Toy Collector has started its most ambitious project to date, ToyPedia. ToyPedia will attempt to catalogue every toy ever produced in every variant. To date, we believe that 100 million items have been produced that will qualify for entry, and for as long as toy production continues; this number will continue to grow.
ToyPedia will operate as a wiki, written by the whole Toy Collector Community; collectors from all around the world. Everybody from individual collectors to specialist auction houses to manufacturers and dealers can participate - no specialised qualifications are required, just knowledge about your favourite toys!
With such a high number of projected entries to catalogue, ToyPedia will have a unique search system allowing users to filter and view content by any criteria they choose. For example, a user will be able to view content by manufacturer (i.e. Dinky Toys, Steiff), subject (i.e. Circus Toys, Napoleonic Figures) or type of model (i.e. models of Ferrari cars from any toy manufacturer).
Entries can be edited by anyone with access to the internet, simply by clicking the "edit page" link. Anyone is welcome to add information, images, cross-references or citations, as long as they do so within the ToyPedia editing policy and to an appropriate standard. There is no need to worry about accidentally damaging the ToyPedia when adding or improving information, as the software is carefully designed to allow easy reversal of edits if a mistake creeps in, and there will always be experts on hand to correct any obvious errors.
Because the ToyPedia is an ongoing work to which, in principle, anybody can contribute, it differs from a paper-based reference source in several important ways:
- It will have entries for very unusual or rare toys that would not be covered elsewhere. Not all subjects are popular enough to justify the costs involved in producing a printed reference guide. In other cases, it's simply the case that not enough products have been produced to make a book long enough. Neither of these will be a problem for ToyPedia!
- As entries are being constantly updated, they become more comprehensive over time.
- ToyPedia will be continually updated far faster than a paper-based reference source, so information about any changes, developments or new products will be logged within hours or days, rather than the months or years it can take for printed guides to be updated.
- ToyPedia users can create their own handy reference guide to take along to a convention, auction or similar event, by simply printing off the pages with the information they need, eliminating the need to photocopy or write out parts of books by hand, or lug heavy volumes around with them.
Collectors
Collectors have always created their own catalogues of their own particular subject areas, and often have more information on companies past product lines than the companies themselves. Over 30 Toy Collector members have agreed to provide data for ToyPedia. One of them is Rodger Darkens from New Zealand. Over the last 10 years, Rodger has painstakingly catalogued Matchbox Regular Wheels and maintains an excellent website on the subject. He also publishes a Regular Wheels guide. He will now be providing all that information to ToyPedia, giving it a head start for Matchbox. Other members have done the same for a variety of other subjects including Swill Model Cars in 1:43, Airfix kits or Marx Trains accessories.
Toy or Model Manufacturers
Many manufacturers also have extensive archives of their products. The following have already agreed to make theirs available to build ToyPedia, and we look forward to similar arrangements with others shortly:
- ABC Brianza was founded in 1973 by Carlo Brianza and is now run by his son Andrea and his daughter Laura producing limited edition of model cars for collectors. Their scales vary from ¼3rd to 1/10th. An extensive catalogue with over 23,000 items is also available for mail order.
- Corgi, the renowned market leader of precision replicated diecast models founded in 1956 and owned by Hornby. The range now spans models of all types and scales from Aviation, buses, cars and trucks through to iconic TV and film vehicles - many becoming sought after collectors' pieces.
- ACE Trains produce a line of tinplate style gauge 0 locomotives and rolling stock that are the equal of anything issued by the great names of the past.
- Gemini Jets has gone to great lengths to provide diecast metal airliner that replicates without sacrificing accuracy using aircraft manufacturers' blueprints and Pantone color charts to assure accurate duplication.Herpa produces miniature models in various scales that are detailed down to the landing gear and accuracy.
- Jada has over the last nine years become a powerhouse in the manufacturing of die-cast, radio controlled vehicles and toys.
- Merrythought has produced teddy bears since 1930 and is generally regarded as the home of great British bears. The company continues manufacturing under the guidance of the founder's grandson.
- Minichamps is the pioneer and market leader of producing incredible detailed model cars with a range of well over 10,000 models.
- Modellautos Budig is a specialist for rare Post WWII German Cars in 1:43 such as Glas, Goliath, Hanomag, Maico or Zündapp Janus
- Schuco, the legendary toy manufacturer founded in 1912 has a range of exciting toys from old classics to some new exciting models.
- Wm Hocker's ranges of Toy Soldiers are finished in the distinctive style of Mr. William Britain, Junior and cover a wide area of historical interests.
Auction Houses
Several leading Toy Auction Houses will also be working with us on the project. Together, they have thousands of photographs from past auctions that will help build up the image database of the catalogue.
- Antico Mondo based in Cologne, Germany, is concentrating on auctioning toys from the beginning of the 20th century up to the end of the 60s.
- Aston's is a family-run firm of auctioneers, founded just 4 years ago and specialises in selling any sort of toys at auction and our offer a very good personal customer service as well as low commission rates.
- Bonhams, with a dedicated team of very knowledgeable specialists, is able to professionally cover all aspects of antique and collectable toys from advice on valuations to selling or buying at auction.
- Charles Miller Ltd is a new specialist auction house which sells Maritime Models.
- Christie's has donated their archive of images from past toy sales (although Christie's no longer sell toys, dolls and teddy bears, its toy business has passed to Special Auctions Services and doll and teddy bear business to Daniel Agnew. It retains a large image archive which is commercially available to collectors through its Reprint Services).
- Dreweatts conduct transport and other collectible auctions and is the U.K.'s largest regional auctioneer with salerooms and offices in Donnington Priory, Nottingham, Bristol, Marlborough, Godalming, Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne.
- Old Toy Soldier Auctions U.S.A. is specialising exclusively in the sale of old toy soldiers and is run by Old Toy Soldier Magazine publisher Ray Haradin and renowned author and expert Norman Joplin.
- RSL Auctions specializes in Mechanical and Still Banks along with fine early Toys. Specialists Ray Haradin with Leon and Steven Weiss offer their 80 years of combined experience to maximize your collections full potential.
- Special Auction Services are a leading toy specialists and auctioneers in the U.K., holding regular toy auctions including the famous Trains Galore and provides a professional valuation and auction service for Diecast, Tin Plate, Lead figures, Vintage Toys, Dolls, Teddy Bears, Models and Trains.
Retailers
Enjoying direct contact with manufacturers and distributors, retailers are usually the first to see new products, and with more and more retailers going online, they often have excellent photographs and descriptions of items before anyone else. Several retailers will be helping out on ToyPedia and as with auctioneers and manufacturers; we look forward to more joining us along the line.
- Aviation Retail Direct is offering a wide range of aviation models in all scales, commercial, military and historical are all available from our two retail outlets in Hillingdon and Heathrow, run for collectors by collectors.
- Galeria Navarro, with its over 30 years international experience in the World of Antique Toys, is able to offer a range of professional services whether you are a buyer or seller, a private collectors or professional investor.
For more information please go to ToyCollector.com or contact:
Marie Lupo
ToyPedia Co-ordinator
marie.lupo@toycollector.com
+44 (20) 8748 2810