Matchbox Boxes

Various Box Types for the YesterYear Range

	A box	B box	C box	D1 box	D2 box	D3 box	E box	E1 box	F box	G box	Hg box	Hw box
Y1	1(h)	1	1	1	2(e)	2(e)	2	2	2	2	2 (3)	2conf. 3
Y2	1(h)	1	1	1 2(d),2	2	2	2	2	2 3	X	3	3
Y3	1(h)	1	1	1(a),1	1	X	2(e) 2(i)conf.	2(e)	2	2	3	3
Y4	1	1	2(e)	2	2	2	3(e)	3(e)	3	3	3 (4)	(3) 4
Y5	1	(1)	1	1 2(e)	2	2	2	2	2 3	3	3 (4A) (4C)	3 4A 4C
Y6	1	(1)	2(e)	2	2	2(b),2	2 (3)	(2) 3(e)	3	3	3 (4)	3 4
Y7	1	(1)	2(e)	2	2	2	2 (3)	(2) 3(e)	3	3	3	3
Y8	1	1	1	2(d),2	2	2	2	2, 2(k)	2 3	3	3 (4)	3 4
Y9	1	1(f)	1	1	1	1	(2)	2(e)	2(c),2	2	2	2
Y10	X	1	1	1 2(e)	2	2	2	2	2 3	3	3	3
Y11	X	1	1	1 2(d),2	2	2	2	2	2	3	3(g),3	3
Y12	X	1	1	1	1	1	2(e)	(2)	2	2	2	2
Y13	X	1	1	1	1	X	2(e) 2(i)conf.	2(e)	2	2	3A	3A
Y14	X	1	1	1	X	2(e)	2	2	2	2	3(g),3	3
Y15	X	X	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2
Y16	X	X	X	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2
Y17	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	1	1

The boxes are as described previously. The numbers represent 1, 2, 3,and 4th. series models. It shows the range such as it would not be any good looking for say a Y6-2 Bugatti in a A or B box as it doesn't exist in those boxes. Unless you know better!

X = This combination is believed to not exist

( ) = This indicates that confirmation of existence is required.

(a) = Different drawings on same type box. Side view or Angled view.

(b) = Different illustrations. Blue model or red model. Y6 only

(c) = Different illustrations. Green model or red/gold model. Y9 only

(d) = Different end flaps. 'New Model' or no 'New Model' in that order.

(e) = 'New Model' on end flaps. Existence without not confirmed.

(f) = Different drawing from earlier box. Confirmation req. if both drawings exist in same type box.

(g) = Different box heights: 2 3/8 in. or 2 1/8 in

(h) = Exists as thin or thick script

(i) = Y3 Benz and Y13 model found in E box with the Matchbox logo on end flaps

(k) = Different description - can be 2 line or 3 line on end flaps and same for front but 2 lines. ( Y8 Sunbeam Motorcycle or Y8 Sunbeam motorcycle and Milford Sidecar )

conf.= This version has now been confirmed by myself. I would appreciate any more that you have to list that need confirmation.

N.B. 'New Model' only on boxes C to E1 for 2nd. & 3rd. series only

Many thanks to David Boulton. For his work and information on the various box types and this chart. Published in MICA magazines

Some boxes that are on the box chart but had still not been confirmed on the chart as existing. See the 'Box Sets' page for more information on rare boxes.

E Type box for Y3 Benz with 'Matchbox' on end - confirmed

E Type box for Y13 Daimler with 'Matchbox' on end - confirmed

Hw Type box for Y1 Ford - Confirmed

(The Hw box for the Y1 Jaguar SS 100 can have the rear picture with either no text or a model description below the model)

THE VARIOUS BOX TYPES

THE CARD TYPE BOX

(click on picture to enlarge, use back button to return)

The Original 'NORVIC' Matchbox which was the inspiration.

The first models were packaged in small matchbox type boxes and in most cases the model was scaled down to fit the box. Collecting the various box types produced for the Yesteryear range is interesting indeed. Many different boxes have been produced and trying to collect one of each in the various ranges can be very satisfying. Some are difficult to source while others are not so. This page contains the type designated Card Box Type and all contained a description of the model on the rear face.

