LEGO Historian

Thanks Tai, I'm glad you finally got it and you'll have many many happy hours of reading during the holidays!

Yes, the yellow box is in Swedish... I should have finished before posting that even though A/S NORSKE LEGO (of Oslo Norway) produced those sets for the Swedish market only... for Norway they produced these sets.... These are the LEGO Automatic Binding Bricks that were produced in Denmark since 1949, and the bricks were made of Cellulose Acetate. The only theory that I can think of why they produced sets under the PRIMA name for the Swedish market (same box, but in yellow, with different writing)... is that the Norwegian company (a subsidiary of Svein Strømberg & Co., a Norwegian plastics maker) wanted to use up their inventory of Polystyrene. And what better way to do that than to use LEGO molds (but without the logo) and produced similar sets for Sweden. They could not produced "LEGO" sets for Sweden, since they were not licensed to do so... until 1955... when the first LEGO sales in Sweden started. It was around this time that PRIMA sets were discontinued. The Automatic Binding Brick sets were discontinued for LEGO Mursten sets in 1953 in Denmark. By sometime in 1954 LEGO Mursten sets started sales in Norway... and by 1955 when real LEGO sets were introduced in Sweden... the LEGO Mursten sets were sold there as well. Here are the entire range of LEGO Mursten basic sets sold in all 3 countries by 1955... starting with the largest, going counter clockwise... 700/1, 700/2, 700/3, 700/3a, 700/4, 700/5, 700/6 and "2x2/2x4 bricks only" set 700A... All this information (and much much more) is in Chapters 2 (Automatic Binding Bricks and PRIMA) and Chapter 5 (Early LEGO Mursten and Basic Sets) of my LEGO DVD/download. Right now, I am offering a special in the Eurobricks Bazaar, where (from now to Christmas), if you buy one of my DVD/downloads (with over 6000 historic and modern images)... I will also send a (2nd) free download to the LEGO friend of your choice (as a Holiday gift), with a personalized LEGO Christmas greeting from you (total time to send the download is only 5-15 minutes). See my Bazaar ad for details! This offer is good retroactive!

Interestingly enough, I sent the LEGO Archives a copy of this 1400 set image... they responded to me that they have no record of it... and are inquiring with LEGO Japan as to why not?

My 2800 Page, 73 Chapter, 6000 image, 1/3 million word LEGO Encyclopedia... 1000 things you never knew about LEGO... from ordering to receiving takes less than 4 hours. You can order here... http://legocollectorsguide.weebly.com/

And then there's this odd number 1400 basic set (for ages 3 and up) from the 1980s.... it's from the collection of a Japanese collector friend. Not found in the vault or any online LEGO database or collectors guide. It's odd that such a recent set slipped under the collectors and TLG radar...

There are a lot of LEGO sets that are either unknown... or were never released, and are only known from prototypes. I have been working with the folks at LEGO Collections and Archives to try to solve these mysteries.... some of which we may never know the answer to. Some of these very obscure sets I have listed in my LEGO DVD download Chapter 15 - LEGO Prototypes... and one that there is no record of, I did an entire Appendix (Appendix A) of my download, because of it; continually coming up in LEGO ads or booklets, but never as a set. Here's one of the biggest mysteries, that a gentleman from Catalonia (Spain) had a copy of.... thus proving that some did get out of the company... a 1965 800 large LEGO set, that was only listed as selling in France, Norway and Denmark. Interestingly enough the one known Spanish owner of this set lives near the French border. Set 800... here are TLG Archive images... not much is known... except it looks like TLG took leftover paper meant for the soon discontinued front and back of the continental European Town Plan 200 board. The reason for this 1965 only set has never been found. And here's the inner box (a rare example of a cardboard upper box, and a plastic lower box)... Early 1954-56 PRIMA sets... These sets appear to have been produced by NORSKE LEGO A/S of Oslo Norway, an early producer of LEGO parts for Norway and Sweden. Why a PRIMA named set that had all the LEGO parts and brochures and box types, but with the PRIMA name (and not LEGO)... this mystery has never been explained. I talk about this in Chapter 2 of my LEGO DVD/download (early LEGO sets). The entire reason for PRIMA's existence is shrouded in mystery... neither TLG nor Norske LEGO has any information on these sets, which sometimes have parts with the LEGO logo, and an exact duplicate of the LEGO catalog. (down to the set designs and parts packs)... but with a PRIMA logon on the box and brochure. The only real oddity is that the parts are not made of Cellulose Acetate, but Polystyrene... Prima even had old Waffle Bottom plates in green and yellow, as well as old macaroni bricks in half and quarter circle in green and yellow... very unusua! And then there is a 1952 produced Danish Automatic Binding Bricks small basic set called 700/5... none have ever been found in circulation, but a Danish retailer brochure introduced them in 1952. Well I had TLG folks check and they found an image... but no box has yet been found to match it. Produced or only a prototype?? Lots more to come....

The first LEGO Christmas items were ads found in German magazines in the 1960s. Some of these were very nice..... (as found in my LEGO DVD/download chapter on LEGO Advertisements).... The first Christmas type set was not really a set, but a TLG free promotion for visitors to the Billund Factory in 1964. This set came in Danish and German language variations... this being the German one. The outer box shows just the LEGO logo colors, and inside are smaller boxes with Christmas emblems... but the contain only regular LEGO bricks inside, and no specific model to build.... ... and here's the inside boxes.... with the German leaflet.... (this set is found in Chapter 15 - LEGO Promotional Items.)... This 1977 LEGO Santa and Reindeer set was the first LEGO Christmas set for sale to the public... sold in Continental Europe and Britain. If you have a lot of time during the Holidays... you can always get one of my LEGO DVD downloads for your computer desktops (PC or MAC) to give you (hundreds of) hours of reading enjoyment about 1000 things you never knew about LEGO... still available as a download (with free future updates) in the LEGO Bazaar on Eurobricks....

The way toy stores stocked LEGO was different in USA/Canada, than it was in Europe. Here's are 2 images from my Retailer Chapter showing how Samsonite displayed their LEGO in an American Toy Store. Of course the selection of sets in USA/Canada was much different than those sets sold in Continental Europe, Britain and Australia.

