds and differences.
Marx also sold by MPC, the Ideal , the RELIABLE from Canada and very different and the Mexico copy that was done in Mexico in late 80s and sold w Lido copies Gi s by a company call PLASTICOS ASOCIADOS.
Also Kleeware from UK did the same Ideal model as both companies share production often like the IDEAL castle designed by them.
I have the work ready x when need it.
The Mexican model as well tank M26 is all over internet ebay and in mexico as well.
Both are in the 1/25 scale as IDEAL anzio invader armor made .
The SPG is base in the Korean war era M55/53 models
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M55_self_propelled_howitzer
Best.
It’s a totally different model and not copied from Airfix at all, but it reminds me of the Airfix 1/32 soft plastic Abbott Self-Propelled-Gun that was available in the early 70s.
Here is a pic from the Airfix Toy Soldiers website.
http://www.airfixtoysoldiers.com/VEHICLES-1971-CATALOGUE.jpg
The M53/55 is base in the MARX-MPC mold designed.
So far Marx did one and is the hardest as come the Marx logo ,it was with spring action firing and shells.
MPC apparently sold the same exact Marx mold but MPC has no logo and definitely sold and pack in MPC cards/boxes. So here could be a share mystery using same mold and erasing the brand name!?
But so far both are exact same to every detail.
seen here by this seller.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ideal-Large-Army-Tank-Self-Propelled-Gun-MPC-Marx-Lido-Auburn-/182791047050?hash=item2a8f32078a:g:jIwAAOSwxbtZovu8
The Mexican mold is not a clone or copy exactly ,it has few minor variation in amount wheels track and chassis connectors as well cannon versus Marx -MPC,Ideal and Reliable molds.
This Mexican company also did an entire more crude copy of TIM MEE Deuce truck .
All three vehicles I had carry/imported for sale before in my site and eBay store.
best…
Here is the Ideal version,notice lack of second hatch in turrent one of main different feature versus MARX MPC and mexican copy.Also the shell holders are different and roof shape different ..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remco-Ideal-Tank-from-the-Anzio-Invader-play-set-1960s-Excellent-condition-/192156655406?hash=item2cbd6ddf2e:g:HH4AAOSwrddY7qUH
Look at the two side by side you cansee they are similar but different I will have to look one in the future.
Erwin,
This is the first I’d heard this is in any way a Marx product. Can you enlighten us as to the Marx origins? I’ve never seen any specimens with a Marx logo….so please pardon my skepticism
Larry.
No idea in Marx origin.Only I have two w logo bellow chassis and identically to the one sold by MPC .
So from there who made the mold if Marx or MPC is hard to say.But considering MPC toys are neither close to historical and detailed I will imagine is a Marx toys that was sold by MPC and Ideal made a varied piece as well RELIABLE w rare rounded turret I have two w logo as well.
My thoughts …
I just think that the Playset community would be ga ga over this piece if they thought it was made by Marx; and I’ve never seen it mentioned by any of those luminaries who have one of everything mint in the package. I would love to get a look at the logo you mentioned.
I am trying to remember if Eldon did a piece like this. Not sure as I have seen too many toys in my life time.
ELDON did the sherman(m4a1) with firing mechanism i have two of them ,the material is very alike and it was sold often with a trailer truck to carry it that was sold in army colors but also in other colors.
Eldo advertise showed it and can be google from internet .The tank also come with typical underscale 45 mm ELDON soldiers
All ELDON vehicles I had seen included the Sherman tank and trailer truck are mark ELDON .
I had never seen any of these copied in mexico in vintage toy mark by ELDON …But the fact that MARX and MPC both sold same bring a mystery of who did it .
The mexican i have in hand as we speak and i can assure is a new mold ,you can see the new exit and enters of plastic plus all new connectors used x new mold .If they acquire a wasted mold and rework repair it i do not know ,but not same mold from vintage was used.Same goes for the M26/46 Tank.
