Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)

Time to resurrect this old post, now that it is December. Enjoy!

Christmas is coming, time for something both holiday-themed and diecast-themed. Travel back to the era before the interwebz, when people bought things from catalogs.

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First, FAO Schwarz, Christmas 1958:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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Pressed steel, I know some like it
Pressed steel, I know some like it
Schuco
Schuco
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Tootsietoy, Japanese tin, cringe-worthy bank showing 1958 was still before the modern era
Tootsietoy, Japanese tin, cringe-worthy bank showing 1958 was still before the modern era
Dinky, Matchbox - these are the prizes for me
Dinky, Matchbox - these are the prizes for me
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The gift set at right, PS1-6, aka the Bronner Presentation Sets. These are stupendously rare, and mint in mint box might fetch 5K apiece. I believe all 6 examples have not even been found and may not exist today. Not a bad ROI.
The gift set at right, PS1-6, aka the Bronner Presentation Sets. These are stupendously rare, and mint in mint box might fetch 5K apiece. I believe all 6 examples have not even been found and may not exist today. Not a bad ROI.

Now we jump ahead, Montgomery Ward, 1971:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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The race cars appear to be some kind of clone of HW Sizzlers
The race cars appear to be some kind of clone of HW Sizzlers
Tootsies
Tootsies
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JL was still active then
JL was still active then
SSP and oddballs
SSP and oddballs
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Zoomer Boomer, never heard of it until I saw this catalog
Zoomer Boomer, never heard of it until I saw this catalog
And what everyone wants, redline HWs
And what everyone wants, redline HWs
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Now on to Montgomery Ward, 1972:

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More SSP and Tootsietoy
More SSP and Tootsietoy
Early Superfast Matchbox, and the “My Town” appears to be the basis for Pocket Cars playsets
Early Superfast Matchbox, and the “My Town” appears to be the basis for Pocket Cars playsets
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Assorted vehicles
Assorted vehicles
Sizzlers
Sizzlers
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Now deep into the heart of disco, Montgomery Ward 1976, not much diecast content:

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Evel Knievel is amusing
Evel Knievel is amusing
The 70s in diecast form
The 70s in diecast form
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Now we jump into the 80s. Sears 1982:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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Them Duke Boys
Them Duke Boys
Roadmates and Penny Racers, blast from the past
Roadmates and Penny Racers, blast from the past
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Darda, HW sets
Darda, HW sets
Roadmates, late run Lesney Matchbox
Roadmates, late run Lesney Matchbox
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Roadmates
Roadmates
Roadmates, more Pocket Cars style small sets
Roadmates, more Pocket Cars style small sets
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Sears sold the hell out of Roadmates
Sears sold the hell out of Roadmates
Roadmates that look like Stompers, and Stompers
Roadmates that look like Stompers, and Stompers
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JC Penney 1982:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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Various odd brands and not so odd brands
Various odd brands and not so odd brands
Matchbox was popular
Matchbox was popular
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You name it, they have it
You name it, they have it
HWs, some fun castings
HWs, some fun castings
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I had one of these
I had one of these

Montgomery Ward 1982:

Smurfs were a thing then
Smurfs were a thing then
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ERTL had a big range, I like the Smokey and the Bandit set
ERTL had a big range, I like the Smokey and the Bandit set
Stompers! Smokey set there too
Stompers! Smokey set there too
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HW sets
HW sets
Various
Various
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Various, I see Matchbox and ERTL
Various, I see Matchbox and ERTL

Ahead another year, JC Penney 1983:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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I had the Knight Rider set and the Air Jammer VW
I had the Knight Rider set and the Air Jammer VW
Stompers
Stompers
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Various sets
Various sets
HWs and others
HWs and others
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Matchbox and others
Matchbox and others
ERTL and others
ERTL and others
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And we’ll end our time travel tour with Montgomery Ward 1984:

Illustration for article titled Vintage Diecast In Old Christmas Catalogs (pic heavy)
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Cool RC rigs
Cool RC rigs
More fun electronic stuff
More fun electronic stuff
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HWs and others. I have a vague memory of the “K” car shooter device
HWs and others. I have a vague memory of the “K” car shooter device
HW sets
HW sets
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That is all.