Unofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors' Guide, free chapter!

 

  • Unofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors' Guide, free chapter!

    Posted by Huw, 24 Apr 2012 05:49. Filed under Miscellaneous.

    Gary Istok (istokg in the forum) is the world's authority on the history of LEGO and its products, as anyone who's read his posts in the forum will attest. He's just finished work on the second edition of his Unofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors' Guide 1949-1990s, published on DVD, and it's now available for immediate worldwide shipping from his BrickLink store for US$30.

    My copy is on order so I can't fully review it yet, but I have seen some sample chapters and they are excellent. Gary has agreed to make a sample chapter available, exclusively through Brickset, so you can judge for yourself the quality of the information and images, some of which are from this site.

    If you have any interest in LEGO products [1], particularly those made during the early years of the company (which are not covered here at Brickset, yet) this is an essential purchase. Expect to see a review here when I have my copy.

    [1] so that'll be everyone reading this, surely!


    21 comments, latest one posted 13 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 06:15

Contents of the DVD:

THE UNOFFICIAL LEGO SETS/PARTS COLLECTORS GUIDE
(1949-90s)

PREFACE

I - LEGO EARLY HISTORY

1.0 THE LEGO BRICK - THE EARLY HISTORY (1932-80).
1.1 The LEGO Company Early History (1932-49).
1.2 Automatic Binding Bricks - (1949-1953).
1.3 LEGO Mursten Years - (1953-1955).
1.4 LEGO System of Play - The Early Town Plan Years (1955-1958).
1.5 The Mature Town Plan Years (1958-1965).
1.6 New LEGO Systems & Early Legoland Years (1966-1972).
1.7 LEGO in Transition - The Legoland Years (1973-1980).
1.8 Updating the LEGO Systems (1980-86).
1.9 Expanding into new LEGO Systems (1987-95).

2.0 LEGO - AUTOMATIC BINDING BRICKS & PRIMA (1949-55).
2.1 Denmark/Norway/Sweden Automatic Binding Bricks/LEGO (1949-53).
2.2 Automatic Binding Bricks Sets (1949-53).
2.3 Automatic Binding Bricks Spare Parts Packs (1950-53).
2.4 Automatic Binding Bricks - Individual Elements (1949-53).
2.5 Automatic Binding Bricks - Idea Brochures (1950-53).
2.6 GEAS - Automatic Binding Bricks - (1950-51).
2.7 PRIMA - Automatic Binding Bricks - (1953-55).

II - LEGO TOWN SYSTEM SETS

3.0 LEGO TOWN PLAN SETS & BOARDS (1955-83).
3.1 The Town Plan Boards (1955-70).
3.2 The Town Plan Sets (1957-70).
3.3 Later Town Scene Sets (1970-83).

4.0 LEGO UNIQUE & BLUE/YELLOW BASIC SETS (1955-66).
4.1 Mosaik LEGO Sets of Denmark/Norway/Sweden (1955-56).
4.1 #717 Junior Constructor Set - USA/Canada (1961-65).
4.2 Blue/Yellow Basic Sets - Denmark/Sweden/Switzerland (1958-64).
4.3 #712 Wooden Box Set - Germany (1963-65).
4.4 #600/1 Basic Building Set - Britain/Australia (1962-65).

5.0 LEGO BASIC SETS (1953-65).
5.1 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia LEGO Basic Sets (1949-65).
5.1.1 #700/x Basic Set Descriptions by Set #
5.1.2 #700/x Basic Set Descriptions by Box Type
5.1.3 #700/x Switzerland Basic Sets (1957-65).
5.2 USA/Canada Samsonite LEGO Basic Sets (1961-65).

6.0 LEGO UNIVERSAL BUILDING SETS (1965-80).
6.1 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia LEGO Basic Sets (1965-72).
6.1.1 LEGO Basic Sets (1965-70).
6.1.2 LEGO Basic Sets (1968-72).
6.2 USA/Canada Samsonite LEGO Basic Sets (1965-73).
6.3 LEGO Universal Building Sets (1973-75).
6.4 LEGO Universal Building Sets (1976-80).

7.0 LEGO BASIC SETS (1980-90).
7.1 Regular/Special Boxed Basic LEGO Sets (1980-90).

8.0 LEGO TOWN MODEL SETS (1955-71).
8.1 LEGO Town Plan Model Sets (1955-65).
8.2 LEGO Town/Model Makers Sets (1962-71).

9.0 LEGOLAND LARGE TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90).
9.1 Legoland Large Town Model Sets (1980-90).

