1957 Matchbox Toys Fold out Catalogue.
This previewed the first 42 models in the range.

1957 Model of Yesteryear Fold out Catalogue.
This previewed the first 9 models in the range.

When I started collecting Matchbox Toys there were no books available on the subject. The only reference material available were the Matchbox Toys Pocket Catalogues.

Over the years these catalogues provided a wealth of information including the history of Matchbox Toys as well as how they were made.

Catalogues were printed in a number of different languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese. They were also printed for specific markets like UK, USA and later Australia.

They previewed new models to be released throughout the year and many had a place where you could record your models and keep track of what you owned.

Yep, back in the old days they were essential to the serious collector trying to amass at least one of every model!

Fred Bronner, the importer of Matchbox toys into the USA produced a fold-out leaflet in 1955 showing the first 12 models available. This was, however a "Trade Only" catalogue and not available to the public. I will cover these Trade Catalogues at a later date.