Now for a quick quiz! |
You could achieve a MECCANO era set #15 in 2 ways : - |
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Either by buying the set #15 out right… |
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…or by adding a set #14C to a set #14. |
Did you know that the 2 different options actually produced significantly different contents‽… |
…can you say what the difference was‽ |
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Set #14 contains : -
2 size 'D' Roofs.
Set #14C contains : -
1 Dormer Roof set.
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Set #15 contains : -
only 1 size 'D' Roof
plus
1 Dormer Roof set. |
Obviously set #14 would need 2 Roof pieces or you wouldn't be able to make up a full roof would you! |
This means that children who were lucky enough to be bought a set #15 would have to make their largest green roofed buildings with a Dormer Roof every time - looks to me like a piece of penny pinching by Mr. MECCANO. |
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Even stranger is the case of the missing Roof Ends : - |
Set #14 contained these Roof Ends - |
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- Set #15 didn't!!! |
Although sets #15 and #14C included the new Boarded and Waney Edge Roof Ends, neither included the original Roof Ends - part #B152, B154, B156 & B158. |
This means that children who were lucky enough to be bought a set #15 would be deprived of these 8 parts, making them 9 parts short in all - it's beginning to look more like grand larceny than penny pinching by Mr. MECCANO!!! |
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These three models [left] come from the set #14 section of the MECCANO era BAYKO manual and all of them use two size 'D' Roof pieces. Set #15 presumably requires the use of the Dormer Roof Unit - creating a bit of a "Health and Safety" risk in the case of the Heliport!!! |
page 17
Heliport |
page 19
Bungalow |
page 21
Bungalow with Verandah |
To continue with my usual pedantry, given the Roof End 'sequestration' [above] technically there were only three models from the entire proffered range of thirty one in the MECCANO era BAYKO manual which set #15 owners could replicate exactly!
The three models concerned are : -
Page 4 - The Suburban Signal Box - [near right, top].
Page 4 - The Wayside Cafe - [near right, middle].
Page 9 -
The Beach Observation Post - [far right, bottom]. |
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page 4
[Top two models] |
page 9
[Lower right model] |
MECCANO Christmas Club - Toy Club - Savings Club |
Can you really get more nerdish than this‽ |
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Plimpton, like so many other children's toys, recognised that they generated much of their BAYKO profit through repeat purchases of extras - both conversion sets and spare parts. |
MECCANO too, had recognised this opportunity, and, as was pretty common throughout the toy trade in the United Kingdom, instigated a “Toy Club” to encourage kids to squirrel away their pocket money [and all their ill-gotten gains from their family protection racket!] with their favourite toy shop in order to save up for that special something, initially usually with Christmas in mind. |
These systems were generally known as Toy Clubs, Christmas Savings Clubs, or simply Saving Clubs - retailers must have found the savings objectives of little Johnnie or Jenny useful pointers as they stocked up for Christmas, etc. |
Were people really so daft that they never thought of [the usually more convenient alternative of] opening a small Bank, Building Society or Post Office savings account - and getting interest‽ - as well as developing good financial habits! |
I owe you all an apology - sorry - I mustn't have had my brain operating in full nerd mode when I only had a couple of examples of these Christmas / Savings Club Cards, and I missed some of the nuances. Since I've now acquired a few more, I've gone back to the drawing board and restructured this entire entry, so, I apologise if I misled you previously. In my defence, if Mr. MECCANO had done the decent thing and routinely datecoded his printed offerings, then… |
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I don't normally do this, but the following different versions of the MECCANO Christmas / Toy / Savings Club Card are all exactly the same size, so I thought I'd dispose of that commonality before I nerd on about the assorted differences! The flat [thin] card size is : - |
152 mm x 114 mm = 6 x 4.5 inches |
n.b. I've used different coloured backgrounds [below] to differentiate, within this section, the different card styles / variants. |
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First of all, this scam, [see “Conditions” below if you doubt me!] by Mr. MECCANO, precedes the BAYKO takeover, as you can see from the first examples [below]. The cards were all supplied flat, but with a preformed central crease, to enable them to be folded up into a four page booklet format. The interior was essentially unchanged throughout, all the significant variations occur on the exterior, both front and back. |
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All versions [thus far] include [at the top of the rear page of the booklet] two “Conditions” : - |
“● Your choice of goods cannot be altered.” |
“● Money cannot be refunded.” |
Still think I'm being unfair to Mr MECCANO? Just supposing you wanted to switch to the very latest model instead, or your rich auntie Nellie bought you the one you'd already pre-ordered - tough! Thank goodness kids are, famously, so consistent! I suspect the Father Christmas image [right] must have been his inspiration. |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Pirate Style |