10.0 LEGOLAND SMALL TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90).
10.1 Small Legoland Town Sets (1980-90).

11.0 USA/CANADA DEPARTMENT STORE CATALOG SETS (1962-75).
11.1 Department Store Catalog Sets in Colorful Boxes (1962-75).
11.2 Department Store Catalog Sets in Brown Cardboard Boxes (1966-72).

12.0 LEGO LARGE TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90).
12.1 Large LEGO Town Sets (1980-903).

13.0 LEGO SMALL TOWN MODEL SETS (1980-90).
13.1 Small LEGO Town Sets (1980-90).

14.0 LEGO PARADISA SETS (1991-97).
14.1 Paradisa and Pink Basic Sets.

15.0 WOODEN BOX LEGO SETS (1950-80).
15.1 Retailer Wooden Boxes (1950-80).
15.2 LEGO #700 Wooden Box Sets (1957-65).
15.3 LEGO Wooden Box Sets (1959-72).
15.4 LEGO Wooden Box Content Lists (1957-72).
15.5 Wooden Box Sets With Red Masonite Lid (1965-78).

16.0 SUITCASE SETS & PLASTIC/CLOTH STORAGE BOXES (1966-95).
16.1 Suitcase & Travel Case Sets (1966-95).
16.2 Plastic Storage Boxes/Storage Cloth (1971-95).
16.3 Bucket/Tub Basic LEGO Sets (1983-90).

17.0 LEGO PROMOTIONAL SETS (1955-95).
17.1 USA Promotional LEGO Sets (1963-95).
17.2 British Promotional LEGO Sets (1967-95).
17.3 Continental European Promotional LEGO Sets (1972-95).
17.4 World’s Fair LEGO Sets (1964-65).
17.5 LEGO Company Promotional Sets (1958-95).
17.6 Other Company Promotional Sets (1963-95).
17.7 LEGO 1:87 Promotional Cars/Trucks (1955-67).

18.0 LEGO SETS/PARTS NOT PUT INTO PRODUCTION (1955-95).
18.1 LEGO Sets Not Put Into Production (1955-95).
18.2 LEGO Elements Not Put Into Production (1955-95).

III - OTHER LEGO SYSTEM SETS

19.0 LEGO BLUE TRACK TRAIN SYSTEM (1966-1979).
19.1 LEGO Push/4.5 Volt Train System

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 06:15


19.2 LEGO 12 Volt Train System Sets (1969-79).
19.3 LEGO Train System Service Packs (1970-79).

20.0 LEGO GRAY TRACK TRAIN SYSTEM (1980-1990).
20.1 LEGO 4.5V/12V Train System Sets (1980-90).
20.2 LEGO Train System Service Packs (1980-93).

21.0 EARLY PRE-SCHOOL, DUPLO & NURSERY BRICKS (1950-1979).
21.1 Early LEGO Pre-School (1950-53).
21.2 Samsonite/European LEGO Pre-School (1964-72).
21.3 LEGO Duplo/Pre-School/Nursery Bricks (1969-79).

22.0 MODERN DUPLO (1980-1990).
22.4 LEGO Modern Duplo Sets (1980-90)

23.0 FABULAND (1979-1989).
23.1 LEGO Fabuland Sets (1979-89)

24.0 LEGO MOTORS & GEARS & SETS (1965-1993).
24.1 LEGO Motors (1965-93).
24.2 Samsonite LEGO Gears (1965-73).
24.3 European LEGO Gears (1970-77).

25.0 TECHNIC & EXPERT BUILDER SYSTEM SETS (1977-1990).
25.1 LEGO Early Expert Builder/Technical Sets (1977-80).
25.2 LEGO Technic Sets (1980-90).

26.0 LEGO CLASSIC CASTLE SYSTEM (1959-95).
26.1 Early LEGO Castle (1959-77).
26.2 Early Classic LEGO Castle Sets (1978-83).

27.0 LEGO CASTLE/PIRATE SYSTEM (1984-92).
27.1 Gray Castle Sets (1984-90).
27.2 Forestmen LEGO Sets (1987-90).
27.3 Crusaders LEGO Castle Sets (1987-92).
27.4 Black Knights LEGO Castle Sets (1988-92).
27.5 Pirate LEGO Sets 1989-92).

