in addition : Wells Brimtoy Pocketoy Series

In response for more information on Brimtoy ‘Pocketoys’, with particular emphasis on the picture element, I have included this short post. So as not to repeat myself and become even more boring this post should be read along side my earlier Wells-Brimtoy one which included a ‘Pocketoy’ section.

Pocketoys were launched in 1952 and whilst the majority of the series was based around the Bedford trucks a variety of other vehicles were included.

Along side the Bedfords came what most people instantly recognise as one of the ‘Pocketoy’ series and that is one of the many double decker buses the majority of which were based on the good old London red Routemaster.

But the series did include a raft of other road vehicles including bulldozers, coaches, caravans etc. but as its the Bedford trucks which were the dominant factor its those that we see most often at fairs and for sale on the internet.

Pocketoys, as the name suggests, were made to a size which in theory would fit into your pocket (not rocket science !) and the majority were around 3.5″ in length (89mm) although some, like the articulated lorries, were much longer.

But Pocketoys were not only made to fit the pocket in terms of size they also fitted the pocket in terms of price. With prices starting from around the 2/6d mark (12.5p in todays dosh) they were relatively affordable by most, indeed I can remember many times as a young lad debating long and hard whether to blow my whole weeks pocket money on a Pocketoy or save half and spend the rest on sweets and pop !

The vehicles themselves regardless of size were either friction or clockwork driven and either of tinplate or a mixture of tinplate and plastic in construction. The model came in a simple card box with end/tuck-in flaps usually with a coloured line drawn illustration to the outer. Included would be a colour brochure detailing the models available in the series.

As for the number of  different models which made up the Pocketoy series ? well to be honest quite frankly I haven’t a clue. I believe in 1955 there were some 57 models featured in the Pocketoy sales brochure but when the later models were issued we are looking at models numbered 500+. Just whether that model number in fact relates to how many different models there were, somehow I doubt it very much, but I don’t have the catalogues to make a valued judgement.

Despite not knowing exactly how many models were available in the series it must be quite extensive for if we take for instance the removal van which Les had bought (see comments) you can see that there were three variants that I am aware of and thats just from the earlier issues !

So if anyone out there has any Pocketoy brochures or can shed any further light on this matter please get in touch I’ll be happy to hear from you and to Les and the others I hope this extra info/pics is useful.