LEGO advertisement - launch of the Pirates theme in NL

[CvS]

On 10/10/2025 at 4:44 PM, Mister Phes said:

Thanks for sharing these more of this great finds! 

Also, apologies for derailing your topic with non-Dutch catlogue images.

You're welcome and no problem  

All the LEGO Pirates ads are nice to see and know, from all kinds of different countries!
Or is there already a separate topic for LEGO Pirate ads in general?

I also love Kelceycoe's research. I can relate to that kind of niche information ;).
I just have to find the time to read/keep up with it all 
For example the North-America exclusive sets. For an European, they're  interesting and hard (expensive) to find, especially with instructions.

(This applies to more sets, like 1680 for example. Not a Pirate set, but there is hardly any information available about where it was released etc.)

[edit: Ah my hundredth post! ]

Edited October 12, 2025 by CvS

[kelceycoe]

On 10/12/2025 at 5:23 PM, CvS said:

You're welcome and no problem  

All the LEGO Pirates ads are nice to see and know, from all kinds of different countries!
Or is there already a separate topic for LEGO Pirate ads in general?

I also love Kelceycoe's research. I can relate to that kind of niche information ;).
I just have to find the time to read/keep up with it all 
For example the North-America exclusive sets. For an European, they're  interesting and hard (expensive) to find, especially with instructions.

(This applies to more sets, like 1680 for example. Not a Pirate set, but there is hardly any information available about where it was released etc.)

[edit: Ah my hundredth post! ]

For 1680, I just bought the 1877 set and bought a separate extra minifigure because it was way cheaper than buying 1680 outright. That sold was sold in stores here in the United States.

 

UPDATE; Photos removed because I linked to the 1989 Value pack set with the cart with the black fences. I cannot find any instance of 1680 in any UK catalog but 1877 does appear in the US Medium catalog on the Futuron page.

 

 

Edited October 13, 2025 by kelceycoe

[Mister Phes]

38 minutes ago, kelceycoe said:

 

How are your digitizing these catalog pages?

I think I might need to buy a flatbed scanner to get the job done properly.

7 hours ago, CvS said:

[edit: Ah my hundredth post! ]

Here's to the next 100! 

Thank ye for all yer valuable contributions! 

[kelceycoe]

47 minutes ago, Mister Phes said:

How are your digitizing these catalog pages?

I think I might need to buy a flatbed scanner to get the job done properly.

 

Those were both done by a flat bed scanner. Some of mine were done using a phone because my flat bed scanner has issues.

[CvS]

17 hours ago, kelceycoe said:

For 1680, I just bought the 1877 set and bought a separate extra minifigure because it was way cheaper than buying 1680 outright. That sold was sold in stores here in the United States.

 

 

The Value Pack appears again on another page in the 1989 Parent's Guide for the US market:

 

It was NOT available for sale in the 1989 Shop at Home catalog: https://images.brickset.com/library/view/?f=catalogues/c89sah

 

 

Yeah, so 1877 was (only) sold in the US/North America.

Do you also know where 1680 was sold? Only in the UK? 
That's what my (limited) research indicates so far.
Brickset: ''Discovered' in the UK.'
Or also in the US/NA?
It seems to be very (véry) rare...

In my opinion a set is only really complete if you have the instructions...  (and maybe even the box)
That's the biggest issue with 1680.
I could build the set a couple of times, if it was just about the bricks (even with 'period approriate' bricks) 

16 hours ago, Mister Phes said:

How are your digitizing these catalog pages?

I think I might need to buy a flatbed scanner to get the job done properly.

Here's to the next 100! 

Thank ye for all yer valuable contributions! 

[kelceycoe]

46 minutes ago, CvS said:

In my opinion a set is only really complete if you have the instructions...  (and maybe even the box)

Under normal circumstances I'd agree but I cannot when the price is wrong lol.

As for 1680... The ONLY evidence in existence that hints it was sold in the UK is the UK box found for this set on Bricklink:

 

And this older listing on facebook complete with a woolworth price sticker:

It was sold recently in E-bay from a seller in Bulgaria for over $300 USD - ONLY the parts and instructions and that person did list the full instructions, confirming that version of the set was made in 1990.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277008332939?_skw=lego+1680&epid=9053424680&itmmeta=01K7FWCDEESQ0GC90V68XMYTHS&hash=item407efbb88b:g:9GkAAOSwMKFn8SCn&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eNLZvw3DrfpGhZiHaFxIsDua%2BZNLlntY2fTGU75LBj%2BJlwsqkypWea4WOVws2cBbgqOCD52bvbMx8SPWERJZJ0TZ340CVMi%2BDPQ%2B5YeM7tI7yYcEpOs8AGL92eS%2BI5x6FppPSOD%2FIZldIs6259OyPwImUrizd33UyJA5tSQ1T4AI3XrWWvX3%2Fi3z0cdjkq0M3lUeylKbScrWb5TOH3lbxO9DR57szMjgw9WUVsv9GAe39%2BQLmvWyhR2zZ%2B18R51MTnBaDBgMXssqQunhPm00e0HpcvI6%2B4w8NmSMs%2FC4HOLg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7DXsfy7Zg

Also, in reference to 1877... pretty much any Value Pack I have found back then was only sold in the USA. I did not see it or 1680 in the 1990 UK catalog so

[kelceycoe]

After doing some more research, a user on Facebook gave some brief info about the set, saying it was a promotional limited set and gave box pics:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DFo2zNeSg/

And the guy who supplied the info for this post talked bout it possibly being a Woolworth exclusive:

Quote: 

My original info is still what I have and had it kind of confirmed by some more online research.