Just redid the windows order (12/19).... Just posted some old (NEW) red LEGO windows (plus a few doors)... and some old (NEW) blue 1/4 century old mint blue baseplates... which due to their textured (non-stud) surface make the best lake or pool water feature of ANY LEGO baseplates. I've got the windows priced at 1/4 of what they would be if you bought them in Bricklink... and the blue baseplates are unavailable in Bricklink in mint condition.... The nearly $60 worth of Windows/doors only $9 each group (2 groups)... and the 2 rare blue Homemaker plates $10.... http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1555.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1555.l2649 The quantity available in BL seems to be dwindling... hence the high prices there... You get... 10 of these... http://www.bricklink...2494&colorID=12 10 of these... http://www.bricklink...=2493&colorID=5 Or with the blue baseplates... http://www.bricklink...P=367&colorID=7 HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY PRICES!!!!

Here's a 2 part display case that came from a 1959-60 continental European Retailer Catalog of LEGO display items... (the entire 24 page catalog is shown in the LEGO DVD/download chapter on retailer catalogs.... And speaking of Retailer Catalogs... here's a page from a 1960 German Retailer catalog on set ordering.... from the same chapter ... and from that same chapter... here's the back inside cover of a 1959 Retailer Binder... love the picture.... I love the old LEGO artwork, fashions, and box images.... And here's another image from the retailer window/counter display chapter... a 1955 Swedish LEGO display from a Goteburg Sweden department store. Note: the 2 dark set types in the left side of the image... those are MOSAIK (mosaic) sets 1300 (smaller) and 1301 (larger). These are so rare, that TLG had to buy the 1300 set on the secondary market for their own collections (only a few are known)... and the larger 1301 set... none are known... but TLG is still looking for this one for their collections (as are about a dozen collectors I know!).

Sorry... I guess it got aged off!!! Here is a link to 5 sample chapters (note some are from earlier versions of my older LEGO CD, and have been extensively updated and added to.... http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77046 It also it lists the Table of Contents... the 73 chapters (and zillion subchapters) as well as 4 appendices and 2 price guides (dollars and Euros), which has 10,156 prices listed, for older sets before 1980 (the ones rarely found online in Bricklink price guide). And it gives the link for ordering.... a DVD/download will get you a copy of the entire 2,800 pages + 6,000 plus images (688MB)... that can easily be downloaded to your desktop computer (both PC and MAC compatible)... in only about 6-10 minutes... Thanks for inquiring... the original Bazaar entry must have aged off!