28.0 LEGO EARLY SPACE SYSTEM (1964-95).
28.1 Early LEGO Space (1964-78).
28.2 Early Classic LEGO Space Sets (1978-80).

29.0 LEGO SPACE SYSTEM (1980-93).
29.1 Classic LEGO Space Sets (1980-88).
29.2 LEGO FUTURON Space Sets (1987-90).
29.4 LEGO M:TRON Space Sets (1990-91).
29.5 LEGO BLACKTRON Space Sets (1987-93).
29.6 LEGO Space Police Sets (1989-93).

30.0 HOMEMAKER SETS & LEGO SETS WITH PEOPLE (1971-82).
30.1 Early LEGO Doll House Furniture (1959-65).
30.2 Samsonite LEGO Doll House Furniture (1965-66).
30.3 Homemaker LEGO Sets (1971-1982).
30.4 LEGO Building Sets with People/Family Sets (1974-1980).
30.5 LEGO Basic Sets with People (1976-1981).

31.0 SCALA SETS (1979-82).
31.1 Scala Jewelry Sets (1979-82).

32.0 LEGO HOBBY SETS (1975-79).
32.1 LEGO Hobby Model Sets.(1975-79).

32.0 LEGO MINITALIA SETS & PARTS (1970-1980).
32.1 LEGO Minitalia History (1970-80).
32.2 LEGO Minitalia Parts (1970-80).
32.3 Minitalia/Minitalia-Like Sets (1970-80).

33.0 EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURAL LEGO SETS (1963-65).
33.1 Architectural LEGO Sets (1963-65).
33.2 Architectural LEGO Spare Parts Packs (1963-65).

IV - LEGO - MISCELLANEOUS SETS & ACCESSORIES

34.0 LEGO CARS & TRUCKS w/ METAL WHEELS (1953-70).
34.1 1:87 LEGO Cars w/ Metal Wheels (1956-69).
34.2 1:87 LEGO Trucks w/ Metal Wheels (1955-1970).
34.3 1:87 LEGO Car/Truck Multi-Packs (1965-68).
34.4 Non LEGO System Vehicles & 1:43 Trucks (1953-58).

35.0 LEGO IDEA BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND BOOKLETS (1950-75).
35.1 Early LEGO Mursten Building Idea Brochure (1950-55)
35.2 Early Unnumbered LEGO Building Idea Booklets (1955-63).
35.3 LEGO Building Idea Leaflets/Booklets (1959-65).
35.4 LEGO Building Idea Book #238 Variations (1960-68).
35.5 LEGO Building Idea Books (1966-75).
35.6 Unnumbered LEGO Books/Blueprints (1965-68).

36.0 LEGO IDEA MAGAZINES (1973-93).
36.1 Magazine Style LEGO Idea Booklets (1973-93)

37.0 EDUCATIONAL/INSTITUTIONAL LEGO SETS (1961-80).
37.1 LEGO Educational Sets (1961-80).

38.0 EARLY LEGO SPARE PARTS PACKS (1950-66).
38.1 Spare Parts Packs (1950-55).
38.2 Spare Parts Packs (1955-58).
38.3 Spare Parts Packs (1959-66).
38.4 Spare Parts Pack Content Variations (1955-66).
38.5 #235/#1235 Garage Pack Box Styles (1955-66).
38.6 Spare Parts Pack Brochures (1955-66).

39.0 LEGO SPARE PARTS PACKS (1966-79).
39.1 LEGO Spare Parts Packs (1965-73).
39.1.1 Continental Europe Spare Parts Packs (1966-68).
39.1.2 Continental Europe Spare Parts Packs (1969-72).
39.1.3 Britain/Australia Spare Parts Packs (1966-72).
39.1.4 USA Samsonite Spare Parts Packs (1966-72).
39.1.5 Canada Samsonite Spare Parts Packs (1966-68).
39.1.6 Canada Samsonite Spare Parts Packs (1969-73).
39.2 LEGO Spare Parts Packs (1973-79).

40.0 LEGO SPARE PARTS PACKS (1980-91).
40.1 LEGO Spare parts packs 1980-85).
40.2 LEGO Spare parts packs 1986-91).

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 06:16

41.0 LEGO SERVICE PACKS & INDIVIDUAL PART SALES (1950-90).
41.1 Denmark - Individual Part Sales (1950-65).
41.2 Continental Europe - Retailer 1:87 Vehicle Boxes (1957-64).
41.3 Continental Europe - Retailer Window/Door Boxes (1957-66).
41.4 Britain/Australia - Mail Order Service Packs (1970-76).
41.5 Continental Europe Individual Specialty Parts Sales (1972-76).
41.6 Continental Europe/Britain/Australia - Service Packs (1977-85).
41.7 USA - Mail Order Service Packs (1980-84).
41.8 World Wide Service Packs (1980-86).
41.9 World Wide Service Packs (1987-90).