I have import the two armor the deuce and sold then very quick the moment i did …they were cheap too x sale ..same manufacture have jeeps ,cannons,airplanes and shoppers
my thoughts.
best
This is the only large about same scale firing mechanism armor by ELDON i know and is mark ELDON.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-Four-Vintage-Eldon-Willy-and-TICO-Military-Vehicles-/332421979169?hash=item4d65e4dc21:g:qOMAAOSwN9tZdSgh
Here is same ELDON sherman
with trailer truck i mentioned..
but mix with REMCO soldiers and TM jeep i think..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELDON-1960s-Army-Cab-tank-transporter-remco-soldiers-tank-and-jeep-RARE-/332419842637?hash=item4d65c4424d:g:t3gAAOSwEUtZjhCz
now ELDON did sold some REMCO-AURORA REVELL kit brands as well but in smaller scaled and non firing mechanism and accurate detail historical not as toys.,here sample of SPG sold by ELDON
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eldon-Match-Kit-Carriage-Motor-Gun-M-40-1967-Model-Kit-WWII-155mm-SEALED-RARE-/272898114783?hash=item3f89fec4df:g:lKoAAOSws5pZKi2t
ELDO also sold the small 1/48 approx scale landing craft with armored car and jeep as well with their 45 mm soldiers ..
You may notice that the tracks section on the lower half is a different color green than the turret on top; is this a conversion someone put together from spare parts?
Not conversion at all please…
Is the one i carry and sold TD Barnecut …
Is not conversion ;is massive produced and sold in mexico base in mold from MPC-MARX original .They redone a new mold by changing connectors as i specify in first post above.I had done a large post with a lot photos comparing all 4 molds type of same toy.
Anyone need buy more direct from Mexico as i sold out all i import not long ago ,here are then from one reseller from Mexico.he is out stock now but can carry more ,same in M26 tank of same line i sold too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mexican-Military-Battle-Tank-In-2-different-colors-Plastic-toy-Made-in-Mexico/272893086466?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
So why is the howitzer pictured above made from so many different colors? Shouldn’t it be all one uniform color of O.D.green? I wouldn’t buy just for that reason alone.
Because Is made of two part s section put together and sale as that .Did u see link of ebay I post.
Is actualy sold in 3 different choices configuration of colors .
Is not first time I see that toy as that.
Ideal sold it in orange w blue bottom as well.
Best…
he also carry the Deuce TM version remold done ,more crude but same scale as original.I also carry and sold this here .
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mexican-Military-Truck-Red-Cross-2-different-colors-Plastic-toy-Made-in-Mexico/272893007945?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41451%26meid%3D50f8279dd90d4d6993141d7d876d298a%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D272893086466&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
Are toys like these howitzers still being mass-produced in Mexico? If so, I wish some retailer would pick them up and distribute them in the US. I think kids would still go for the howitzers, deuce and a halfs, etc.
Trouble is the mass stores are more interested in licensed toys. War toys get negative feedback. Also there is a negative feeling on the quality of Mexican manufacturing. Finally Orient sells cheaper than Mexico.
..quality very high on the Mexican SPG import…I would buy another if I can find one…….
They are ,same reason as Admin mention are the fact they do not import them.
You can find in Mexico many EX US molds or copies or army sets and armor as they sale there cheap at Party Supply stores usually and Mexican large chains retailers rather to bring toys from China or US use their own made .Only Walmart and TRUS in Mexico bring those toys as we have here to Mexico.Still local Wal marts in mexico have entire section feel with mexican made toys included these.
But large US companies do not care about importing from mexico , neither those type toys ,they rather import chinese license base manufactured toys .
In venezuela and other SA countries they also do same .
my thoughts..
I’ve had originals that were two-tone. I had one that was orange and metallic blue. I have kept 4 (a battery) 2 Mex copies and 2 of what I thought were either Remco or MPC. I remember seeing them sold as MPC in Two Guys stores as a kid.
Greg.you put me off here.
What specific of these u have w battery ?
And those the battery has any marks?
Erwin – A battery is the artillery equivalent of a company. In this case, 4 heavy guns (155 and over) make a battery. I did not insinuate the toys run on batteries.
Lol.u put me off Greg.
Sorry…
I have some information on the Super Circus Set made in Swansea, England. There had been one running for MANY months on Ebay-U.K. 2 years ago at $500.00 US that I stumbled on from time to time. About 85% complete in a good box. I do not collect civilian sets, but I saw it and thought it was cool due to the different colors of figures. Then along came that day when the GBP crashed in value back when they voted to leave the European Union. I offered the seller $200.00 US, and we settled on $250.00 US. I took it to the 2017 OTSN show and sold it within an hour…but I made the seller promise to let Rusty take photos for a future PM article…which he did. So hopefully in the future you will see a small article updating their larger coverage of the Circus sets.
What were the colors of the circus figures. The ones in the U.S. are brown and yellow.