I'm having a birthday week special on the Unofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors Guide as DVD/dowload (E-Book)... for 1 week $10 off the $29.95 price. You can either get it at that price on EBAY.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEGO-Sets-Parts-Collectors-Guide-1949-1990-Download-2-800-pages-/150975091380?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item2326d112b4 Or if you don't have an EBAY account, you can order it directly thru me, at my website (which I can't change the money amounts on, but I will refund you $10 via Paypal)... http://legocollectorsguide.weebly.com/ __________________ Here is a list of all the chapters that are in it.... Sample download chapters... (Note: some of these samples are from my 5 year old Vol. 1 CD (not the E-Book)), and the chapters have been extensively updated and expanded since then, over the last few years): http://www.1000stein...ter 48 Vol2.pdf http://www.1000stein...r TRAINS.v3.pdf http://www.geminisys.../chapter2v2.pdf http://www.geminisys...chapter32v2.pdf http://www.geminisys...chapter49v2.pdf ------------------------------------------------- LEGO E-Book Table of Contents.... PREFACE I - LEGO EARLY HISTORY 1.0 THE LEGO BRICK - THE EARLY HISTORY (1932-95). 52 Pages 1.1 The LEGO Company Early History (1932-49). 1.2 Automatic Binding Bricks - (1949-1953). 1.3 LEGO Mursten Years - (1953-1955). 1.4 LEGO System of Play - The Early Town Plan Years (1955-1958). 1.5 The Mature Town Plan Years (1958-1965). 1.6 New LEGO Systems & Early Legoland Years (1966-1972). 1.7 LEGO in Transition - The Legoland Years (1973-1980). 1.8 Updating the LEGO Systems (1980-86). 1.9 Expanding into new LEGO Systems (1987-95). 2.0 LEGO - AUTOMATIC BINDING BRICKS & PRIMA (1949-55). 29 pages 2.1 Denmark/Norway/Sweden Automatic Binding Bricks/LEGO (1949-53). 2.2 Automatic Binding Bricks Sets (1949-53). 2.3 Automatic Binding Bricks Spare Parts Packs (1950-53). 2.4 Automatic Binding Bricks - Individual Elements (1949-53). 2.5 Automatic Binding Bricks - Idea Brochures (1950-53). 2.6 GEAS - Automatic Binding Bricks - (1950-51). 2.7 PRIMA - Automatic Binding Bricks - (1953-55). II - LEGO TOWN SYSTEM SETS 3.0 LEGO TOWN PLAN SETS & BOARDS (1955-83). 33 pages 3.1 The Town Plan Boards (1955-70). 3.2 The Town Plan Sets (1957-70). 3.3 Later Town Scene Sets (1970-83). 4.0 LEGO BLUE/YELLOW BASIC & UNUSUAL MODEL SETS (1955-66). 11 pages 4.1 Mosaik LEGO Sets of Denmark/Norway/Sweden (1955-56). 4.2 #700/x Blue/Yellow Basic Building Sets - (1958-64). 4.3 #717 Junior Constructor Set - USA/Canada (1961-65). 4.4 #712 Wooden Box Set - Germany (1963-65). 4.5 #600/1 Basic Building Set - Britain/Ireland/Australia (1962-65). 4.6 #800 Building Set - Denmark/Norway/France (1966). 5.0 LEGO BASIC SETS (1953-65). 40 pages 5.1 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia LEGO Basic Sets (1953-65). 5.1.1 #700 Basic Set Boxes/Instructions/Inserts/Contents Variations (1953-65). 5.1.2 #700 Basic Sets EU/UK/Australia (1953-65) 5.1.3 #700 Switzerland Basic Sets (1957-65). 5.2 USA/Canada Samsonite LEGO Basic Sets (1961-65). 6.0 LEGO UNIVERSAL BUILDING SETS (1965-81). 25 pages 6.1 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia LEGO Basic Sets (1965-72). 6.1.1 LEGO Basic Sets (1965-70). 6.1.2 LEGO Basic Sets (1968-72). 6.2 USA/Canada Samsonite LEGO Basic Sets (1965-73). 6.3 LEGO Universal Building Sets (1973-75). 6.4 LEGO Universal Building Sets (1976-81). 7.0 LEGO BASIC SETS (1980-90). 11 pages 7.1 Regular/Special Boxed Basic LEGO Sets (1980-90). 8.0 LEGO TOWN MODEL SETS (1955-71). 40 pages 8.1 LEGO Town Plan Model Sets (1955-65). 8.2 LEGO Town/Model Makers Sets (1962-71). 9.0 LEGOLAND TOWN MODEL SETS (1971-79). 39 pages 9.1 Large Legoland Town Sets (1971-79). 9.2 Small Legoland Town Sets (1971-79). 10.0 LEGOLAND LARGE TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90). 24 pages 10.1 Legoland Large Town Model Sets (1980-90). 11.0 LEGOLAND SMALL TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90). 39 pages 11.1 Small Legoland Town Sets (1980-90). 12.0 USA/CANADA DEPARTMENT STORE CATALOG SETS (1962-75). 22 pgs 12.1 Department Store Catalog Sets in Colorful Boxes (1962-75). 12.2 Department Store Catalog Sets in Brown Cardboard Boxes (1966-72). 13.0 LEGO PARADISA SETS (1992-98). 12 pages 13.1 Paradisa Type Sets (1992-98). 14.0 WOODEN BOX LEGO SETS (1950-80). 37 pages 14.1 Retailer Wooden Boxes (1950-80). 14.2 Samsonite USA/Canada Educational Wooden Boxes (1963-circa 1966). 14.3 LEGO #700 Wooden Box Sets (1957-65). 14.4 LEGO Wooden Box Sets (1959-72). 14.5 LEGO Wooden Box Content Lists (1957-72). 14.6 Wooden Box Sets With Red Masonite Lid (1965-78). 15.0 SUITCASE SETS & PLASTIC/CLOTH STORAGE (1966-95). 12 pages 15.1 Suitcase & Travel Case Sets (1966-95). 15.2 Plastic/Cloth Storage (1971-87). 16.0 LEGO BUCKETS & STORAGE CASES ( 1984-92). 12 pages 16.1 LEGO Bucket & Storage Case Sets (1984-92). 17.0 LEGO PROMOTIONAL SETS (1955-99). 49 pages 17.1 USA Promotional LEGO Sets (1963-86). 17.2 Canadian Promotional LEGO Sets (1984-87). 17.3 British Promotional LEGO Sets (1967-99). 17.4 Continental European Promotional LEGO Sets (1972-99). 17.5 Other Parts of the World Promotional LEGO Sets (1985-96). 17.6 World’s Fair LEGO Sets (1964-65). 17.7 LEGO Company Promotional Sets (1958-95). 17.8 Other Company Promotional Sets (1963-75). 17.9 LEGO 1:87 Promotional Cars/Trucks (1955-67). 18.0 LEGO SETS/PARTS NOT PUT INTO PRODUCTION (1955-2000). 29 pgs 18.1 LEGO Sets Not Put Into Production (1955-2000). 18.2 LEGO Elements Not Put Into Production (1955-95). III - OTHER LEGO SYSTEM SETS 19.0 LEGO BLUE TRACK TRAIN SYSTEM (1966-1979). 32 pages 19.1 LEGO Push/4.5 Volt Train System Sets (1966-79). 19.2 LEGO 12 Volt Train System Sets (1969-79). 19.3 LEGO Train System Service Packs (1970-79). 20.0 LEGO GRAY TRACK TRAIN SYSTEM (1980-1990). 32 pages 20.1 LEGO Gray Track Push and 4.5V Train System (1980-90). 20.2 LEGO Gray Track 12V Electric Train System (1980-90). 20.3 LEGO Gray Track Train System Sets & Parts Packs (1980-90). 20.4 LEGO Gray Track Train System Service Packs (1980-90). 21.0 EARLY PRE-SCHOOL, DUPLO & NURSERY BRICKS (1950-79). 16 pages 21.1 Early LEGO Pre-School (1950-53). 21.2 Samsonite/European LEGO Pre-School (1964-72). 21.3 LEGO Duplo/Pre-School/Nursery Bricks (1969-79). 22.0 LEGO DUPLO SYSTEM SETS (1980-1990). 45 pages 22.1 LEGO Duplo Sets (1980-90) 23.0 LEGO FABULAND SYSTEM (1979-1989). 