V - LEGO - EARLY PARTS

42.0 LEGO WINDOWS AND DOORS (1949-90).
42.1 Automatic Binding Bricks - Windows/Doors (1949-55).
42.2 Early Classic LEGO Windows/Doors with Wings (1954-56).
42.3 Classic LEGO Windows/Doors (1956-86).
42.4 1970’s Era LEGO Windows/Doors (1971-86).
42.5 Modern LEGO Windows/Doors (1978-90).
42.6 LEGO Utility Doors & Shutters (1967-86).

43.0 LEGO TREES & BUSHES (1955-99).
43.1 Early LEGO Trees & Bushes (1955-60).
43.2 LEGO Trees & Bushes (1960-72).
43.3 LEGO Trees & Bushes - USA/Canada (1963-72).
43.4 Granulated LEGO Trees & Bushes (1970-74).
43.5 Modern LEGO Trees (1974-99).

44.0 LEGO GARAGES/SERVICE STATIONS & ACCESSORIES (1955-85).
44.1 LEGO Garages w/ Garage Doors (1955-82).
44.1.1 LEGO Town Plan Flip-up Garages (1955-71)
44.1.2 LEGO 1:87 Auto Garages (1962-70).
44.1.3 1970’s LEGO Garages (1971-82).
44.2 LEGO Open Garages (1957-75).
44.3 Esso Service Station & Accessories (1955-67).
44.4 Shell Service Station & Accessories (1966-85).
44.5 Exxon Service Station & Accessories - USA (1979-85).

45.0 LEGO TOWN ACCESSORIES (1955-87).
45.1 LEGO Flags (1957-86).
45.1.1 LEGO Wavy Flags (1957-73).
45.1.2 LEGO Straight Country/LEGO Flags with Stickers (1973-82).
45.1.3 LEGO Non-Country Straight Flags (1973-86).
45.2.2 LEGO Road Signs (1955-87).
45.2.2.1 Early LEGO Road Signs (1955-72).
45.2.2 Tall LEGO Road Signs (1969-87).
45.3 LEGO Streetlights (1957-72).
45.4 LEGO Bicyclists/Motorcyclists (1956-65).
45.5 LEGO Police/Traffic Accessories (1956-81).
45.5.1 LEGO Traffic Police & Accessories (1956-65)
45.5.2 LEGO Police Freestanding Sign (1976-82)
45.6 LEGO Antennas (1969-86).
45.7 LEGO Lighting Device (1957-86).

46.0 PRINTED & PAINTED LEGO ELEMENTS & STICKERS (1955-1990).
46.1 LEGO Printed Beams (1955-65).
46.2 LEGO Printed Beams (1966-85).
46.3 LEGO Printed Train Beams (1966-80).
46.4 LEGO Alphabet/Number Bricks (1957-86).
46.5 LEGO Stickers (1971-82).
46.6 Painted LEGO Parts (1955-72).
46.7 LEGO Stickers - Modern Era (82-90).

47.0 LEGO BRICKS (1949-90).
47.1 LEGO Slotted Bricks (1949-56).
47.2 LEGO Non-Slotted Hollow Bottom Bricks (1956-58).
47.3 LEGO Stud Fonts and Pat. Pend. (1955-Present).
47.4 LEGO Tube Bottom/Post Bottom Bricks (1958-90).
47.5 LEGO 2 Stud Wide Bricks (1949-90).
47.6 LEGO 1 Stud Wide Bricks (1954-90).

48.0 LEGO PLATES (1955-90).
48.1 Waffle Bottom & Early Circle Bottom Plates (1955-72).
48.2 Waffle/Circle Bottom Plate Variations (1956-72).
48.3 Small Circle Bottom LEGO Plates (1963-80).
48.4 Large Circle Bottom LEGO Plates (1963-80).
48.5 Modified LEGO Plates (1966-80).
48.6 Modern LEGO Plates (1980-90).

