How do you guys identify vintage brands?

I searched if there was a topic like this already, but couldn't find one (and I'm sorry if there is one and I missed it)..

I've been wondering this for a while. (And I think I can't be the only one).

How do you guys identify vintage brands? Is there any mark on these figures or do you "just have to know" them? But its hard to know the exact models since there are so many copies with similar moulds around.... So that's why I'm asking if there is any way to recognise the brands?

I know that Brintains are marked by "Britains" or "England".. but do the others have any text or symbols? Any advice?

I am no expert, but I think that after having seen some from a specific brand, at least you can see when it is probably NOT that one .

The best is to have seen them, - or the catalogues, of course

kristaru wrote:

How do you guys identify vintage brands? Is there any mark on these figures or do you "just have to know" them? But its hard to know the exact models since there are so many copies with similar moulds around.... So that's why I'm asking if there is any way to recognise the brands?

I know that Britains are marked by "Britains" or "England".. but do the others have any text or symbols? Any advice?

Hi kristaru

My knowledge is limited with identification of vintage brands. However, most brands simply have the "Made in ......" text. There were lots of British companies operating in the past and most only have the "Made in England" text. What is needed is a "The Great Book of Plastic Figures" following on from the famous "The Great Book of Hollowcast Figures".

I have many unidentified plastic animal figures and have almost given up hope of identifying them. Hope may be in from knowledgable collectors on this site.

One firm I do have lots of knowledge of is Britains. This is mainly due to having a run of catalogues from 1965 to present, buying their animals when I was a child in shops and with information from internet sites.

BTW older Britains plastic figures also have the "Herald" symbol on their base or underside.

Chris

There is many ways to identify a vintage brand : catalogues, folders, collector books, websites, vintage collectors still with a good memory and Asking on STS .

I guess collectors knowledge is an alchemy using all of these components.

Some vintage brands are very well known and some of us have catalogues or books. For example, LINEOL, HAUSSER-ELASTOLIN, STARLUX, BRITAINS, VEB PLAHO, TIMPO, REISLER, QUIRALU, MARX...

Some have a special touch that can help, even if there is no catalogues or books : BLANCHERIE FRERES, CLAIRET, AUBURN, JEAN HÖFFLER, LINDE, WENDAL

The material can help too :
Composition : Mostly Germany and Austria, but also Denmark, Belgium and Italy. Until the 1960's
Hollowcast lead : Mostly UK and France, but also USA. Until the 1950's and 1960's
Very hard and painted plastic : France from the 1960's to the 1980's.
Aluminium : France and UK, around WW2
Well...

Great stuff, Chris and Christophe

Hey, I remembered one more thing, - some have a special smell !!!
The oldest Reisler have a very faint but distinctive, sharp smell
I LOVE that smell, it reminds me of birthdays, good friends, childhood....

SUSANNE wrote:

Great stuff, Chris and Christophe

Hey, I remembered one more thing, - some have a special smell !!!
The oldest Reisler have a very faint but distinctive, sharp smell
I LOVE that smell, it reminds me of birthdays, good friends, childhood....

You are right Susanne How can I forget ? it's the same with CLAIRET and STARLUX mmmmmh !

Thank you all very much for the tips! This was very helpful!