The set was only sold during a brief period in 1990 in Woolworths UK. I also heard it got handed out as part of a promo, but that would be contradicted by the price label (so at least no free promo). Maybe it was a set you could get for a low price as a store bonus or something like that.

Information is still VERY scarce. If you have any more info (or even photos of other sold sets with price stickers), please let me know!"

[SBCMayor]

3 hours ago, kelceycoe said:

Under normal circumstances I'd agree but I cannot when the price is wrong lol.

As for 1680... The ONLY evidence in existence that hints it was sold in the UK is the UK box found for this set on Bricklink:

 

And this older listing on facebook complete with a woolworth price sticker:

It was sold recently in E-bay from a seller in Bulgaria for over $300 USD - ONLY the parts and instructions and that person did list the full instructions, confirming that version of the set was made in 1990.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277008332939?_skw=lego+1680&epid=9053424680&itmmeta=01K7FWCDEESQ0GC90V68XMYTHS&hash=item407efbb88b:g:9GkAAOSwMKFn8SCn&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eNLZvw3DrfpGhZiHaFxIsDua%2BZNLlntY2fTGU75LBj%2BJlwsqkypWea4WOVws2cBbgqOCD52bvbMx8SPWERJZJ0TZ340CVMi%2BDPQ%2B5YeM7tI7yYcEpOs8AGL92eS%2BI5x6FppPSOD%2FIZldIs6259OyPwImUrizd33UyJA5tSQ1T4AI3XrWWvX3%2Fi3z0cdjkq0M3lUeylKbScrWb5TOH3lbxO9DR57szMjgw9WUVsv9GAe39%2BQLmvWyhR2zZ%2B18R51MTnBaDBgMXssqQunhPm00e0HpcvI6%2B4w8NmSMs%2FC4HOLg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7DXsfy7Zg

Also, in reference to 1877... pretty much any Value Pack I have found back then was only sold in the USA. I did not see it or 1680 in the 1990 UK catalog so

Not related to the discussion on where sets were sold, this is just a pure nostalgia comment. I didnt' have a lot of Castle sets but this was one of them. I'd all but forgotten about it until seeing these pics! 

[CvS]

On 10/14/2025 at 1:42 AM, kelceycoe said:

After doing some more research, a user on Facebook gave some brief info about the set, saying it was a promotional limited set and gave box pics:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DFo2zNeSg/

And the guy who supplied the info for this post talked bout it possibly being a Woolworth exclusive:

Quote: 

My original info is still what I have and had it kind of confirmed by some more online research.

The set was only sold during a brief period in 1990 in Woolworths UK. I also heard it got handed out as part of a promo, but that would be contradicted by the price label (so at least no free promo). Maybe it was a set you could get for a low price as a store bonus or something like that.

Information is still VERY scarce. If you have any more info (or even photos of other sold sets with price stickers), please let me know!"

Thanks for the info! Interesting.
 

On 10/14/2025 at 1:06 AM, kelceycoe said:

Under normal circumstances I'd agree but I cannot when the price is wrong lol.

As for 1680... The ONLY evidence in existence that hints it was sold in the UK is the UK box found for this set on Bricklink:

 

And this older listing on facebook complete with a woolworth price sticker:

It was sold recently in E-bay from a seller in Bulgaria for over $300 USD - ONLY the parts and instructions and that person did list the full instructions, confirming that version of the set was made in 1990.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277008332939?_skw=lego+1680&epid=9053424680&itmmeta=01K7FWCDEESQ0GC90V68XMYTHS&hash=item407efbb88b:g:9GkAAOSwMKFn8SCn&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eNLZvw3DrfpGhZiHaFxIsDua%2BZNLlntY2fTGU75LBj%2BJlwsqkypWea4WOVws2cBbgqOCD52bvbMx8SPWERJZJ0TZ340CVMi%2BDPQ%2B5YeM7tI7yYcEpOs8AGL92eS%2BI5x6FppPSOD%2FIZldIs6259OyPwImUrizd33UyJA5tSQ1T4AI3XrWWvX3%2Fi3z0cdjkq0M3lUeylKbScrWb5TOH3lbxO9DR57szMjgw9WUVsv9GAe39%2BQLmvWyhR2zZ%2B18R51MTnBaDBgMXssqQunhPm00e0HpcvI6%2B4w8NmSMs%2FC4HOLg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7DXsfy7Zg

Also, in reference to 1877... pretty much any Value Pack I have found back then was only sold in the USA. I did not see it or 1680 in the 1990 UK catalog so

How can you tell that box is a 'UK box'?