37 pages 23.1 LEGO Fabuland Sets (1979-89) 24.0 LEGO MOTORS & GEARS & SETS (1965-1993). 19 pages 24.1 LEGO Motors (1965-93). 24.2 Samsonite LEGO Gears (1965-73). 24.3 European LEGO Gears (1970-77). 25.0 TECHNIC & EXPERT BUILDER SYSTEM SETS (1977-1990). 28 pages 25.1 Early LEGO Expert Builder/Technical Sets (1977-80). 25.2 LEGO Expert Builder/Technic Sets (1980-90). 26.0 LEGO EARLY CASTLE SYSTEM (1959-83). 8 pages 26.1 Early LEGO Castle (1959-77). 26.2 Early Classic LEGO Castle Sets (1978-83). 27.0 LEGO CLASSIC CASTLE SYSTEM (1984-90). 17 pages 27.1 Classic Castle System Sets (1984-90). 28.0 LEGO CLASSIC PIRATES SYSTEM (1989-93). 14 pages 28.1 Classic Pirates Sets (1989-93). 29.0 LEGO EARLY SPACE SYSTEM (1964-80). 9 pages 29.1 Early LEGO Space (1964-78). 29.2 Early Classic LEGO Space Sets (1978-80). 30.0 LEGO SPACE SYSTEM (1980-93). 46 pages 30.1 Classic Space Sets (1980-88). 31.0 HOMEMAKER SETS & LEGO SETS WITH PEOPLE (1971-82). 22 pages 31.1 Early LEGO Doll House Furniture (1959-65). 31.2 Samsonite LEGO Doll House Furniture (1965-66). 31.3 Homemaker LEGO Sets (1971-1982). 31.4 LEGO Building Sets with People/Family Sets (1974-1980). 31.5 LEGO Basic Sets with People (1976-1981). 32.0 EARLY LEGO SCALA SYSTEM (1979-82). 6 pages 32.1 Early Scala Sets (1979-82). 33.0 LEGO HOBBY SETS (1975-79). 5 pages 33.1 LEGO Hobby Model Sets.(1975-79). 34.0 LEGO MINITALIA SETS & PARTS (1970-1980). 15 pages 34.1 LEGO Minitalia History (1970-80). 34.2 LEGO Minitalia Parts (1970-80). 34.3 Minitalia & Minitalia-Like Sets (1970-80). 35.0 EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURAL LEGO SETS (1963-65). 9 pages 35.1 Architectural LEGO Sets (1963-65). 35.2 Architectural LEGO Spare Parts Packs (1963-65). IV - LEGO - MISCELLANEOUS SETS & ACCESSORIES 36.0 LEGO CARS & TRUCKS w/ METAL WHEELS (1953-70). 62 pages 36.1 1:87 LEGO Cars w/ Metal Wheels (1956-69). 36.2 1:87 LEGO Trucks w/ Metal Wheels (1955-1970). 36.3 1:87 LEGO Car/Truck Multi-Packs (1965-68). 36.4 Non LEGO System Vehicles & 1:43 Trucks (1953-58). 37.0 LEGO IDEA BOOKS, BOOKLETS & PAMPHLETS (1950-75). 31 pages 37.1 Early LEGO Mursten Building Idea Brochure (1950-55) 37.2 Early Unnumbered LEGO Building Idea Booklets (1955-63). 37.3 LEGO Building Idea Leaflets/Booklets (1959-65). 37.4 LEGO Building Idea Book #238 Variations (1960-68). 37.5 LEGO Building Idea Books (1966-75). 37.6 Unnumbered LEGO Books/Blueprints (1965-68). 38.0 LEGO IDEA BOOKS (1971-90). 10 pages 38.1 Magazine Style LEGO Idea Books (1971-90). 39.0 EDUCATIONAL/INSTITUTIONAL LEGO SETS (1961-80). 11 pages 39.1 LEGO Educational Sets (1961-80). 40.0 EARLY LEGO SPARE PART PACKS (1950-66). 62 pages 40.1 Spare Part Packs (1950-55). 40.2 Spare Part Packs (1955-58). 40.3 Spare Part Packs (1959-66). 40.4 Spare Part Pack Content Variations (1955-66). 40.5 #235/#1235 Garage Pack Box Styles (1955-66). 40.6 Spare Part Pack Brochures (1955-66). 41.0 LEGO SPARE PART PACKS (1966-79). 54 pages 41.1 LEGO Spare Part Packs (1965-73). 41.1.1 Continental Europe Spare Part Packs (1966-68). 41.1.2 Continental Europe Spare Part Packs (1969-72). 41.1.3 Britain/Australia Spare Part Packs (1966-72). 41.1.4 USA Samsonite Spare Part Packs (1966-72). 41.1.5 Canada Samsonite Spare Part Packs (1966-68). 41.1.6 Canada Samsonite Spare Part Packs (1969-73). 41.2 LEGO Spare Part Packs (1973-79). 42.0 LEGO SPARE PART PACKS (1980-91). 13 pages 42.1 LEGO Spare part packs 1980-91). 43.0 LEGO SERVICE PACKS & INDIVIDUAL PART SALES (1950-90). 49 pages 43.1 Denmark/Norway - Individual Part Sales (1950-65). 43.2 LEGO 1:80/1:87 Car/Truck Retailer Boxes (1955-67). 43.3 Continental Europe - Retailer 1:87 Vehicle Boxes (1957-64). 43.3 Continental Europe - Retailer Window/Door Boxes (1957-66). 43.4 Britain/Australia - Mail Order Service Packs (1970-76). 43.5 Continental Europe Individual Specialty Parts Sales (1972-76). 43.6 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia - Service Packs (1977-86). 43.7 USA - Mail Order Service Packs (1980-84). 43.8 Cont. Europe/Britain/Australia - Service Packs/Mail Order (1987-90). 43.9 Canada Service Packs/Mail Order (1987-90). 43.10 USA Service Packs/Mail Order (1987-90). 43.11 International Service Packs/Mail Order (1991-95). V - LEGO - EARLY PARTS 44.0 LEGO WINDOWS AND DOORS (1949-90). 33 pages 44.1 Automatic Binding Bricks - Windows/Doors (1949-55). 44.2 Early Classic LEGO Windows/Doors with Wings (1954-56). 44.3 Classic LEGO Windows/Doors (1956-86). 44.4 1970’s Era LEGO Windows/Doors (1971-86). 44.5 Modern LEGO Windows/Doors (1978-90). 44.6 LEGO Utility Doors & Shutters (1967-90). 45.0 LEGO TREES & BUSHES (1955-99). 20 pages 45.1 Early LEGO Trees & Bushes (1955-60). 45.2 LEGO Trees & Bushes (1960-72). 45.3 LEGO Trees & Bushes - USA/Canada (1963-72). 45.4 Granulated LEGO Trees & Bushes (1970-74). 45.5 Modern LEGO Trees (1974-99). 45.6 Modern LEGO ExoticTrees/Bushes (1989-2004). 45.7 Modern LEGO Plant Parts (1976-Present). 46.0 LEGO GARAGES/SERVICE STATIONS & ACCESSORIES (1955-85).35 pgs 46.1 LEGO Garages w/ Garage Doors (1955-82). 46.1.1 LEGO Town Plan Flip-up Garages (1955-71) 46.1.2 LEGO 1:87 Auto Garages (1962-70). 46.1.3 1970’s LEGO Garages (1971-82). 46.2 LEGO Open Garages (1957-75). 46.3 Esso Service Station & Accessories (1955-67). 46.4 Shell Service Station & Accessories (1966-85). 46.5 Exxon Service Station & Accessories - USA (1979-85). 47.0 OLD LEGO TOWN ACCESSORIES (1955-96). 49 pages 47.1 LEGO Flags (1957-86). 47.1.1 LEGO Wavy Flags (1957-73). 47.1.2 LEGO Straight Country/LEGO Flags with Stickers (1973-82). 47.1.3 LEGO Non-Country Straight Flags (1973-86). 47.2.2 LEGO Road Signs (1955-87). 47.2.2.1 Early LEGO Road Signs (1955-72). 47.2.2 Tall LEGO Road Signs (1969-87). 47.3 LEGO Streetlights (1957-72). 47.4 LEGO Bicyclists/Motorcyclists (1956-65). 476.5 LEGO Police/Traffic Accessories (1956-81). 47.5.1 LEGO Traffic Police & Accessories (1956-65) 47.5.2 LEGO Police Freestanding Sign (1976-82) 47.6 LEGO Antennas (1969-86). 47.7 LEGO Lighting Device (1957-96). 48.0 OLD PRINTED & PAINTED LEGO ELEMENTS (1955-1986). 45 pages 48.1 LEGO Printed Beams (1955-65). 48.2 LEGO Printed Beams (1966-85). 48.3 LEGO Printed Train Beams (1966-80). 48.4 LEGO Alphabet/Number Bricks (1957-86). 48.5 LEGO Stickers (1971-82). 48.6 Painted LEGO Parts (1955-72). 48.7 Modern Printed & Stickered Lego Parts (1980-Present). 49.0 OLD LEGO BRICKS (1949-90). 49 pages 49.1 LEGO Slotted Bricks (1949-56). 49.2 LEGO Non-Slotted Hollow Bottom Bricks (1956-58). 