A Type

The first box issued is known as Type A, and was only issued for Y numbers 1 to 9 only. It has a black model number on the blue background of the end flap. It was very difficult to see the number clearly so perhaps this was why it was changed. The front is a line drawing of the model. There are thick & thin scripts for the box ends on certain models in this range

B Type

Next in the range came the Type B, and is basically the same as Type A, but with the number changed to blue in a white circle. Numbers 1 to 14 appeared in this box although numbers Y5, 6 and 7 have yet to be confirmed.

C Type

The third box is the Type C and the end number has changed to red in a white circle. but still has the line drawing of the preceding two types. Numbers Y1 to 15 came in this range. Some boxes had 'New Model' printed on the end flaps.

D1 Type

This next range, the D1 Type, went to a completely different format. The model was now shown in color with a plain yellow background. The banner changed to 'Models of Yesteryear' in a bolder script. A very plain box front. The script on the end of the box now describes the model instead of just a number.

D2 Type

This next range the D2, is considered one of the hardest to acquire. The background has now become a picture of a scene and the model is superimposed on to it. The end flaps are still plain blue, but the writing is white again. The model designated Y14 has not been seen in this box.

D3 Type

Next came the D3 Type. On this box the banner has changed to MATCHBOX and the end flaps are still blue with white script. Models Y3 and Y13 have not been seen in this box. The background picture is still basically the same as previous.

E Type

E Type is the next and the box has now included a picture of the model on the end flaps. Models designated Y3 and Y13 are reputed to have no 'MATCHBOX' logo above this end picture, but I have found Y3 and Y13 with and without it ( see Models/Y3-2). The front is still the same pictorial scene.

E1 Type

Following is the E1 Type, the same as the E type but with a ® symbol after 'MATCHBOX' banner. Models Y3 and Y13 have now had the end flap amended and the 'Matchbox' logo added above the picture model. On the Y8 Sunbeam the end description can be 2 or 3 lines - front text can also be different with addition of '&Milford Sidecar'

THE WINDOW TYPE BOX

On this page we commence with the window boxes which enabled customers for the first time to see the model they were buying without having to remove it from the box.

F Type The first was the type known as Pink & Yellow and designated Type F, due to the color on the front. The box contained an inner portion in a light blue color and the rear of the box showed a pictorial picture of the model as well as a description. There are several variants to these boxes (see the Box Sets page for more detail)

G Type This reverted to the type known as Purple & Yellow and designated Type G for the same reason as before. But apart from the color change, nothing else did. The model designated Y2 did not appear in this range, but covered the rest up to Y16.

H Type After the problems at Lesney which saw the end of the Yesteryear models being produced for a few years, a new box was designed for their reintroduction in 1974. This was termed the Woodgrain style and was designated Type H. There are 2 variations on this box concerning the Y number on the top of the box. It can be in either Gold (Hg) or White (Hw) whilst the rest of the text for the model description is in white for both examples.

I Type The next was a departure from the previous in that it was very plain and is called the Straw Box, designated Type I. It was more graphical in design than previous and showed a picture and description on the rear. Again there are various sub types within this range. On the end flap the Y number and model name were smaller on the first issues and underneath the small panel and then became larger and the Y number was included within the small panel with the model name underneath still.

J Type Next was the Maroon box which was divided into 3 main sub-groups. J was Made in England, J1 was made in Macau and J2 was made in China. There are other variations on this box such as that designated Box L which was a gift set of 3 box. These were the main boxes. There are several more after this but for more information please see the Yesteryear book or contact myself for information.

THE BOX SETS

These are completed sets of all known boxes that I have acquired so far in the Yesteryear Range.

I would appreciate if you let me know of any that I have not included on the chart

For some collectors, the acquisition of the boxes is as much a challenge as the collecting of the models themselves. There are some superb period graphics especially on the middle box ranges. As far as difficulty goes, most collectors agree that the Y2-1 'B' Type Bus in the D1 box is one of the hardest to acquire but I would apply this to the Y3-1 Tram with the side on view and full roof in the D1 as well.


