Discover the 'secret' LEGO archive on LEGO.com
Posted by CapnRex101,
It is well-known that LEGO maintains an archive of most past products at the LEGO Idea House in Billund. Participants in the LEGO Inside Tour have a chance to visit this archive.
Less familiar to many is a more comprehensive archive located some way outside Billund. I had heard about this in conversation, but had never seen any photos or video of the remote archive until today. A series of videos featuring designers visiting the archive to find sets important to them is available on LEGO.com, by scrolling about half way down this page.
Among the designers featured are Mike Psiaki, Fiorella Groves, Jens Kronvold Frederiksen and Mark Stafford, pictured above. Brickset users often have a strong interest in LEGO history, so I thought some of you might enjoy these videos.
Which set(s) would you be searching for on a visit to the LEGO archive? Let us know in the comments.
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68 comments on this article
Maybe some of the early Space sets? I’d like to see the Aero Tube Hangar in the original packaging.
I would probably look for the sets my uncle played with in the 60s, because while I now have most of the remaining pieces I never saw the instructions (if there even were any back then) or the original packaging.
The two white whale Star Wars sets I wish I’d gotten but was in my Lego dark ages:
75094: Imperial Shuttle Tydirium
75087: Anakin’s Custom Jedi Starfighter :(
@CommandrCody212 said:
"The two white whale Star Wars sets I wish I’d gotten but was in my Lego dark ages:
75094: Imperial Shuttle Tydirium
75087: Anakin’s Custom Jedi Starfighter :("
But... These are only 10 years old. Buy them on Bricklink or Facebook Marketplace and such :)
I'd love to look at the big sets with fronts that opened. Those were always a huge draw at the toy store as a kid, but a small town wouldn't have nearly all of them. It was such a dream opening it to see the details, and the special pieces in the plastic. Plus, the old back of the box builds were so fun.
Classic space sets for sure.
The 2003 Hailfire Droid is still one of the best sets.
On our LIT the LEGO historian told us about this special archive while we were in the "public" archive.
I would look for 1682 Space Shuttle Launch. It was my favorite and biggest set I had as a kid. I looked for it when we were in the "public" archive, but they didn't have one there since it was exclusive to North America, and that archive only had sets released in Europe.
Also, Mike Psiaki is a really cool, funny guy :)
@Ridgeheart said:
"The canceled themes. Seatron, Europa, that kind of thing. Canceled sets. Show us the truth! Storm the archives! Storm the gates!"
Those themes never progressed beyond prototype stage, as far as I know, so there would be no boxes to look at.
@dimc said:"I'd love to look at the big sets with fronts that opened. Those were always a huge draw at the toy store as a kid, but a small town wouldn't have nearly all of them. It was such a dream opening it to see the details, and the special pieces in the plastic. Plus, the old back of the box builds were so fun. "
I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap.
@ricecake: I had 1682. Being the space buff that I was (and still am), I had a lot of fun with that set.
I'm recruiting for some sort of Ocean's eleven heist, somewhere outside Billund. Any volunteers???
@damien said:
"I'm recruiting for some sort of Ocean's eleven heist, somewhere outside Billund. Any volunteers??? "
I'll be your guy in the chair. I also know a hacker, so I could call him up
Classic Technic sets such as 8043 and 42030 (the only Volvo set I don't own!) would definitely be on my list.
@TheOtherMike said:
"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures.
I would really love to see 6584 Extreme Team Challenge. I grew up with that set - love the baseplate, the springy wheels, and that monster truck.
On a side note, thanks for bringing us this information and article Capn. I usually just lurk but it's much appreciated. You write very well!
Any set with the box flap or visible plastic trays would be nice to see in person.
Kind of incredible that no site has picture galleries showing these kinds of boxes from all angles, not even a list with every set that has this style of packaging.
Do we see prototype molds, too?
I enjoyed the Mark Stafford video about his first sets, tribute to the original yellow castle designer, etc.
It was really cool to get a look inside this archive. And to hear the designers tell stories about their first builds. @Huw is there any way to link these videos to the sets on their pages?
Oh man! I started looking through the "unreleased" tag, especially the Creator Sets from 2001-2010, and now I'd love to see the 2004 Designer sets 4033-4037, especially a Designer Set "Space Plane." I likes 4402-1 Sea Riders, so I'd have loved more along those lines. Then I came across 7796, basically a polybag version of 4996, which I have. There are actually instructions for the smaller, one, so I might Bricklink the mini version so I can put it beside the full-size one. And also so I can say I have an unreleased set, by at least some reasoning.
I must be blind....I cant find any videos of designers in the archive at that link....
There are couple of sets come to mind, but I'll go ahead and dare say I'm fine with what I got. Anything I've missed, fuels me not to miss further opportunities.
@Ridgeheart said:
"The canceled themes. Seatron, Europa, that kind of thing. Canceled sets. Show us the truth! Storm the archives! Storm the gates!"
70630
moc hezká série videí! Dýk!