49.3 LEGO Stud Fonts and Pat. Pend. (1955-Present). 49.4 LEGO Tube Bottom/Post Bottom Bricks (1958-90). 49.5 LEGO 2 Stud Wide Bricks (1949-80). 49.6 LEGO 1 Stud Wide Bricks (1954-80). 49.7 Bayer LEGO Test Bricks. 49.8 LEGO Modern Bricks (1980-Present). 50.0 EARLY LEGO PLATES (1955-80). 19 pages 50.1 Waffle Bottom & Early Circle Bottom Plates (1955-72). 50.2 Waffle/Circle Bottom Plate Variations (1955-72). 50.3 Small Circle Bottom LEGO Plates (1963-80). 50.4 Large Circle Bottom LEGO Plates (1963-80). 50.5 Early Modified LEGO Plates (1966-80). 50.6 Modern LEGO Plates (1980-present). 51.0 EARLY LEGO ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS (1954-92). 20 pages 51.1 1x1 Round Bricks (1955-Present). 51.2 1x1 Fat (Minifig Head) Round Bricks (1975-92). 51.3 2x2 Quarter Circle/2x4 Half Circle Curved Bricks (1955-80). 51.4 2x2 Round Bricks & Plates (1978-82). 51.5 LEGO Lattice Fences/Gates (1966-92). 51.6 LEGO Arch Bricks (1971-92). 51.7 LEGO Tiles (1965-80). 51.8 Modern LEGO Miscellaneous Elements (1980-Present). 52.0 EARLY LEGO SLOPED BRICKS (1958-86). 13 pages 52.1 LEGO 45 Degree Sloped Bricks (1958-79). 52.2 LEGO 33 Degree Low Sloped Bricks (1971-86). 52.3 LEGO 75 Degree Steep Sloped Bricks (1978-86). 52.4 LEGO Inverted Sloped Bricks (1976-86). 52.5 Modern LEGO Sloped Bricks (1986-Present). 53.0 EARLY WHEEL,VEHICLE & TRAIN ACCESSORIES (1962-80). 13 pages 53.1 LEGO Town Wheels, Tires and Axles (1962-80). 53.2 LEGO Truck & Car Accessories (1962-80). 53.3 LEGO Train Wheels & Accessories (1966-79). 53.4 Modern LEGO Wheel, Vehicle & Train Accessories (1980-Present). 54.0 LEGO GEAR & EARLY TECHNIC PARTS (1965-82). 7 pages 54.1 LEGO Samsonite and European Gears & Accessories (1965-79). 54.1.1 LEGO Samsonite Gears in USA/Canada (1965-73). 54.1.2 LEGO European Gears (1970-79). 54.2 Early LEGO Expert Builder/Technic Accessories (1977-82). 54.3 Modern LEGO Technic Accessories (1983-Present). 55.0 EARLY LEGO AIRPLANE, JET& BOAT PARTS (1970-80). 6 pages 55.1 LEGO Airplane/Jet/Rocket Parts & Accessories (1970-80). 55.2 LEGO Boat Parts & Accessories (1973-80). 55.3 Modern LEGO Airplane, Jet & Boat Parts (1980-Present). 56.0 LEGO MAXIFIG’S/EARLY MINIFIG’S & ACCESSORIES (1974-82). 9 pages 56.1 LEGO Maxifig’s & Accessories (1974-82). 56.2 Early LEGO Minifig’s & Accessories (1975-82). 56.3 Modern LEGO Minifig’s & Accessories (1982-Present). 57.0 LEGO CLASSIC SPACE ACCESSORIES (1979-87). 6 pages 57.1 LEGO Classic Space Accessories (1979-87). 57.2 Modern LEGO Space Accessories (1988-Present). 58.0 LEGO HOMEMAKER ACESSORIES (1971-82). 4 pages 58.1 LEGO Homemaker Accessories (1971-82). 59.0 EARLY LEGO BASEPLATES & ROAD PLATES (1950-90). 25 pages 59.1 LEGO 10x20 Thick Baseplates (1950-90). 59.2 LEGO 10x10 Thick Baseplates (1961-70). 59.3 LEGO Thin Baseplates (1965-94). 59.4 LEGO Roadway Baseplates (1970-90). 59.5 Modern LEGO Baseplates & Road Plates (1990-present). 60.0 THE LEGO PLASTICS - CELLULOSE ACETATE & ABS. 8 pages 60.1 Cellulose Acetate - The Unstable Plastic (1949-70). 60.2 Problems with Cellulose Acetate LEGO Sets. 60.3 Switch to ABS Plastic (1963-70) 60.4 Problems with ABS Plastic (1963-80). VI - OTHER LEGO INFORMATION 61.0 EARLY LEGO CATALOGS (1950-65). 42 pages 61.1 Early LEGO Catalogs. 62.0 EARLY LEGO PICTURED PARTS CATALOG (1949-67). 12 pages 62.1 Individual LEGO Parts Catalog (1949-67). 62.2 Regional LEGO Parts Catalog (1955-66). 63.0 LEGO BOXES & IMAGES - DESIGNS & ARTWORK (1949-90). 22 pages 63.1 LEGO Basic Set Box Top Designs (1949-80). 63.2 LEGO Basic Set Box Top Designs (1980-90). 63.3 LEGO Box Artwork (1956-59). 63.4 LEGO Boxes/Images with Christiansen Family Members (1950-71). 64.0 LEGO INSTRUCTIONS, CONTENT LISTS & BROCHURES (1949-90). 22 pages 64.1 Automatic Binding Bricks Instructions & Idea Booklets (1949-53). 64.2 LEGO Mursten Instructions (1954-55). 64.3 LEGO Model & Basic Set Instructions (1955-65). 64.4 LEGO Town Plan Set Instructions & Content Lists (1961-67). 64.5 LEGO Spare Parts Pack Instructions (1955-65). 64.6 LEGO Wooden Box Set Content Lists & Booklets (1957-78). 64.7 LEGO Architectural Set Instructions & Booklets (1963-65). 64.8 LEGO Basic Set Instructions (1965-79). 64.9 LEGO Model Set Instructions (1965-79). 64.10 LEGO Castle System Instructions (1978-82). 64.11 LEGO Technic/Expert Builder System Instructions (1977-82). 64.12 LEGO Modern Building Instructions (1979-90). 65.0 EXCLUSIVE LEGO ELEMENTS BY REGION (1949-85). 19 pages 65.1 Denmark Only LEGO Elements. 65.2 Norway Only LEGO Elements. 65.3 Sweden Only LEGO Elements. 65.4 Denmark/Norway/Sweden Only LEGO Elements. 65.5 Continental European Only LEGO Elements. 65.6 Specific Country Continental European Only LEGO Elements. 65.7 Britain/Australia/Ireland Only LEGO Elements. 65.8 Europe/Australia Only LEGO Elements. 65.9 Europe/Australia/Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.10 USA/Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.11 USA Only LEGO Elements. 65.12 Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.13 Other Country Exclusive LEGO Elements. 66.0 LEGO RETAILER BINDERS & CATALOGS (1953-87). 45 pages 66.1 LEGO Retailer Binders & Catalogs. 67.0 LEGO RETAILER DISPLAY MODEL CATALOGS (1958-61). 15 pages 67.1 LEGO Retailer Display Model Catalogs. 68.0 LEGO MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENTS (1953-86). 37 pages 68.1 LEGO Magazine Advertisements. 69.0 USA/CANADA MAIL ORDER CATALOG LEGO SALES (1962-75). 17 pages 69.1 USA/Canada Department Store LEGO Mail Order Advertisements. 70.0 EARLY LEGO DISPLAYS, MODEL SHOPS & TOY FAIRS (1955-80). 22 pgs 70.1 LEGO Retailer Displays (1955-72). 70.2 LEGO Model Shops & Display Models (1955-80). 70.3 Early LEGO Toy Fairs (1959-65). 71.0 LEGO TV COMMERCIALS (1958-99). 4 pages 71.1 Old LEGO TV Commercials. 72.0 LEGO LOGOS (1936-Present). 12 pages 72.1 Old LEGO Company Logos. 73.0 LEGO SALES OFFICES/HISTORY. 18 pages 73.1 LEGO Sales Offices/History by Country/Year. _________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX A - 1961 PROTOTYPE #717 JUNIOR CONSTRUCTOR SET - INSTRUCTIONS AND HISTORY. 13 pages APPENDIX B - LEGO CLONES & OTHER BUILDING TOY SYSTEMS. 13 pages APPENDIX C - LEGO COUNTERFEITS/REPRODUCED BOXES/PARTS. 16 pages APPENDIX D - MODULEX BUILDING SYSTEM. 9 pages ________________________________________________________________ OLDER SETS LEGO INSURANCE PRICE LIST (1949-80) in Dollars 393 pages OLDER SETS LEGO INSURANCE PRICE LIST (1949-80) in Euros 393 pages END

