Lamley Contest: Guess the two exclusive Matchbox models for the upcoming Gathering Convention, and we will send you a Gathering exclusive Routemaster Bus...

We are less than four months away from the 11th Annual Matchbox Collectors International Gathering of Friends in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It is undoubtedly the premiere Matchbox event each year, and I am looking forward to attending for the seventh time.  We hope many of you can come as well.  Details and the registration form can be found here.

Every July, Matchbox collectors from around the world gather in New Mexico to chat, trade, buy, eat, reminisce, and sell.  Collecting legend Jim Gallegos hosts the event, and it is the only Matchbox event that Mattel officially attends.  The Matchbox Design and Marketing teams use the event to reveal the new models for the next year, give details on the brand strategy, and name a new collector Ambassador.  And it is also the place get the designer's ear.  Many a detail and tasty tidbit is shared (if you ask the right questions, of course).

Another part of the Gathering that gets collectors out in droves is the Mattel-produced exclusives.  These are always the most detailed models Matchbox will produce each year, and they are highly collectible.  Some of the previous models:

Last year's Routemaster Bus has been especially popular with collectors, and we want to give one away to one of our Lamley friends.  So why not do a little contest?

It is very simple.  Send us an email at lamleygroup@gmail.com and give us your guess for what two Matchbox castings will be the exclusives this year.  The first person to guess both exactly will win a green Routemaster Bus from last year's event.  

The winner will be announced at the Gathering itself, and don't worry, you don't have to be in attendance to win.  Jim will announce the winner, and we will then put the bus in a box and mail it to that person, wherever in the world he or she might live.  Only one guess per person, and any guesses that include more than two models will be discarded.

It is that simple.  Be the first to guess both models, and you win.  Do you want a hint on what they are?  Ok, both castings were produced between the years 2005 and 2014, and both are licensed models.

Good luck!!

Lamley News: Is Walmart ditching Matchbox??

The buzz has begun, as collectors all over the US are reporting seeing this on the pegs at Walmart:

And this:

And this:

Even the 5-packs have been marked down.

So what is going on?  There is a lot of speculation, and we know nothing.  Some say this is the end of Matchbox at Walmart, as they are clearancing off all the Matchbox, to make space for some other brand, maybe even creating more real estate for Hot Wheels.

Others suggest it is not time to panic, as this may be a way to clear out current stock to make room for new Matchbox stock with new UPC numbers.

We have no idea, but this is a little concerning.  We just hope we are suffering from a case of premature panicization.  What we do know:

• While we have seen different Matchbox items put on clearance in the past, this is the first time we have seen basics on clearance.
• This is the exact time of year that Walmart does its toy department reset.  The timing of this could mean Matchbox is out.  It could also be what some have said, just making room for new stock.

Taking Matchbox completely out of Walmart does not make a ton of sense, and it seems that Mattel has quite a bit more leverage than other toymakers.  But we mustn't forget that Walmart rules all.

We really hope this is just a product reset for Matchbox, but we will have to wait and see.  If this is in fact Matchbox's end at Walmart, at least for the time being, this could mean some major changes for the orange brand.  It is too valuable a brand for Mattel to give up, but could we see it separated even more from Hot Wheels?  Or a return to more realism?  One way or the other, this could mean a VERY interesting Matchbox Gathering Convention in July, when the Matchbox marketing and design teams present the direction for 2015.

Stay tuned...

Matchbox Monday: Results of the 2013 Matchbox Gathering Charity Auction and photos of the Mattel-donated Prepros...

As was the case last year, we have been asked by Matchbox Gathering organizer Jim Gallegos to post the results of the Charity Auction held at the Gathering to benefit Rachel's Courtyard in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  As is good practice, Jim wants to make sure all is transparent and all is accounted for, and publishing the results on a public site is part of that.

But we don't want to make it a total bore for our readers.  You can undoubtedly see what items brought the most interest, and gawk at some of the surprising prices paid, including one by yours truly.

But we thought we would post the photos I took of the Mattel-donated preproduction models.  A little later today we will be posting the prepros in the Lamley collection, and will explain the appeal these have to many collectors, but in the meantime, enjoy the results and the photos.  Many of these are quite cool...

