SirSven7 Posted May 18, 2012 Hello all, I am not sure if many people are aware of this or not, but back in the 80s and 90s LEGO released a load of idea books aimed at helping children explore with LEGO. Included within these books were one or two instructions as well. So to cut a long story short, I found all the old ones which focused on castle sets and complied them all together into one article on one page. Below is the link if anyone is interested in seeing a Classic Carriage, a sawmill, a forestmens blacksmiths and much more. The Castle Idea Books Cheers all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hive Posted May 18, 2012 Great collection with several pics I hadn't seen before. Thanks for sharing. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain BeerBeard Posted May 18, 2012 I still own book 200 and 250! Thank's for posting this. They need to make more of these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheLegoDr Posted May 18, 2012 I haven't seen most of those pictures before, so thanks for sharing. Those books look sweet. It makes me sad how much Lego has changed over the years. Yes, we have more detailed prints and figures and pieces, but I will always miss the late 80s/early 90s when I was growing up with them. Crusaders/Falcons/Black Knights/Forestmen... too many great factions to forget. Some of the castles look exactly like something I would be impressed with when they first came out. It was a nice nostalgic feeling seeing these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Family Posted May 18, 2012 Just looked thruogh that link quickly since im in a hurry. But for sure i have time for a quick reply. That is simply awesome ! ... I recall i really really wanted some of those as a kid but never got them. Im gonna visit that link again as soon as i find the time. Thanks for sharing !! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Cook Posted May 18, 2012 I see you tacked some of the prototype shots onto the end. All those parts we could have had but never did. The puffy sleeves, the round topped shutters, the 4444 panels with ivy print. There are some in there I spy that we did receive eventually, the Brick, Modified Facet 3 x 3 x 2 Top on the well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smitty9999 Posted May 18, 2012 Thanks. I'm fortunate to have owned this books since the 80's and looking through your images and compared to my current LEGO collection, I can see that the books influenced my sets. I have a lot of civilian castle sets as opposed to military ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipper Posted May 19, 2012 Hmm, why am I so interested in every topic you make? I guess we have the same classical fixation when it comes to LEGO. My favorite is the Lion Knight's castle, something about it looks really epic. It's my desktop now. A project to recreate all of these would be awesome, unfortunately my Classic Castle colleciton is sadly still at 0--I haven't even managed to collect 1/10 of the Classic Pirates sets yet. Thanks for the pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackJonespaw Posted May 19, 2012 First reading this topic name I was thinking of the Lego Ideas Book released last year. But these are even more interesting. So much yellow! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fyrmedhatt Posted May 19, 2012 Yet another great post on your blog, SirSven7! I've read all your previous castle and pirate postings and enjoyed them tremendously. As for these castles in the idea books, they are just so big and different from the sets lego actually released. I really wish I could've had all those sets as a kid, I know I would have had so much fun building all these alternate instructions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lukeyboymac Posted May 19, 2012 Wow, way to make a man feel old. I have the original 6001 leaflet albeit in a tatty ripped old state. I thought it came with my yellow castle but could be wrong as I was only 3 in 1980! What fab memories and fab ideas. Thanks for the share. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraC Posted May 19, 2012 Thanks, that's a big help to a person like me who has just rediscovered lego! :D Time to build one of those little guard station thingys!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Blue Brick Posted May 19, 2012 I still love those prototype sets. I've never seen the castle idea books though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laura Beinbrech Posted May 20, 2012 I actually still have the 1990 and 1996(?) LEGO Idea books... I always loved the classics! I'm also intrigued by the prototype pics... Too bad some of them never came to be (i.e. official Crusaders oval shield, poofy sleeves and sea serpent), but it's interesting to see that some of them HAVE recently, namely the rapier with the Series 4 Musketeer and the just released Monster Fighters line, and the Tam O'Shanter with the Series 7 Bagpiper, just to name two.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Solitary Dark Posted May 20, 2012 Wow that brought some memories back - I definitely had the first book with the Castle/Space crossover. Thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitchensfocus Posted May 22, 2012 This is really informative so few of us knew about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karl1 Posted May 26, 2012 Thanks for doing that, i enjoyed it. And you do not want a monkey, trust me lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SonofTheShire Posted May 26, 2012 Wow, those prototypes are awesome! I love the sea monster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
