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1-75 Regular Wheel Boxtypes

Here you find a list of Boxtypen used in my listings for the 1-75 Regular Wheel Series as well as the Major Pack- and Accessory Series.

I use the same basic types for the boxes for all "Matchbox" series' made in the Lesney era, therefore a "D" box for example ( the first style showing the model in full colour on a yellow background without a background scene ) is designated as "D" in the 1-75, Major Pack, King Size or even Yesteryear range. These types are also used for all other box artwork like Giftsets.

I always found it unnecessary to use different boxtypes for the various Matchbox lines produced by Lesney as the company developed the box artwork uniformly for all their products. Therefore a "A" box can only be found in the 1-75 series as all other ranges were started after the later boxtypes were introduced already.

 All early boxes are printed in (dark) blue, yellow, black and red only. One underside was printed in full in yellow, red and blue creating an "striker" colour as found an genuine Matchbox boxes.


Boxtyp "A" 1953 - 54

Boxtyp "A" 1953 - 54

The first ever "Matchbox" series box, the "A" box. Only produced in 1953 - 54 and so only the first seven models can be found in a "A" box since all newmodels from no 8 onwards have been issued in "B" boxes only. The unique thing on the "A" box is the "Moko" logo which is shown in script, just like the original company logo used by "Moses Kohnstamm - Moko", the company which organised the trade & distribution for Lesney in their early years.

Boxtyp "B" 1954 - 61

Boxtyp "B" 1954 - 61

In 1954 the "MOKO" logo on the front was changed from script to block capitals to match the rest of the "A MOKO Lesney" banner underneath the models picture. This is now called the "B" box which has five subtypes, all are differ by the different printing to the side flaps only wich was increased over the years.

Please note: several models exist with "B" boxes showing different illustrations of the same model ( larger size, different angle, with or without lettering showing the models livery...), these are not considered box subtypes.

Boxtyp "C" 1961 - 62

Boxtyp "C" 1961 - 62

In 1960 Lesney ended the co-operation with Moses Kohnstamm and consequently the "Moko" logo was removed from all packaging. The "C" box is identical to the earlier "B5" box with the one difference that now "A LESNEY" only is written under the model illustration.

Because of the rather short usage period of that boxtype not all numbers are exist with an "C" box. For the numbers 41, 47, 59, 66, 70, 71 and 73 there is no "C" box!

Boxtyp "D" 1962 - 66

Boxtyp "D" 1962 - 66

1962 saw an complete re-design of the box artwork, the model was now shown in full colour with "Matchbox series" in an arc above the picture. The first model to be issued with an "D" box was the No.2C Muir Hill Dumper therefore we know that these boxes were introduced in may 1962.

With some model these boxes were used long into the "E" box era, some well untill into 1966.

Boxtyp "E" 1964 - 69

Boxtyp "E" 1964 - 69

1964 saw the first new "E" style box with the introduction of the No. 28C Jaguar Mk.10. The main difference ist that now just "Matchbox" is printed in a full arc above the model picture and "Series" much smaller underneath it. There are many small minor subtypes for the "E" boxes but i will just use these three main types which differ from other catalogs:

E1: no model picture on the side flaps

E2: now with colour model picture to side flaps but still without "Matchbox" above it

E3: now with colour picture and "Matchbox" on the side flaps

Boxtyp "F" 1969 - 70

Boxtyp "F" 1969 - 70

The last box used for the original 1-75 series, the "F" box introduced in 1969. The most prominent change is the blue recktangle in the upper right corner showing the model's number.