The A Box	The B Box	The C Box	The D1 Box
There are only the first 9 models in this range, the start of Yesteryears	The range now increases to 11 boxes but 14 models are in the range. Numbers 5,6 and 7 are missing from this range.	There were 15 boxes in this group and 15 models in the range. We still have not got to the number 16	The range of models finally makes it to 16 but the range of box variants increases to 24, the biggest range of boxes. One of the hardest boxes to find, Y2 is in this range


The D2 Box	The D3 Box	The E Box	The E1 Box
There are only 15 boxes in this range. Number Y14 does not exist. This is reputed to be the hardest set to collect but I'm not so sure as some D1 types are fairly rare	Still 16 models in the range but Y3 and Y13 are missing, so only 14 boxes to collect	Still the 16 model range and a swap to the 2nd. series makes the boxes 16 but no Y9 appears at all. The Y3 and Y13 can have the 'Matchbox' logo on the end flaps or not.	16 models and the Y12 does not appear as well as a couple of others. Only 16 boxes


The F Box	The G Box	The Hg Box	The Hw Box
There are 21 in this range all up but still only 16 models in the range	Only 15 variations on this box type. Model type Y2 has not been seen. This is the last time that there are only 16 models in the range	For the first time the range increases to 17 models but there are still 19 boxes to acquire	Last set before the change to the huge 'Straw' type box range and 22 boxes to collect

BLISTER PACKS

Released in the USA were the type known as 'Blister Packs' These were enclosed in a plastic bubble and sealed onto a backing card with a description of the model. It made them easier to hang up for display purposes and I know of four separate types. The first has the standard Pink & Yellow (F type) box and the other has a red backing card but is essentially an 'E' or E1 version in a blister pack, the last is just a blister with no box included. This range is very hard to acquire and I do not know all the variants available as yet and would appreciate any input.

	The Pink & Yellow 'F' Type (Courtesy of Kay Schaber)
E2 ?	The red Carded 'E' & 'E1'Type The back of the card shows a 1966 catalogue on both these so presume issued that year. I have seen numbers 9, 10, 14, 16 so far and these are the only two I own.
F1 ?	Sub - category I (plain blue & yellow backing card) of the F type box There are two backing card types to the Pink & Yellow version On this range I have seen evidence of the following Y numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
F2 ?	Sub - category II (Pictorial backing card) of the F type box Is this a first or second issue and reversed with the following. But P & Y was issued 1968 onwards so must predate the plain blister version. So far I have only seen numbers 2, 5, 9
F3?	The plain blister pack with no box attached. Shows as new 'Superfast' and 'Steer -N - Go' on the rear so presume issued 1970 On this range I have seen numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Do you think the blister packs should be afforded a separate code? They are basically the same version as the E, E1 and F range but with the addition of a card to hang them for display. This does not relate to the last version though, without a box so basically a separate box range altogether. Perhaps the red blister card type would be E2 followed by the Pink & Yellow as F1 and F2 then the plain blister as F3. I presume this by the release of the contained box types but may be wrong on issue dates. I would appreciate any information on these packs.

MOBIL BOXES

This range was a promotional run that were issued by the Mobil petrol garages. Only 6 models were issued and you had to save up a book of collectors cards, which were issued on petrol purchases. A full book could be redeemed for a model (see the book page for a view of the cards and book)

My thanks to Kay Schaber for this picture

BOX RARITY DISCOVERY

I have just discovered this Yesteryear box. I have never seen this before in all my years of collecting and am presently gathering information on it. It appears to be made under special license for the Japanese market. It shows a picture of what looks like a Ford model T but contains a Y14 Maxwell and the model has a ring of cardboard round it for protection. Will update as soon as I can.

MORE BOX DISCOVERIES

Thanks to Matthias Kremer, who has found the following two box versions on the Pink & Yellow box types

As can be seen, there is a difference in the text under the MATCHBOX and model description. Thanks very much Matthias for this observation. After checking all Pink & Yellow boxes with other collectors, we have now found 4 different types on the Pink/Yellow boxes.

