One of the interesting aspects of Marx was Charmore. Charmore was a company established by Louis Marx to help out his general friends. It may have been set up for tax purposes. The company did cosmetics and also issued the Marx figures painted from Germany and Holland.
Looking at the Marx forum, I saw that Denis of Russia had done an article on Charmore. After reading the article, I contacted Denis, who I have corresponded before to get permission to share this article with you.
http://den71is.ru/charmore_eng.html
The only things I would add to the article is I am very likely the person in the United States who made first mention of Marx – Heimo connection. Also I am very strict classifying some Heimo, either it has the Heimo mark, in soft plastic or a painting variation. A example of this is the Marx soldier posted below
I got this figure at this year’s Plastic Warrior Show. I listed as Heimo because of the West Germany Markings.
I am requesting a contact who is familiar with the Charmore Co. product line
Tim
The Charmore Company was set up by Louis Marx as way to help friends and also a tax deductions. Charmore’s figure line had the following: Cowboys, Indians, Confederates, Union, U.S. Army, Colonials, Band and pirates. PFPC did a special issue which talked about these figures and Warriors of the world. Does anyone wanted to added anything.
Wow ,very interesting story/work about ,I had never read it. Still some rare intriguing mystery and lapses of years/data .
Once more I see that Marx really play the making of many mold for same figures.= repeating mold. They did in order to have their own subsidiaries build fast at the factories out of state. Thanks to that most mold were never lost for most poses/sets of figures and we can enjoy their recast today.
I am a collector of plastic model kits from the late ’40’s and ’50’s.
I have a collection of Charmore kits made in Paterson , New Jersey. They are very rare and I know little about them. I have done searches but have come up with little. The John Burns guide for Plastic kits list some but I have a gift set which is not listed so there is a lot of unknowns out there.
Would love to read any information about the company and its products.
Thanks
Hi Edward,
Hello from Canada,
I have John Burns’ books and in the PAK-20 issue the Charmore GIFT SET is mentioned
I have 2 Charmore kits: the Mig-15 P-441 and the Trolley Car
If you want I can send you pictures.
I wonder if you could send me pictures of the Lockheed XF-90 kit (P-439) and box sides. Thanks!
Regards,
Marc