One of my favorite images in my DVD/download is this one that is the first image found in Chapter 9 - Legoland Model Sets 1971-79. This image was from an American toy retailer catalog, and its' purpose was to show the high sales and profit that LEGO would bring to toy retailers. While the image is sort of funny, there are several interesting things about the 1970s sets shown here. All the sets have the USA set numbers. From 1972-79 USA LEGO sets had different set numbers than the rest of the world. Examples such as 384/760 London Bus Set. Or 375/6075 Yellow Castle Set... etc. TLG has never explained this difference. But I have come up with a very good reason... in 1972-73 TLG revoked the license from USA Samsonite... and in order to better monitor that no Samsonite of Canada LEGO sets were being shipped from Canada to the USA.... TLG gave the USA unique set numbers. Of course there were a select few sets that the USA and Canada did share the numbers to... such as the 190 Farm Set (only sold in those 2 countries), and the 575 Coast Guard Set (sold earlier as 369... a year earlier in the rest of the world). As I already mentioned this image shows the American set numbers... but if you look at the 190 Farm Sets on the lower right shelf... you will notice that some sets have a blue background, and others a green-brown background, which makes for an interesting box variation.

Nothing says Christmas like a nice window display. The only thing missing from the movie CHRISTMAS STORY at "Higby's Department Store" window (where the kids have their "piggy" noses pressed up to the glass... is LEGO in that classic and nostalgic American Holiday movie scene. That movie was set in the late 1940s (or thereabouts)... so here's some early LEGO window displays.... 1959 Chrome & Goldschmidt Detpartment Store Copenhagen.... 1960 Odense Denmark Toy Store window... Detroit Michigan at Christmas 1962.... J. L. Hudson's Department Store Samsonite LEGO window display... And here's a "1960s LEGO Christmas" display that I set up under my own Christmas tree about 10 years ago..... Just some of the images in my LEGO DVD/download chapter on LEGO Retailer displays, glued display models, model catalogs, and retailer accessories.