Here is the list of variants on Pink & Yellow boxes (F Type) found so far.

Text below 'MATCHBOX' and the model description

TYPE 1 "MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------MADE IN ENGLAND

TYPE 2 "MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO.LTD. LONDON ENGLAND ----- MADE IN ENGLAND

TYPE 3 "MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD-----------MATCHBOX IS THE REGD T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND-----MADE IN ENGLAND

TYPE 4 "MATCHBOX" AND "YESTERYEAR" ARE THE REGD T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND (Note: This version also has the small "R" sign on the box top following "Yesteryear")

This is the list so far. I would appreciate if anyone else has anymore to add to this chart. I would like to again thank Matthias Kremer for his input on this list.

Thanks to Jonathan Robers from Germany for more updates on the F type boxes. Thank You.

New model denotes a new issue that wasn't out in a previous E1 box.

F TYPE BOX

TYPE 1		TYPE 2		TYPE 3		TYPE 4
INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL
Yellow	Y1 Ford 'T'	Yellow	Y1 Ford 'T'	Yellow	Y1 Ford 'T'
Yellow	Y2 Renault
				Yellow	Y2 PHV	Yellow	Y2 PHV
Yellow	Y3 Benz			Yellow	Y3 Benz	Yellow	Y3 Benz
Blue	Y4 Opel	Blue	Y4 Opel	Blue	Y4 Opel
Yellow	Y5 Bentley
Blue	Y5 Peugeot (New Model)			Blue	Y5 Peugeot
Blue	Y6 Cadillac	Blue	Y6 Cadillac	Blue	Y6 Cadillac	Blue	Y6 Cadillac
Yellow	Y7 Rolls Royce					Yellow	Y7 Rolls Royce
Blue	Y8 Sunbeam
Yellow	Y8 Stutz (New Model)					Yellow	Y8 Stutz - Red
Yellow	Y9 Simplex - Green	Yellow	Y9 Simplex - Green	Yellow	Y9 Simplex - Green	Yellow	Y9 Simplex - Gold/Red
Blue	Y10 Mercedes
Yellow	Y10 Rolls (New Model)	Yellow	Y10 Rolls			Yellow	Y10 Rolls
Blue	Y11 Packard					Blue	Y11 Packard
Yellow	Y12 Thomas	Yellow	Y12 Thomas			Yellow	Y12 Thomas
Blue	Y13 Daimler	Yellow	Y13 Daimler
Yellow	Y14 Maxwell			Yellow	Y14 Maxwell
Yellow	Y15 Rolls Royce	Yellow	Y15 Rolls Royce
Blue	Y16 Spyker

G TYPE BOX

(Please note there are 2 lower print types on these boxes, either thin or bold, thick script)

TYPE 1		TYPE 2		TYPE 3		TYPE 4
INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL	INSERT	MODEL
						Blue	Y1 Ford 'T'
	No Model issued		No Model issued		No Model issued		No Model issued
						Blue	Y3 Benz
						Blue	Y4 Opel
						Blue	Y5 Peugeot
						Blue	Y6 Cadillac
						Blue	Y7 Rolls Royce
						Blue	Y8 Stutz - Blue
						Blue	Y9 Simplex - Gold/Red
						Blue	Y10 Rolls
						Blue	Y11 Lagonda
						Blue	Y12 Thomas
						Blue	Y13 Daimler
						Blue	Y14 Maxwell
		Blue	Y15 Packard Victoria			Blue	Y15 Packard Victoria
						Blue	Y16 Mercedes Benz

Text below 'MATCHBOX' and the model description
TYPE 1	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 2	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO.LTD. LONDON ENGLAND ----- MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 3	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD-----------MATCHBOX IS THE REGD T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND-----MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 4	"MATCHBOX" AND "YESTERYEAR" ARE THE REGD T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND (Note: This version also has the small "R" sign on the box top following "Yesteryear")