BAYKO Adverts in 'British Toys'

The 'British Toys', black and white magazine began life in October, 1954. This first edition was an undistinguished affair except for the innovation of being tri-lingual, adding French and Spanish to the usual 'journalese'.

The early editions were in the cheapest newsprint imaginable, but, presumably in line with sales, the quality rose and 'British Toys' was soon in the glossy magazine format expected of such a publication.

BAYKO graced the pages of the second issue with a brief mention…

BAYKO was then featured as part of a short series on “Constructional Systems”…

All the images here are courtesy of copies made by the Newspaper Section of the British Library - and cost a small fortune!

The images were provided either as paper photo copies for the black and white adverts [which have then been re-scanned] or as digital colour photos for the first example of each colour advert taken in situ from a bound copy of that year's issues.

One or two of the images below are slightly skewed, this is because of the quality of the initial image.

Never-the-less, I think the evolution of BAYKO's contact with its retailers is of interest and I hope you enjoy them.

Again the artwork is familiar elsewhere,
indeed, it is rapidly becoming familiar here,
but again the script varies, at least a little.

Plimpton were obviously pleased with the effectiveness of advertising in 'British Toys' because they increased the number of ads over 1957.

The end of an era!
Although it's a couple of months after the MECCANO takeover, the November advert still carries Plimpton's name and address.