49.0 LEGO ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS (1954-92).
49.1 1x1 Round Bricks (1954-Present).
49.2 1x1 Fat (Minifig Head) Round Bricks (1975-92).
49.3 2x2 Quarter Circle/2x4 Half Circle Curved Bricks (1955-80).
49.4 2x2 Round Bricks & Plates (1978-82).
49.5 LEGO Lattice Fences/Gates (1966-92).
49.6 LEGO Arch Bricks (1971-93).
49.7 LEGO Tiles (1965-80).

50.0 LEGO SLOPED BRICKS (1958-86).
50.1 LEGO 45 Degree Slope Bricks (1958-79).
50.2 LEGO 33 Degree Low Slope Bricks (1971-84).
50.3 LEGO 75 Degree Steep Slope Bricks (1978-86).
50.4 LEGO Inverted Slope Bricks (1976-86).

51.0 WHEEL,VEHICLE & TRAIN ACCESSORIES (1963-79).
51.1 LEGO Town Wheels, Tires and Axles (1963-79).
51.2 LEGO Truck & Car Accessories (1963-79).
51.3 LEGO Train Wheels & Accessories (1966-79).
51.4 LEGO Modern Acessories (1980-90).

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 06:16

52.0 LEGOGEAR & EXPERT BUILDER/TECHNIC PARTS (1965-92).
52.1 LEGO Samsonite and European Gears & Accessories (1965-79).
52.1.1 LEGO Samsonite Gears in USA/Canada (1965-73).
52.1.2 LEGO European Gears (1970-79).
52.2.1 LEGO Expert Builder/Technic Accessories (1977-82).
52.2.2 LEGO Technic Accessories (1982-92).

53.0 LEGO AIRPLANE, JET& BOAT PARTS (1970-80).
53.1 LEGO Airplane/Jet/Rocket Parts & Accessories (1970-80).
53.2 LEGO Boat Parts & Accessories (1973-80).
53.3 LEGO Accessories (1980-90).

54.0 LEGO MINIFIG’S/MAXIFIG’S & ACCESSORIES (1974-82).
54.1 LEGO Maxifig & Accessories (1974-82).
54.2 Old & New LEGO Minifig’s & Accessories (1975-82).
54.3 LEGO Minifig’s (1982-90).

55.0 LEGO EARLY CLASSIC SPACE ACCESSORIES (1979-90).
55.1 LEGO Space Accessories (1979-90).

56.0 LEGO HOMEMAKER ACESSORIES (1971-82).
56.1 LEGO Homemaker Accessories (1971-82).

57.0 LEGO BASEPLATES & ROAD PLATES (1951-85).
57.1 LEGO 10x20 Thick Baseplates (1951-85).
57.2 LEGO 10x10 Thick Baseplates (1961-70).
57.3 LEGO Thin Baseplates (1965-94).
57.4 LEGO Roadway Baseplates (1970-84).
57.5 LEGO Roadway Baseplates (1985-90).

58.0 THE LEGO PLASTICS - CELLULOSE ACETATE & ABS.
58.1 Cellulose Acetate - The Unstable Plastic (1949-70).
58.2 Problems with Cellulose Acetate LEGO Sets.
58.3 Switch to ABS Plastic (1963-70)
58.4 Problems with ABS Plastic (1963-80).

VI - OTHER LEGO INFORMATION

59.0 EARLY LEGO CATALOGS (1950-65).
59.1 Early LEGO Catalogs.

60.0 LEGO PICTURED PARTS CATALOG (1949-67).
60.1 Individual LEGO Parts Catalog (1949-67).
60.2 Regional LEGO Parts Catalog (1955-66).

61.0 LEGO BOXES & IMAGES - DESIGNS & ARTWORK (1949-80).
61.1 LEGO Box Top Designs (1949-80).
61.2 LEGO Box Artwork (1956-59).
61.3 LEGO Boxes/Images with Christiansen Family Members (1950-71).

62.0 LEGO INSTRUCTIONS, CONTENT LISTS & BROCHURES (1949-82).
62.1 Automatic Binding Bricks Instructions & Idea Booklets (1949-53).
62.2 LEGO Mursten Instructions (1954-55).
62.3 LEGO Model & Basic Set Instructions (1955-65).
62.4 LEGO Town Plan Set Instructions & Content Lists (1961-67).
62.5 LEGO Spare Parts Pack Instructions (1955-65).
62.6 LEGO Wooden Box Set Content Lists & Booklets (1957-78).
62.7 LEGO Architectural Set Instructions & Booklets (1963-65).
62.8 LEGO Basic Set Instructions (1965-79).
62.9 LEGO Model Set Instructions (1965-79).
62.10 LEGO Castle System Instructions (1978-82).
62.11 LEGO Technic/Expert Builder System Instructions (1977-82).
62.12 LEGO Modern Building Instructions (1982-90).