Gettting back to the 4 year old discussion about the flesh colored minfig heads... the first use of a different color... was WAY back in 1977... the year before minifigs (as we know them) was introduced. There was a 215 Indians set with the large scale Homemaker set style heads... and one of the figures was a small American Indian papoose.... http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?I=215-1 This used the rare solid stud red (no face) minifig head. This was the first and only time for many decades that a minifig head would be of a different color...

It is not just exotic old parts that had a limited production location... some other regular parts also did... The 2x8 and 2x10 bricks were produced in many colors... but in trans-clear they were only produced in the USA... and then only from 1968-70 in the 045 trans-clear Samsonite LEGO parts pack. Another older piece... the 4x4 corner brick, first produced in 1955 and retired in 1972, was only produced in 4 colors... red, white, blue and yellow. However in USA/Canada (only) it was also produced in black from 1963-67. Even today we have a few parts that were only produced in specific locations. The Maersk blue 1x1 hollow stud round bricks (never found in any set)... all came from excess Windsor England model shop surplus that went to Pic-A-Brick walls in the UK. All the ones on the market today come from there. And then there were the old printed bricks that had country specific building names (from my printed brick chapter of the LEGO DVD/download) such as THEATER, GRAND THEATER, THEATRE, TEATER, TEATRO, TEATTERI... http://www.1000steine.de/brickset/miscellaneous/Lego%20Chapter%2048%20Vol2.pdf

Aanchir... I have seen many pictures from the LEGO Vault in Billund... and sometimes TLG doesn't do a very good job of stacking their sets in there... You can find some huge 10 kg sets that are stacked on a few small sets that are kept in groaning agony waiting for someone to remove the big sets before the little ones collapse under all that weight....

It doesn't happen that much anymore... but it used to be somewhat common that some LEGO elements were NOT sold in all LEGO countries. Granted some sets are still country specific... such as the South African flag brick set that was only sold there in the 1990s, some of the earlier Maersk sets that were mainly Denmark (since A/S Möller, the parent of Maersk is HQ'ed in Copenhagen), and many of the promotional sets... Weetabix, Kellogg's, Kraft, Quaker Oats, Unilever, Danone, Canada Post, as well as many of the airline and ferry line sets... (I have a LEGO DVD/download chapter that has over 100 promotional sets listed and pictured, which country they're from, advertisement images, and what year they were introduced, going all the way back to 1955). But LEGO parts that are unique to different countries... are another more obscure issue... Here's an image that I use in my LEGO DVD/download promotions, that shows a lot of parts that are country/region specific.... Starting in the upper right and going clockwise (followed by the middle).... 1) red waffle bottom plates and garage plate (without LEGO on the studs).... Denmark, Norway, Sweden in 1236 garage sets, and 1235 garage kits of 1955-56. 2) Wavy flags... 1957-72... these were sold in continental Europe, Britain/Ireland/Australia, Japan, USA and Canada. The very rare flag with the white background and red cross was only sold in extremely limited quantities in the Faroe Islands between Scotland and Norway. The rare Japanese wavy flag was only sold in Japan. Not shown is the scarce wavy Australian flag, only sold in Britain, Ireland and Australia. 3) Green classic windows/doors... only sold in Norway 1954-56. 4) 4 versions of the freestanding Esso Sign... sold in all countries (production 1955-67)... but the curved top version was only sold in Britain/Ireland and Australia. 5) 4 color variations on the 1x1 round bricks with Esso Oil Drum stickers. Only sold in Denmark 1955-58, and very very collectible. 6) Road signs with gray bases and white poles (1955-69)... sold in all countries except Sweden (where the poles were yellow). Also sold for a very limited time in in Britain/Ireland/Australia. 7) Dark blue classic windows/doors... only sold in Denmark (1954-56). 8) Traffic Light Pole and Traffic cone... only sold in Denmark (1956-65), Norway (1956-65) and Netherlands (1961-65) with black pole, and gray traffic cone. The white pole and white traffic cone versions are likely very rare painting errors. 9) 6 different sets of Esso gas pumps... the upper 2 were Denmark, Norway Sweden only (1955-57)... the lower right was Britain, Ireland and Australia only (1962-67)... the other 3 were worldwide (1956-67). 10) 1950s style flat bottom trees... only sold in continental Euope (1955-60). 11) 19 different road signs in 2 images with white base... these were only sold in Britain, Ireland and Australia from 1962-72. The rectangular "Motorway M1" is very rare. Middle images going down... 12) Yellow tall classic windows/doors... Sweden only (1954-56).... (NOTE: the LEGO Archives just recently obtained a set of these for the first time for their collections... off the secondary market). 13) 3 Esso printed bricks... ESSO SERVICE... worldwide... ESSO WAGENPFLEGE... only Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and German speaking parts of Switzerland... ESSO HUOLTO.. very rare... only Finland. 14) classic windows/doors (no studs on top, and no "glass")... Denmark, Norway, Sweden only... 1954-56. _____________________________________ This is just but a fraction of the country specific parts research I've done... and most of this is not available in any online database. Chapter 65 of my LEGO DVD/download, has this very complex assortment of LEGO parts from 1949-85 split up by country... with over 100 different parts that match "country specific" criteria listed and pictured. This chapter took up a long period of research for me to put together... but I like to play LEGO Sherlock Holmes.... 65.0 EXCLUSIVE LEGO ELEMENTS BY REGION (1949-85). 65.1 Denmark Only LEGO Elements. 65.2 Norway Only LEGO Elements. 65.3 Sweden Only LEGO Elements. 65.4 Denmark/Norway/Sweden Only LEGO Elements. 65.5 Continental European Only LEGO Elements. 65.6 Specific Country Continental European Only LEGO Elements. 65.7 Britain/Australia/Ireland Only LEGO Elements. 65.8 Europe/Australia Only LEGO Elements. 65.9 Europe/Australia/Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.10 USA/Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.11 USA Only LEGO Elements. 65.12 Canada Only LEGO Elements. 65.13 Other Country Exclusive LEGO Elements. Still available in the Eurobricks Bazaar...