[kelceycoe]

On 10/15/2025 at 8:47 AM, CvS said:

How can you tell that box is a 'UK box'?

I may be generalizing too much. You can tell the difference between an American box and boxes that many fans claimed are from the UK but may just as well be European boxes.

For the 1989-1992 (about that time) American boxes had the ages listed on the front. European boxes listed these on one of the sides. That's the only way to tell looking at the boxes online. I've never had an European box so I am unable to know much else (like weight difference, dimensions, etc).

[FestersQuest1989]

On 10/4/2025 at 5:20 PM, CvS said:

Look what I found in a 1989 Donald Duck from a thrift store: the announcement of the launch of the Pirates theme in the Netherlands!

Plus another one in a different Duck:

Our daughter really likes reading Duckies. So I have an excuse to go through old Ducks when I find them in a thrift store 

I have already found quite a few: LEGO ads etc

 I can save you some trouble on this front....
 I collect the Dutch Donald Duck magazine,
 for 1989 there's only the Pirates Lego ad in issue 17,
 which you already posted above.

 I'm not currently in position to sift trough 1990-1991 (the years I feel matter)
 but for 1990 you DO at least have a Lego mini catalog as bonus in issue 45 (which contains the  pirate sets)
 this catalog was inserted in both the store sold edition as well as the subscriber issue.
 if you find said Donald Duck issue (once again nr. 45-1990) the catalog is usually still inside.

[FestersQuest1989]

On 10/4/2025 at 7:10 PM, TalonCard said:

Donald Duck was always my favorite too but I had no idea as a kid how popular he was in other countries.

EXTREMELY well known and popular over here in The Netherlands,
the weekly magazine started here in late 1952, and still going.
and unlike other countries that still have a weekly Donald or Mickey magazine,
the Dutch one is actually read by people of all ages, it's also often passed along
from one generation to the next.

while for example the German Micky Maus (which has been going since 1951)
is more aimed at kids, and literally has kids toys attached/with the issue in plastic,
etc, even saw it come with 2 small tennis rackets with a soft ball inside a fishnet.

the Dutch "Donald Duck" however is actually taken seriously.
and not seen as "just for kids"

you'll find most places have them lying around to read as well, such as obviously Schools,
but also barber, dentist and doctor waiting rooms will/might have them as well.

[CvS]

22 hours ago, FestersQuest1989 said:

 if you find said Donald Duck issue (once again nr. 45-1990) the catalog is usually still inside.

You mean this one:

22 hours ago, FestersQuest1989 said:

 I can save you some trouble on this front....
 I collect the Dutch Donald Duck magazine,
 for 1989 there's only the Pirates Lego ad in issue 17,
 which you already posted above.

 I'm not currently in position to sift trough 1990-1991 (the years I feel matter)
 but for 1990 you DO at least have a Lego mini catalog as bonus in issue 45 (which contains the  pirate sets)
 this catalog was inserted in both the store sold edition as well as the subscriber issue.
 if you find said Donald Duck issue (once again nr. 45-1990) the catalog is usually still inside.

Do you happpen to know if there are any interesting (Pirates, Caslte, Space, Town) LEGO ads in the Ducks from mid to late '90's?
Say, 1994 - 1997.
The thrift store where I found the Ducks also had (has?) those years.
I didn't buy them because we already had a lot of Ducks, but if there are specific editions I could go back.

[TalonCard]

Oh neat, I didn't realize that was a catalog! I thought it was just a once page ad!

[CvS]

On 11/20/2025 at 4:06 AM, TalonCard said:

Oh neat, I didn't realize that was a catalog! I thought it was just a once page ad!

Yep. It's 1990 Medium Dutch (921390-NL) / c90nl3

[TeriXeri]

This is cool to see.

I still got a bunch of old paper catalogs.

Sets also came with leaflets and mini catalogs.

Edited November 26, 2025 by TeriXeri

[Mister Phes]

On 11/27/2025 at 12:10 AM, TeriXeri said:

I still got a bunch of old paper catalogs.

Quick!  Get them into the scanner! 

[CvS]

Part IV of old LEGO-ads in the Dutch Donald Duck: Click!
Unfortunately no Pirates ads this time... 

I did however manage to find a copy of #43 - the Dutch LEGO-krant (newspaper).
That's the edition from the summer of 1989 and is all about Pirates (wel mostly)!

Edited February 2 by CvS

[TalonCard]

Great finds! Thank you for looking for the these.

[FestersQuest1989]

I have since searched 1990 and 1991,

the only Lego Pirate ads are in issues 25 and 38 of 1991.

1990 only has the Dutch Medium catalog in issue 45 (as pictured above already)

(click on images below for full size)

Edited February 7 by FestersQuest1989