Interior
MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Pirate Style |
I believe that this Pirate-themed artwork is the earliest style for these MECCANO TOY CLUB Cards, its comparative lack of structure being one of the key indicators. This version [above] is, self evidently, Yellow, but there is also a Green version, which I will try to add in the future, even though it is BAYKO-free. |
I believe this particular style dates from the 1950s, but, in all honesty that's a guess, knowing that the [then] relatively new medium of television, with its growing influence, certainly carried programmes like Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe on its restricted number of channels - 2 then 3. |
Although the artwork would probably be regarded as 'too busy' by today's marketeers, I like it Jim lad! However, I would have to agree that the somewhat anonymous mention of “MECCANO PRODUCTS” on the 'treasure chest' lacks impact… |
…in contrast to the rectangle, labelled “Where to find the treasure”, prominently identifying toy shop details, [exterior, top right] |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Schoolboy Design |
Interior
MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Schoolboy Design |
I can't get away from the feeling that this artwork was aimed more at parents than boys - I was never that fond of my school cap!!! |
The price tag of “1/-” [5p] for 'MECCANO Magazine' mentioned in the blurb on the rear of the card, and the lack of a mention of the page size increase puts the date as being pre-1961, with the failure to reference BAYKO probably pushing that back by at least two years - the takeover was in September, 1959. |
The most interesting detail here is the script on the back of the folded card, including the following 'advert' for 'MECCANO Magazine', which reads as follows : - |
“The "Meccano Magazine" is published on the first of each month, price 1/-. It tells you how to get the utmost fun from Meccano, Hornby Clockwork trains, Hornby-Dublo Electric trains. It also illustrates and describes the latest Dinky Toys, etc.” |
The "MECCANO PRODUCTS" labelling of the piratical artwork version has now been 'exploded' into a product list, though BAYKO-free as previously mentioned. |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Pink
Two Boys Design |
Interior
MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Pink
Two Boys Design |
Hurray - BAYKO!!! |
Mr. MECCANO has had his pencil out again, with some new artwork on the front cover. [above] |
I'm afraid I can't trace the actual date of the price increase of 'MECCANO Magazine' - to “1/3” [6.25p] but recognition of it is the sole change to the blurb on the rear of the card. |
As well as BAYKO, the HORNBY SPEED BOATS relaunch, dated 1960, has been recognised on the front cover products list, though neither made the script on the rear. This seems to be a reliable pointer to this Toy Club Card's print date as being 1960. |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Pink
Two Boys Design |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Pink
Two Boys Design |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Green
Two Boys Design |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Green
Two Boys Design |
Thanks to Andrew Lance of the HORNBY Railways Collectors Association for these images. |
Here we've moved on to the “1/3” [6.25p] price point, for 'MECCANO Magazine' which took place in January, 1961, so, making the assumption that it was one colour card for each year, then these two examples presumable date from 1961 and 1962, though I've no way of determining which is which. |
While that is the only script change on the rear, the front cover has been completely revamped. Two, [tie clad!] boys now grace the cover |
The full script now reads : - |
“Increased page size - larger illustrations. Still only 1/3, published monthly. The "Meccano Magazine" tells you how to get the utmost fun from Meccano, Hornby Clockwork Trains, Hornby-Dublo Electric Trains and Bayko. It also illustrates and describes the latest Dinky Toys, etc.” |
The “Still only 1/3” is rather disingenuous given that it included a 25% price rise!!! |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Two Boys Design |
Interior
MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Yellow
Two Boys Design |
Another confusing rabbit pulled from Mr MECCANO's archivist mistreating hat! |
The order of products listed in the 'MECCANO Magazine' advert on the rear has been 'tweaked' to finally recognise the business longevity benefits of electric trains over clockwork - finally matching the order of the product list on the front cover. The existence of non-juvenile male members of the family is also finally recognised by the addition of a “general interest” phrase at the end! The full script now reads : - |
“Increased page size - larger illustrations. Still only 1/3, published monthly. The "Meccano Magazine" tells you how to get the utmost fun from Meccano, Hornby-Dublo Electric Trains, Hornby Clockwork Trains and Bayko. It also illustrates and describes the latest Dinky Toys, etc., and contains general interest features that appeal to the whole family.” |
I'm guessing that these changes point us to 1963 for this version, but I wouldn't bet your mortgage on it! |
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MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Green
Two Boys Design |
Interior
MECCANO TOY CLUB Card - Green
Two Boys Design |
This 'last' MECCANO Toy Club Card is the most problematic in terms of coming to any logical conclusion as to where it fits in the chronology. Let me explain. |