The results:




01.  Tomica Long London Bus "Barnes Pianos" - $20

02.  Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-r Signed by "Mary" Star from Japanese Commercial from 1970 - $15

03.  Blizzard Buster E/P, unspun metallic black body, non polished window, tan treads, chassis has no engraving - $35

04.  Model of Yesteryear Y-31-1 Morris Courrier. (Special 10/10 model for attendees who have attended all 10 Conventions) 1 of 36 overall Code 2 models made for the Leipzig Convention. made - $35

05.  Battle Kings Armored Personnel Carrier F/S Plated body, pink gun, white chassis without engraving china casting - $50

06.  K-29 Ford Van "Mr. Softy" Mint Moxed - $15

07.  56 Buick Century Police car E/P white body, VUM base no engraving - $130

08.  Hot Wheels "Sunburnerz" full set of 5 - $15

09.  Matchbox 'Regular Wheel #4 Triumph Motorcycle "Smooth Tread" - $50

10.  Austin Mini Van 1965 F/S, raw zamak, black base, non polished window, gray interior - $160

11.  Matchbox Austin Mini Cooper, "Mattel Nurnberg 2008" Code 2 model made for the Nurnberg International Toy Fair.  Less than 50 made in Dark Green - $40

12.  Isuzu Amigo Retool E/P non production blue body, brown interior, VUM base no front grill or chassis engraving - $170

13.  Matchbox, My Classic Car and Show Case Assortment (5pieces) - $10

14.  Matchbox Shand Mason "Gold Plated": 1 of 3 in existence produced by Matchbox USA - $180

15.  Special 1 of 4 Cadillac Print by Mattel Designer Michael Heralda - $500

16.  Matchbox Premier Conoy "Mayflower" - $10

17.  Gold Matchbox toy fair London bus in clear case - $120

18.  Matchbox Taco Bell 4 Piece Set - $10

19.  Ford Explorer (police) 2012 E/P unspun non production white body, tan interior, blue window, no engraving on chassis - $90

20.  White Rose "Coors Light Race Car in case" #4452 of 5000` - $20

21.  Blaze Blitzer 2013 E/P unspun, non production metallic green body, VUM chassis, tan interior - $120

22.  Matchbox Regular Wheel #46B 'Beales Bealesons' Removal Van - $200

23.  Matchbox Regular Wheel #67 Saladin Armoured Car - $15

24.  Matchbox Cadillac Sedan de Ville "MCCD at MICA" Code 2 Made by the German Matchbox Collectors Club Deutshland MCCD. Distributed to attendees in 2010 - $15

25.  Real Working Rigs Freightliner Vacuum Truck : E/P, non production tan parts, VUM and blue body details, non production red base - $180

25A.  Land Rover SVX E/P unspun plated body, black interior, gray base non production lettered tires - $40

26.  Matchbox 1994 Christmas Treasures Morris Ornaments. 4 piece set. - $10

26A.  Real Working Rigs : Tactical Police Truck E/P , non production pearl white body, tan base, VUM chassis, green wheels - $60

27.  Matchbox y-22 Ford Model A Van "Matchbox and Lesney Toy Museum" #0064 of #2000 - $10

27A.  Seagrave fire Engine E/P non production orange body, VUM chassis, no engraving - $250

28.  All Terrain Crane 2013 E/P unspun with non production green body, VUM base, tan interior and red boom - $40

29.  Color Comp Matchbox Cadillac Ambulance "San Luis Obispo Fire Chief") 1 of 3 made in Orange - $50

30.  Renault Ambulance 2013 E/P, non production tan body, white chassis - $80

31.  Matchbox Promos, 3 pieces (Ford Lightning "Astros"), Chevy Suburban "Mastercard"), (Ford Transit "Dunton Engineering") - $15

32.  Flame  Smasher 2013 E/P non production tan body, black base, non production wheels, non engraving on base - $50

33.  Matchbox Regular Wheel #46B Pickford Van- rear bumper - $40

33A.  MCI Bus with 2000 Disney parks graphics, white body - $20

34.  German  1000PS Set - $80

35.  Urban Tow truck E/P unspun, metallic red, non production VUM base, tan interior

36.   White Rose "Coors Light Race Car in case" #2306 of 6750` - $5

36A. Gold Matchbox toy fair London bus in clear case - $110

37. Color Comp Matchbox Seagrave Fire Engine "San Luis Obispo Fire") 1 of 55 made - $20

38.  Ground Breaker E/P unpainted body, non production VUM base, purple shovel, no engraving on base - $40

38A.  DAF XF 95 Truck cab F/S non painted body, white base with no engraving , with convoy wheels - $60

39.  Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-r Signed by "Mary" Star from Japanese Commercial from 1970 - $10

40.  Convoys : White Ford Aeromax cab & box trailer with Pepsi graphics - $5

40A.  Real Working Rigs Colet K/30E Jaguar: E/P , with non production VUM window, no body graphics, Non production blue body and VUM base - $130

41.  Hot Wheels set of 4 Movie Cars, Ferris, Back to the Future, Beverly Hills Cop, Rockford Files - $10

42.  Deluxe Convoys Rig with Yellow MAC cab and VUM tanker trailer will Shell oil graphics. Has deluxe 2pc wheels - $5

43.  Hot Wheels Boulevard set of 5 vehicles.  Bronco, Corvette Porsche - $30

44.  Matchbox Color Comp set- 10 models from Matchbox USA events - $30

45.  Matchbox Pre Pro "Morphed Viper" - $340

46.  4X4 Fire truck E/P, non production pink chassis and interior, metallic green body, non polished window, no chassis engraving - $40