63.0 EXCLUSIVE LEGO ELEMENTS BY REGION (1949-85).
63.1 Denmark Only LEGO Items.
63.2 Norway Only LEGO Items.
63.3 Sweden Only LEGO Items.
63.4 Denmark/Norway/Sweden Only LEGO Items.
63.5 Continental European Only LEGO Items.
63.6 Specific Country Continental European Only LEGO Items.
63.7 Britain/Australia/Ireland Only LEGO Items.
63.8 Europe/Australia Only LEGO Items.
63.9 Europe/Australia/Canada Only LEGO Items.
63.10 USA/Canada Only LEGO Items.
63.11 USA Only LEGO Items.
63.12 Canada Only LEGO Items.

64.0 LEGO RETAILER BINDERS & CATALOGS (1953-70).
64.1 LEGO Retailer Binders & Catalogs.

65.0 LEGO RETAILER DISPLAY MODEL CATALOGS (1958-61).
65.1 LEGO Retailer Display Model Catalogs.

66.0 LEGO MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENTS (1953-90).
66.1 LEGO Magazine Advertisements.

67.0 USA/CANADA MAIL ORDER CATALOG LEGO SALES (1962-80).
67.1 USA/Canada Department Store LEGO Mail Order Advertisements.

68.0 LEGO DISPLAYS, MODEL SHOPS & TOY FAIRS (1955-72).
68.1 LEGO Retailer Displays (1955-72).
68.2 LEGO Model Shops & Display Models (1955-72).
68.3 LEGO Toy Fairs (1959-72).

69.0 LEGO LOGOS (1936-Present).
69.1 Old LEGO Company Logos.

70.0 LEGO SALES OFFICES/HISTORY.
70.1 LEGO Sales Offices/History by Country/Year.
_________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX A - 1961 PROTOTYPE #717 JUNIOR CONSTRUCTOR SET - INSTRUCTIONS AND HISTORY.

APPENDIX B - LEGO CLONES & OTHER BUILDING TOY SYSTEMS.

Posted by carldr in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 08:00

Wow, just wow. Ordered.

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 24 Apr 2012 08:38

Looks really good. Pictures are awesome.

Posted by Gandalf1 in United States, 24 Apr 2012 08:54

It's really cool!

Posted by joao in Portugal, 24 Apr 2012 09:54

Any chance of a digital download option? I'd pay the same for it. I don't use dvd's anymore and it's saves on shipping costs (leave the parcel people available to bring me LEGO bricks, please).
Edit: I believe Amazon allows you to self-publish if you want. I'm not an author so I don't know how well that works.

Posted by Psymon in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 16:03

$30 seems steep for a digital copy.

Posted by brankell5566 in Canada, 24 Apr 2012 19:02

^ Well just think about all the time and money he has spent writing this book and see for yourself. To be honest, I think $30 is quite low for a book like this with all type of info on the LEGO Group.

Posted by 1265 in United States, 24 Apr 2012 22:45

In today's world...this will be available for free due to our pirated society. Nonetheless, $30 is a reasonable price to pay.

Posted by Midwestguy in United States, 24 Apr 2012 22:58

The free chapter is awesome. I can't wait to read the whole book. I second the request for a digital download. It would be a great volume for the iPad.

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 01:33

I am looking into a digital download option, so stay tuned for that option (not sure that could be an option on Bricklink, but I'm getting an ISBN number to sell it on Amazon.com in the near future, where downloads are an option).

The DVD has 2,800 pages. If I put that in book form, it would likely be a 3 volume set (at $29.95 per volume!).

What makes this different than all other LEGO items is that I have amassed nearly 10,000 LEGO images (6,000 used in the DVD), many historic, of many rare and never before seen LEGO items. I have also had the LEGO Archives in Billund give me images and info. I also have been supplying the Archives with many items that they have no record of, such as green classic windows/doors, blue 1x1 letter bricks with gold lettering, red based road signs, black 10x20 base plates... all from Norway (1955-58).

The LEGO Archives admit that they do not have all of the items from early Norway and Sweden, and also are missing many items from USA/Canada during the Samsonite era (1961-72 for USA, 1962-85 for Canada).