► On the rear is the identical 'MECCANO Magazine' script to the cards I've dated as being from 1961 and 1962, including BAYKO. |
► The “general interest” script does not appear. |
► The front cover only mentions “DINKY TOYS” and “DINKY SUPER TOYS” ‽‽‽ |
It could be as simple as a decision to have a DINKY ONLY Toy Club Card - but why‽‽‽ |
If you can see beyond the limits of my little brain and explain / help date this card, then I'd love to hear from you… |
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I feel a bit self conscious doing so, but [perhaps] I can now answer the my earlier question [above, at the top of this entry]… |
…yes, I can get more nerdish… |
…so, buckle up, here goes!!! |
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This typed, stencil-copied document [left] was used by MECCANO sales reps to help their retailers keep their support stationery stock up to date. |
There are two references to the above “Toy Club” card : - |
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Reference #92011 - “Not overprinted” - of which retailers could have up to 100 “Free of Charge”. Experience tells me that frugal approach usually won out! |
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Reference #92001 - “Overprinted” - with their business name and address - of which retailers could have a minimum of 100 “for 5/6” [27½ pence] or “1/6 for each additional 100” [7½ pence]. |
For completeness, there is also a reference [#92020] to a “Bayko Folder”, that I can't specifically identify, but which cost 2/6 [12½ pence] per 100 and which the retailer was supposed to charge -/1 for!!! The only candidate document that I can think of, which could possibly fit the bill, is the standard 'folded' MECCANO BAYKO flier of the period, but I'm far from convinced… |
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Slide your mouse over the image to highlight both entries. |
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204 mm x 254 mm = 8 x 10 inches |
Where's the BAYKO Factory Gone? |
Sets #0 to #3 Manual - April, 1954
Address -
Liverpool 3 |
Set #4 Manual - August, 1954
Address -
Liverpool 1 |
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Set #3X Manual - September, 1954
Address -
Liverpool 3 |
Sets #0 to #3 Manual - January, 1955
Address -
Liverpool 1 |
Presumably the management and employees of Plimpton, in 1954, did know where they worked, and how to get there, but they might have been excused if they got a little confused - and goodness knows how Postman Pat coped!!! |
If you look [above] at the four consecutive manuals, [in terms of the specified date code], you'll see that the address for the company
oscillated over the period - from Liverpool 3 to Liverpool 1, then back to Liverpool 3, then finally to Liverpool 1 again. |
Firstly, there's no question that Plimpton moved premises during 1954, from 15, Gibraltar Row, Liverpool 3 to Tabley Street, Liverpool 1. |
There are three possibilities as to where the above confusion comes from : - |
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The date code(s) of the sets #0 to #4 manual and/or the set #3X manual are wrong. |
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The order for either the set #3X manual, or the sets #0 to #4 manual, was actually placed well ahead of the other manual, before the final date for the move was confirmed. |
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The address quoted on either the set #3X manual or the sets #0 to #4 manual is simply wrong. |
My money is on the latter explanation, with the set #3X manual as prime suspect. The other three manuals have the address printed, up front, actually on the front cover, but, on the set #3X manual, the address is much lower key - much more easily overlooked in other words - in relatively small print, on the back cover. I suspect that the necessary amendment to the previous issue was missed - the printers were probably never even told. |
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O-O Gauge Model Railways and BAYKO |
Well, I think I've out-nerded myself this time! |
Most people think BAYKO is in scale with O Gauge model railways - that's certainly the knee-jerk response. |
This is partly based on its production dates, and partly on the models [signal boxes, etc.] in the BAYKO manuals, which were O Gauge. |
When it comes to BAYKO models of standard domestic buildings, this is certainly true… |
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…however, I would like to suggest that, things like railway stations and other public buildings, with their often grandiose, 'over scale' designs, are more effectively tied in with O-O Gauge. |
Model railways are big - a statement of the obvious - and, for exhibition purposes, are usually built with a modular design. |
This is where a, to me, remarkable fluke kicks in, with a very beneficial effect for the layman model railway builder. Five BAYKO Bases, end to end, or seven, side by side [35 bricks] is exactly ⅔
metre. So what… |
…well, PECO Setrack, a must for the amateur railway modeller like me, builds its track in multiples of ⅙ metre lengths [167 mm]. |
This means that ⅔
metre [2' 2¼" - 4 track units] or 1⅓ metre [4' 4½" - 8 track units] modules can easily be built, with the track fitting perfectly - well to within 0.0125% anyway!!! |
The images [left] show some of my modular, O-O Gauge layout, built entirely from standard BAYKO parts, which is extendable to over seventy feet - more than a scale mile!!! |
The primary weakness of BAYKO displays at exhibitions is that they are static - this O-O Gauge layout helps change that. |
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Thanks to Andy Harris for supplying these photographs. |