47.  Ford Transit E/P, non production flat blue body, non engraved black base, tan interior & unpolished window - $40

48.   Matchbox Pre Pro "Stealth" - $340

49. Real Working Rigs : Farm Sprayer E/P with non production yellow body, black sprayer arms - $60

50.   Matchbox K-49 Ambulance "Malteser Hilfdienst" - $40

51. Tomica Long London Bus "DFPS Seaways" - $30

52. Matchbox Superfast #57 "Land Rover Fire Truck" - $60

53. Color Comp Matchbox Cadillac Ambulance "San Luis Obispo Fire Chief") 1 of 15 made in Red - $25

54.  Motoyama "Penzoil" Nissan GTR Racer, very detailed. - $15

55.  Gold Matchbox toy fair London bus in clear case - $130

56.  Convoys: Dark Blue Kenworth Cab & Box trailer with Matchbox Action System graphics - $5

57.  City Bus E/P non production Red body, tan interior, unpolished window, black chassis with no engraving - $60

58.  Land Rover Defender 110 retool E/P , non production Dark blue body, unpolished window , black interior - $170

59.  Gold Matchbox toy fair London bus in clear case - $100

60.  MCI Bus with JAWS graphics & blue and white body with deluxe 2pc wheels - $20

61.  Audi RS6 Avant F/S, unspun , unpainted body, non production tan interior and black base - $90

62.  Real Working Rigs Freightliner Vacuum Truck : E/P, non production tan parts, VUM and blue body details, non production red base - $70

63.  Pre Pro Matchbox Volvo P1800S, Model from 2010 Gathering - $60

64.  Husky 1571 Pedestrian Figures (1967-69) Mint on card - $25

65.  Lone Star 11 Cran Turismo Coupe "Corvette", 1960's C9+ in Mini Mite Box - $45

66.  Lone Star 402 Mini Garage 1960's C9+ Impy Accessory Box - $60

67. Benbros 13 Austin Champ 1950's, C9.5 in Box w/ 1 flap missing - $15

68.  Matchbox Pre Pro Mercedes SLR McLaren From 2009 Gathering - $260

69.  Matchbox USA Model of the month Feb 2013 Clown Car in silver - $15

70. Super Sar Transport Beatrice Color Comp - $10

71.  BMW 1M 201 Assembled Non production Yellow body - $300

72. Event Poster "Porsche" - $40

73.  Event Poster "Construction" - $50

74.  Event Poster "Fire Chief" - $70

75.  Event Poster "Ford Truck" - $40

76.  Event Poster "Fire Truck" - $60

And the photos.  What prepro is your favorite?

03.  Blizzard Buster E/P, unspun metallic black body, non polished window, tan treads, chassis has no engraving - $35

05.  Battle Kings Armored Personnel Carrier F/S Plated body, pink gun, white chassis without engraving china casting - $50

07.  56 Buick Century Police car E/P white body, VUM base no engraving - $130

10.  Austin Mini Van 1965 F/S, raw zamak, black base, non polished window, gray interior - $160

12.  Isuzu Amigo Retool E/P non production blue body, brown interior, VUM base no front grill or chassis engraving - $170

19.  Ford Explorer (police) 2012 E/P unspun non production white body, tan interior, blue window, no engraving on chassis - $90

21.  Blaze Blitzer 2013 E/P unspun, non production metallic green body, VUM chassis, tan interior - $120

25A.  Land Rover SVX E/P unspun plated body, black interior, gray base non production lettered tires - $40

27A.  Seagrave fire Engine E/P non production orange body, VUM chassis, no engraving - $250

28.  All Terrain Crane 2013 E/P unspun with non production green body, VUM base, tan interior and red boom - $40

30.  Renault Ambulance 2013 E/P, non production tan body, white chassis - $80

32.  Flame Smasher 2013 E/P non production tan body, black base, non production wheels, non engraving on base - $50

35.  Urban Tow truck E/P unspun, metallic red, non production VUM base, tan interior

38.  Ground Breaker E/P unpainted body, non production VUM base, purple shovel, no engraving on base - $40

38A.  DAF XF 95 Truck cab F/S non painted body, white base with no engraving , with convoy wheels - $60

46.  4X4 Fire truck E/P, non production pink chassis and interior, metallic green body, non polished window, no chassis engraving - $40

47.  Ford Transit E/P, non production flat blue body, non engraved black base, tan interior & unpolished window - $40

57.  City Bus E/P non production Red body, tan interior, unpolished window, black chassis with no engraving - $60

58.  Land Rover Defender 110 retool E/P , non production Dark blue body, unpolished window , black interior - $170

61.  Audi RS6 Avant F/S, unspun , unpainted body, non production tan interior and black base - $90

71.  BMW 1M 201 Assembled Non production Yellow body - $300