@suckerpunch83 said:
"I must be blind....I cant find any videos of designers in the archive at that link...."
I'm also in canada - the link just brings me to the lego home page?
Edit: had to use the menus to navigate to the "Adults Welcome" section, videos are there
@Ridgeheart said:
"The canceled themes. Seatron, Europa, that kind of thing. Canceled sets. Show us the truth! Storm the archives! Storm the gates!"
"We shall storm the castle!"
Is it a nuclear hardened bunker?
Seems shortsighted to have the designers hold these sets without gloves on. I thought part of the reason for a 2nd secretive archive was to preserve the sets in the best possible condition, since the main archive allows inside tour guests to touch the sets with their bare hands. Overtime, some boxes could see wear due to oils from many hands. Gloves negates this.
@dimc said:" @TheOtherMike said:"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures."
Must be a difference between European and North American packaging.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"The canceled themes. Seatron, Europa, that kind of thing. Canceled sets. Show us the truth! Storm the archives! Storm the gates!"
"We shall storm the castle!""
"Have fun storming the castle!"
@Anonym said:
"Any set with the box flap or visible plastic trays would be nice to see in person.
Kind of incredible that no site has picture galleries showing these kinds of boxes from all angles, not even a list with every set that has this style of packaging."
I saw hq scans on https://www.backoftheboxbuilds.com/ but there are only few sets...
@TheOtherMike said:
" @dimc said:" @TheOtherMike said:"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures."
Must be a difference between European and North American packaging."
I should think so. A friend of mine had almost all of the huge pirate sets of the day, and there never was any lore on the packaging. Actually I only discovered there was supposed to have been any lore when I read about it here on Brickset. It's like with the catalogues where the international versions often had more elaborate text descriptions whereas the German ones at least did not, or to a much lesser extent.
@Anonym said:
"Kind of incredible that no site has picture galleries showing these kinds of boxes from all angles, not even a list with every set that has this style of packaging."
https://brickshelf.com/home.cgi might be a nice place to visit.
A very very nice place if you ask me.
@AustinPowers said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dimc said:" @TheOtherMike said:"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures."
Must be a difference between European and North American packaging."
I should think so. A friend of mine had almost all of the huge pirate sets of the day, and there never was any lore on the packaging. Actually I only discovered there was supposed to have been any lore when I read about it here on Brickset. It's like with the catalogues where the international versions often had more elaborate text descriptions whereas the German ones at least did not, or to a much lesser extent. "
We require stories to accompany our toys.
Those videos are addictive. It helps to perpetuate crazy Lego collecting.
Well, see you guys in the looney bin. ;)
P.S. Always fun to see the head of Lego SW show off his utter lack of Star Wars knowledge. He dosen't know the difference between a Stormtrooper and a Clone Trooper. Maybe, someone needs to fire him or at least sit him down and make him watch the movies.
Props also to the marketing intern/AI who composed the subtitles and refers to the dewback as "the dude back."
Only the Worst is Good Enough!
@Ottozone said:
"Seems shortsighted to have the designers hold these sets without gloves on. I thought part of the reason for a 2nd secretive archive was to preserve the sets in the best possible condition, since the main archive allows inside tour guests to touch the sets with their bare hands. Overtime, some boxes could see wear due to oils from many hands. Gloves negates this. "
This is an interesting point. There probably are sets that can only be handled with gloves or other precautions, but none were used in these videos. Even sealed copies of the older sets shown are quite readily available and LEGO would think nothing of spending a few thousand euros for a mint condition 928 Space Cruiser and Moonbase if necessary.
Also, I believe there is at least one more archive that is purely for preservation, so there are always copies of sets that are basically untouched.
Thanks for sharing this, Huw! fascinating! I'll be looking for early space & castle (1979-ish) and early pirates (1989-ish).
@CapnRex101 said:
"Also, I believe there is at least one more archive that is purely for preservation, so there are always copies of sets that are basically untouched."
I remember the historian saying this too. Basically, for any sets that they have only a single copy of, those are in the super-secret vault. (My wife had studied Library Science and had some archivist classes in her curriculum, so she had an interesting conversation with the historians while I was finding sets in the vault.)
@Agnew said:
" @suckerpunch83 said:
"I must be blind....I cant find any videos of designers in the archive at that link...."
I'm also in canada - the link just brings me to the lego home page?
Edit: had to use the menus to navigate to the "Adults Welcome" section, videos are there"
Looks like the link just goes to the store in some regions. Its the same url. if you navigate by the page menu. Referrall or redirect must not work reliabily.
@Ottozone said:
"Seems shortsighted to have the designers hold these sets without gloves on. I thought part of the reason for a 2nd secretive archive was to preserve the sets in the best possible condition, since the main archive allows inside tour guests to touch the sets with their bare hands. Overtime, some boxes could see wear due to oils from many hands. Gloves negates this. "
We actually sent a list of the sets we wanted to answer the questions with in advance and the sets were waiting for us on a table - we didn't get to explore the vault very much at all or pull other sets from the shelves, though we were shown where each came from and that's where we filmed. We washed our hands before hand and it was very cold that day and the archive was not heated very much, so very little sweating. Probably only the second time a lot of them were handled in a decade after the digitising of the vault. :)
Cheers, Mark.
