How do I tell apart the original 1948 LEGO klodser set apart from the 1998 reproduction?

[Collector245]

Hi,

I am looking into purchasing a LEGO klodser set but I would like to make sure that it is the original 1948 version. I have heard from many people that it is very hard to tell the 2 apart. I was wondering if anyone here would be able to help me. I have attached a link to a page that shows you what a LEGO klodser set looks like. Thanks for your help!

http://www.miniland.nl/Historie/Houtpaginas/houten_blokken_van_lego eng.htm

[LEGO Historian]

Yes it is very difficult to tell them apart... why TLG didn't put some kind of marking on the newer versions of the 500 numbered blocks set, baffles the mind.

But here's my own take on it.  If the set is in perfect condition, I would suspect it is the newer version.  Almost all the older wooden LEGO toys I have seen have had years of wear or use.  Not this is not a perfect solution to your dilemma, but it's the best answer I can give.  Look for missing paperwork areas on the wooden outer box, scratches on the box or wear on the wooden blocks, etc.

BrickTsar did a Youtube video (confusingly showing a homepainted box top) on this problem, and although he's not giving a lot of info... it may help you out...

 

[Collector245]

Thank you so much for your quick response! I really appreciate it. I have also noticed that the older versions have the markings of the printing company that printed the paper for the set. It is marked at the very bottom of the inside instructions.

Thank you so much,

William

By the way: Thank you so much for helping me with my Nezlo VW bus.

[Collector245]

Sorry to bump this topic but I have done more research on the topic and I have found a way to tell the 1948 version and the 1998 version apart. In the last post I mentioned that you can see a stamp from the printing company in the bottom of some klodser sets and not others. While looking at some photos of klodser sets I noticed that most of the perfect condition klodser sets did not have this stamp. It also makes sense that way back when the original sets were produced, LEGO would probably have used a different printing company to print their paperwork (this theory can be proved by looking at old LEGO catalogs which will have a marking of where it was printed.). Then if you think about it, in 1998 LEGO was a big enough company that they would have probably started to print their own paperwork. If you go to the link in my first post you can see a photo marked 1998 version, you will not see a stamp from the printing company but if you scroll down to the other photos you can see a small mark near the bottom of the instructions.

 

Well, I have probably bored you with this lengthy explanation but I think it is important to share this because many sellers will sell there block set as the 1948 version and I want to make sure that there is a way to tell the two apart for people that may want to buy one in the future.