Bricks and Pieces magazine archive updated

 

  • Bricks and Pieces magazine archive updated

    Posted by Huw, 20 Aug 2010 06:53. Filed under Brickset.

    I've now scanned every copy I've been loaned, from 1981 to 1988.

    It's interesting to see how it evolved over that time and in around 1986 it dumbed-down considerably, which seems to coincide with the departure of one of the editors. I wonder if that's the reason.

    By 1988 they are slightly better than today's but the rot has set in, being almost full of competitions, cartoons and other trivia.

    I don't intend to add any more beyond 1988 but I'd love to add some of the earlier issues, so if you have a stash of them somewhere, get in touch!


    19 comments, latest one posted 34 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by legocity1 in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 08:58

Thank you for putting these up Huw, there quite interesting to read.

Posted by Frasse in Sweden, 20 Aug 2010 13:04

Wow, thanks alot! Especially the '88 issue got me nostalgic

Posted by lego2000 in Netherlands, 20 Aug 2010 15:00

Thank you for putting these magazines online. the magazines are very interesting to read.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 15:18

@everyone, you're welcome. They are a fascinating read, aren't they...

Posted by Cardinal Brick in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 15:20

Thanks Huw I'm a tad disappointed that we wont get any of the later ones, I've always wanted to see the ones I missed out on. But it's amazing to read the quality magazine that it use to be, I only have dim memories of it.

Posted by Matesamo in United States, 20 Aug 2010 15:58

The more the better, what a great resource.

Posted by VMLN8R in New Zealand, 20 Aug 2010 16:24

Thanks Huw, these are a great read and wonderfully quaint. I've read everything that's been uploaded. The quality of models sent in is really astounding. I suspect that back then, published models were really the best of the best, whereas today they are just a random bunch of 'bolocs' to please everybody.

As you say, there is a slight dumbing down evident as the years go on, but I'd still love to read anything anyone else has. Thanks again for the inspiring reading.

Posted by natro220 in United States, 20 Aug 2010 16:29

Thanks, Huw! I also am a little sad no further issues will be added, as 1988 was around when I started getting into Lego and it is fun to see the "new" sets highlighted that I now consider crown jewels of my collection (Black Monarch's Castle in 1988 and the Futuron Monorail in 1987 are two examples). I would think 1989 would be interesting seeing the Pirates theme introduced. It's sad that the publication went downhill so much. Thanks so much for posting this, Huw!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 16:31

If one of you guys wants to scan the later issues, I'll be happy to add them. I don't have access to any more at present.

Posted by jamzee44 in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 17:33

Superb Huw - in particular I must say, the Autumn 1983 copy, page 6 features my Planetary Explorer model for which I got my Master Builder badge (of which I still have)!! I have a good few of the Bricks and Pieces newsletters from Autumn 1980 to Summer 1985. What is hard to convey how exciting it was to receive the latest one in the post then and to see some of the new models, David Lyall's models and to be truly inspired by them.

Magical!

Posted by romdam in United States, 20 Aug 2010 18:46

Dumb question but where do I find the scans?

Posted by bluemoose in United Kingdom, 20 Aug 2010 19:02

Click the picture ...

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 20 Aug 2010 19:20

@romdam: Here: http://www.brickset.com/more/ Scroll to the bottom, and you'll find the link!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 21 Aug 2010 03:44

@jamzee44, belated congratulations :-) While looking at the readers' models I wondered how many of the contributors are now AFOLs, clearly one or two of them are :-)

Posted by ickelpete in United Kingdom, 21 Aug 2010 12:05

Huw I have copies of spring 1981 and autumn 1980 as they are only 4 pages each I can scan and send a copy to you if you want let me know what format is prefered.

Posted by SafePit in United States, 21 Aug 2010 15:05

These are great! Thanks for sharing.

Posted by StormSworder in United Kingdom, 23 Aug 2010 18:31

Thanks for uploading. I joined the Lego Club in 1983 and I used to love these magazines. The Captain Indigo cartoon got stupid in 1988 with that Robin Hood thing, but to be honest I think the magazine started going downhill in about 1989 when it just started talking down to kids and being patronising.

Posted by Pobwall in United Kingdom, 24 Aug 2010 07:43

If memory serves me correctly, there was a kid called Ashley Prodgers around this time who used to seem to win loads of competitions and design loads of cool models featured in the magazine and a lego christmas card with a robin featured on it. Does this make sense to anyone else????

Posted by gloriatanmsh in Singapore, 29 Aug 2010 23:50

Thanks for sharing. Really nice read. Lego is relevant in the past and today!

Commenting has ended on this article.