My favorite LEGO DVD chapter is the one on wooden box sets. I have 82 unique wooden box sets pictured in that chapter. No online database has more than 5 or 6 wooden boxes listed/pictured. And another area that you will not find a lot of set listed is USA/Canada Department Store Catalog Sets (1961-73).

Also, I have to get Huw an updated list of chapters... there are 73 Chapters in the DVD, along with 4 Appendices. One noticeable absent chapter is Chapter 71 on LEGO Commercials (1957-present). It links directly to an only webpage with many old rare LEGO commercial videos (you will still have the CD chapter open, just you will open an window to view the online videos).

Also, one area that I have identified uniquely are USA/Canada Samsonite sets, and UK/Ireland/Australia British LEGO Ltd. sets (of Wrexham Wales). There are many LEGO sets and parts unique to these areas that were never sold in Continental Europe... and I identify both unique sets and parts (along with pictures).

One item also not mention in Huw's comments above is a 400 page price guide for 1949-1980 sets. Most more modern sets are listed in an online price guide (such as Bricklink). while many older sets are not. The price guides are in dollars and Euros, and contain 10,157 prices under each... in conditions... VG.... EX... MIB.... MISB.

The folks at the LEGO Collections/Archives are awaiting their copy of the LEGO DVD... to see what else is not in the LEGO Archives.

Cheers,
Gary Istok

P.S. I've been collecting LEGO for 52 years. I worked on this for several years in total... 2006-2007, and 2010-2012.

Posted by tsi in Germany, 25 Apr 2012 16:30

I just read the example chapter about the lego trains from 1980-1991: What about the different versions of the sleeper plates, the different versions of straight/curved rails, the different versions of 12V-electric points, the different versions of isolating straight tracks, the different versions of the sets 7861/7864/7867, the other known 12V service parts, the amazing 12V advertisements in journals, ... ? This example chapter shows only the well known very basics about this theme.

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 17:53

In the LEGO DVD.... PARTS chapters are separate from SET chapters. However, most of the newer parts are easily identified in either the PEERON or BRICKLINK databases. So on newer parts... what purpose would be served in showing you something that you could already find in either PEERON or BRICKLINK?

This is not the case for older LEGO parts, many of whose variations are not listed in either PEERON or BRICKLINK... especially before 1975. Below is an example (from the chapter on Individual Parts Sales and Service Packs) of the 1972-76 individual parts sold by continental European retailers from their wooden retailer boxes (usually kept under the counter at the retailer). These parts are not identified by their correct part number in any online database. The same holds true for the blue track era train couplings (1966-68) before magnets were used. There were 1966 couplings (with modified 2x2 red plates)... 1967 couplings and 1968 couplings... all (with modified 2x4 red plates) uniquely different for each year.

Note: these numbers below were obtained from continental European retailer boxes... (I hope the colums don't get left justified when I add this comment...)
______________________________________________________________

1972-76 Continental Europe - Retailer Individual Special Parts Service
______________________________________________________________
TLG Part Parts Refill
Numbers Description Counts
______________________________________________________________
#6003 Rubber Belts for Motor Wheels 40
#6018 Gear Axle Metal Longs 10
#6061 On/Off Switch for Battery Case 5
#6190 4.5 V Cable with End Connectors 10
#6192 12 V Cable with End Connectors 10
#7036 2x2 Brick with Small Double Wheels/Tires 10
#7042 Red Train Wheels 20
#7052 Steering Column & Brick 5
#7062 2x2 Brick with Small Single Wheels/Tires 10
#7064 2x2 Lamp Bricks 10
#7065 Small Hinges - Red 10
#7067 Small Hinges - Gray 10
#7085 2x4 Gray Bricks with Gear Axle Holes 20
#7329 Large Hinges 5
#7577 Gear Differentials 15
#7922 Airplane Tails 5
#7923 Airplane Wheels/Tires 10
#305026 Large Plates for Steering Column 5
#305126 Small Plates for Steering Column 5
#305802 Large Plates with Motor Cutout 5
#309626 Rubber Caterpillar Tracks 20
#309726 Small Tires 20
#316701 Large Milky White Gear Axles 20
#316801 Medium Milky White Gear Axles 20
#316901 Small Milky White Gear Axles 20
#317001 Very Small Milky White Gear Axles 20
#317321 Gear Axle Bushes 10
#318321 Ball & Socket Connectors 10
#345726 Tires for Gears 12
#346001 1x8 Plates for Helicopter Rotors 12
#346101 Plates w/ Copter Rotor Holders/Cross Plates 10
#358523 Large Airplane Wings (Left) 5
#358623 Large Airplane Wings (Right) 5
____________________________________________________________