Well I just got another image for my next version of the DVD download collectors guilde (free to people who own the current version).... This is the first and only time I have EVER seen an image of the entire Christiansen family. This image was taken in 1962 for Germany's Quick magazine. The magazine mentions that Godtfred's idea of The LEGO System of Play made him a millionaire. Here we have (left to right) mother Edith Christiansen, her 14 year old son Kjeld Kirk, father Godtfed Kirk, 10 year old daughter Hanne and 16 year old daughter Gunhild. Of these five, Edith, Kjeld Kirk and Gunhild still survive. Godtfred passed away in 1995 at the age of 74, and daugher Hanne passed away in 1969 (age 18) in an auto accident. Edith must now be at least in her upper 80s. This will be one of many new b/w images that will be in my LEGO DVD/download Chapter 73 - LEGO Sales by Country. Kjeld is holding what looks like a Saturn 5 rocket. The following year (1963), the very first LEGO Space set... the 801 Space Rocket set (USA Samsonite LEGO) was introduced.

Depending on how far back your childhood goes.... Also some folks find old LEGO at garage sales, etc... sometimes (especially in the USA0 old is very old indeed... TLG switched over from Cellulose Acetate to ABS plastic circa 1963. However this switch over took much longer in the USA than elsewhere. Red and yellow Cellulose Acetate parts continued to be used into the 1970s (as did old waffle bottom plates and hollow bottom 1x6 and 1x8 bricks. TLG switched over from Cellulose Acetate to ABS plastic for a good reason. Cellulose Acetate (Bayer Corp., which produced it for TLG called it "Cellidor")...was an unstable plastic... so if you have some really old LEGO and it appears warped (give it the wobble test by lying it onto a flat surface and see if it wobles)... then you likely have Cellulose Acetate LEGO...red and yellow are most common in the USA... their color is an almost orange-red or chiffon yellow color. Also many newer old red and yellow parts appear darker... not due to age.. but due to the fact that they contain Cadmium, a heavy metal. It was determined that this was not good for landfills, so TLG switched over the darker red and yellow cadmium laced parts to cadmium-free ABS plastic. The other LEGO colors did not have this element, which was included in those 2 colors to help in the colorization process. I have an entire chapter in my 2,800 page DVD download (in the Eurobricks Bazaar)... that deals with the problems with Cellulose Acetate and Cadmium laced LEGO.

You are most welcome... i'm going to have to visit some of the other Eurobricks forums from time to time in case I can help out... My 2,800 page Unnofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors Guide as DVD/download... goes back to day 1 of LEGO Trains (1966)... such as this "Ben Beneke" produced earliest LEGO couplings diagram... It's available in Eurobricks Bazaar...

Well this is one of those mysteries that I like to call "LEGO Mayhem".... why TLG made a change is unknown to us... but at some time during the 1991-94 production period of the 4563 (shorter period for the 4551), TLG switched from having a 4x3 opening under the window to a 4x2 opening (not the other way around as Peeron seems to indicate). So the part with the 4x3 opening was from circa 1991-92... and the part with the 4x2 opening dates to circa 1992-2006. Note: Peeron is incorrect with regards to the green part of the 2006 dated 7898 train... here's an image from Bricklink of the green part... and the opening is NOT 3 bricks tall... http://www.bricklink...&colorID=6&in=A The switch from a larger opening to a smaller opening involved some other parts being needed for the set.... if you scroll down to the bottom of this Bricklink parts page, and look at the "Alternate Parts" at the bottom... all the red and white parts listed are involved with this 2924 part redesign.: http://www.bricklink...nv.asp?S=4563-1 Early versions of the 2 sets had the 3 brick tall opening... and just the regular instructions. Later after the part was redesigned to only a 2 brick tall opening, TLG likely continued to ship out the original earlier instructions, and just sent along a supplemental sheet to show the part change and the building instruction changes that went along with it. Here's the original build instructions... http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/107 And once the part was redesigned, here's the supplemental sheet with changed instructions (note also there is only 1 white plate)... http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/7 Why TLG redesigned this piece? No clue... They sometimes made changes for no known (to us) reason....

These have all sold... but I do have some pricey LEGO red windows for sale at a fraction of their Bricklink price.... and some Homemaker baseplates that make awesome pools or lakes... http://www.ebay.com/sch/istokg/m.html?item=150968330646&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Yes it certainly is!! Plus using the encapsulation services "population statistics"... is really misleading... and really doesn't do the secondary market any justice. If you wanted to buy (or even sell some of these sets)... then the unrealistic prices will make it unrealistic for the average AFOL... I know of a German large collector who has kept many auction records for at least the last 8 years... he's shaking his head in disbelief on these. He's likely going to ignore these encapsulated sets in his Ebay history.

This is the company in question... http://www.toygrader.com/ And it's just that... a company... Some of those Ebay prices... I don't know... something doesn't seem right... either that or there are some pretty wealthy people with a lot of money to waste...