You are correct that the gray track era set information is only basic. What this is, is just an overview of what you can find in an online database. However, I add tables to all my chapters that list which regions the sets were sold in. Generally you won't find any online database that mentions where these sets were sold... Most of these gray track sets were NOT sold in the USA. Canada did have some sets not sold in the USA, but not as many as were sold in Continental Europe (in fact until 1980 (gray track era) no 12V trains were sold outside of Continental Europe). So in the tables of each chapter, I mention WHERE each set was sold.

For sets older than 1980 I go into much more details about parts and set variations. That's because after 1980 thousands of special parts were introduced, and they are mostly mentioned in either the PEERON or BRICKLINK databases. Don't think of this document as an ALL INCLUSIVE document (it would go over 5000 pages if it were). Just think of it as "augmenti

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 17:57

... augmenting what is in the PEERON and BRICKLINK databases.

Cheers,
Gary Istok

P.S. The above table did get "left justified".... the headings were .... TLG PART NUMBER... PARTS DESCRIPTION... REFILL COUNTS...

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 18:01

Also, here's an example of the type of information that you won't find in the online parts databases... the first (1966-68) train couplings...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/istokg/6967892836/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 18:08

... and here's an example of using a table format to good effect (a picture says 1000 words)... the 1971-79 Large Town Model Sets... where the USA had a different set number (and often a different introduction date) than did the rest of the world...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/istokg/6897947110/sizes/l/in/photostream/

It's items like this table (and the image of couplings in the previous comment)... and not the individual set picture/listing that is useful to the advanced collectors.

Cheers,
Gary Istok

P.S. There are over 300 LEGO sets/items that are in my LEGO DVD that are NOT listed in any online set databases.

Posted by Istokg in United States, 25 Apr 2012 18:27

That last image with the 3 train couplings was given me by Reinhold "Ben" Beneke. Another image listing all the unique promotional Scandinavian ferry boat sets that had unique windows.... this table (thru the generosity of Jan Katanek) is also found in my LEGO DVD...

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1402870

Cheers,
Gary Istok

Posted by tsi in Germany, 26 Apr 2012 05:36

Hallo Gary,

thanks for your replies! I bought your first version of the CD (and your actual DVD too), and i expected something equal for the example chapter "trains 1980-1991".
I didn't really expected pictures of the stuff I mentioned, but an advice that there are and why there are different versions on the time line and some background info to the themes.
These information are missing in the online databases and I thought I can read it in this chapter.

I am pretty shure that the DVD ist worth multiple the money I paid for it and if there will be a future version, I'll be one of the firsts who orders it ;-)

Thanks a lot, tsi

Posted by Istokg in United States, 26 Apr 2012 14:14

Hi tsi.... after I posted my comments, I realized that with the blue track era chapter I did have images of many of the variations of the older 150-159 track/parts boxes... With the newer 12V trains I only had the 1 box top variety to go by. But as with the blue track era... the gray track era had lasted quite some time... so variations on the box design/instruction design differences and part differences (such as the 1 prong wires versus the 2 prong wires, and the "diffused" light bricks versus the ones that are plain). Also, Brickset gave me permission to use their images for many of the Version 2 DVD. For 12V 1980s trains... the images are from the front of the instructions page, and not the box images (although even the instructions underwent changes between 1980 and 1990).

I may have seemed a bit too defensive, and really do appreciate your comments and critique. One other note: the 12V train system was never sold in the USA. When I visited Germany in the 1980s, I loved the 7740 Intercity Train... but never did purchase one because back then extra parts (ersatzteile) would prove not possible to get in the USA... back in the day before the internet (and Bricklink/Ebay).

Interestingly enough TLG has historically modified set boxes that had long production periods (not just trains). The 318 Taxi set of 1964-69 came in at least 1/2 dozen different box designs... although some of them were Samsonite (USA/Canada) or British LEGO Ltd. box designs. And TLG also updated the contents as well (switching from gray tires to black tires in the case of the 318 set).

Tsi, can you private email me at: istokg@earthlink.net... I want to ask you a few questions about the gray track 12V line. With the blue track line, I had input from a train expert... Reinhold Beneke, but he's disappeared these last few years... so I didn't have that a lot of input for the gray track era.

Thanks,
Gary Istok

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