@Lordmoral said:
"The 2003 Hailfire Droid is still one of the best sets."
Agreed. I have this set. It's just cool, well built, and somewhat unique for a system set as it feels a bit technic. Basically got lucky getting it for cheap when I didn't really know what I was doing early in my Lego collecting back in 2016. I think I paid $40. Surprised it's not more expensive than it is. Most of it is in the cost of the two big wheels. Maybe it has a lot to do with no minifigs. I suspect it may slowly continue to go up over time.
I actually have an extra manual, but no box. Would love to see it in it's original box.
Any System set from the 90s!!!!!
@Keilup said:
" @Lordmoral said:
"The 2003 Hailfire Droid is still one of the best sets."
Agreed. I have this set. It's just cool, well built, and somewhat unique for a system set as it feels a bit technic. Basically got lucky getting it for cheap when I didn't really know what I was doing early in my Lego collecting back in 2016. I think I paid $40. Surprised it's not more expensive than it is. Most of it is in the cost of the two big wheels. Maybe it has a lot to do with no minifigs. I suspect it may slowly continue to go up over time.
I actually have an extra manual, but no box. Would love to see it in it's original box."
It is a Technic set (no system parts). It is awesome.
It hurts me to say those two things simultaneously. Nevertheless, it's true.
https://brickset.com/sets/tag-Technic/theme-Star-Wars
I'd be searching through the notoriously badly catalogued wood-boxed sets, trying to find a match for my one. I've never been able to find a number for it, so I've got no idea what the inventory should be.
I imagine there'd be a lot of other people doing the same thing. Assuming, of course, that TLG have actually archived those wooden-boxed sets. I have a feeling they won't and the mystery of those sets will never be solved!
Galidor or bust
@Sandinista said:
"Galidor or bust"
Galidor *was* a bust.
6079 Dark Forest Fortress as I can I open up the flap and try to see how many sealed bags were in it (as I have one in box that may be complete new in box but seals are broken).
Must…open…them…ALL!!!
@tonkasean said:
"I would really love to see 6584 Extreme Team Challenge. I grew up with that set - love the baseplate, the springy wheels, and that monster truck.
On a side note, thanks for bringing us this information and article Capn. I usually just lurk but it's much appreciated. You write very well!"
Oh man this was one of my favorite sets as a kid!
"Hidden a few miles outside of Billund, Denmark is a secret archive... Only a handful of people know the exact location..."
That sounds like a challenge!
The warehouses in this location - Billund Kommunes Hjælpemiddeldepot i Grindsted - have the same red beams and blue pipes that can be seen in the videos of the LEGO secret archive:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DEAnwoAKsuAKwupo9
And this warehouse has the exact same ceiling:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NTyZvgT9oSoWcA4E9
@Keilup said:
" @Lordmoral said:
"The 2003 Hailfire Droid is still one of the best sets."
Agreed. I have this set. It's just cool, well built, and somewhat unique for a system set as it feels a bit technic. Basically got lucky getting it for cheap when I didn't really know what I was doing early in my Lego collecting back in 2016. I think I paid $40. Surprised it's not more expensive than it is. Most of it is in the cost of the two big wheels. Maybe it has a lot to do with no minifigs. I suspect it may slowly continue to go up over time.
I actually have an extra manual, but no box. Would love to see it in it's original box."
Oh indeed.
An awesome and amazing set for the ages of SW, it even has the scale right.
They must have changed things regarding the archive, because I clearly remember James May going into the "LEGO Vault" and rediscovering the sets from his childhood, and it looked like a dark basement with shelves nowhere near as tall as the ones in the videos.
Also, the boxes of the sets themselves were loose, and weren't packed in a separate box.
Guess they ran out of space there.
Those videos were incredible! I want to see more!
@Alemas said:
"They must have changed things regarding the archive, because I clearly remember James May going into the "LEGO Vault" and rediscovering the sets from his childhood, and it looked like a dark basement with shelves nowhere near as tall as the ones in the videos.
Also, the boxes of the sets themselves were loose, and weren't packed in a separate box.
Guess they ran out of space there."
I haven't seen that video, but he was probably in the "public" (as in, people on the LEGO Inside Tour) vault, which moved from the basement of the LEGO Idea House (which is distinct from the LEGO House) to the first floor (second floor to us Americans) and was commemorated in last year's LEGO Inside Tour set, 4000042 The Vault Memory Lane.
These videos show the secondary vault that is not open to the public.
@ricecake said:
" @Alemas said:
"They must have changed things regarding the archive, because I clearly remember James May going into the "LEGO Vault" and rediscovering the sets from his childhood, and it looked like a dark basement with shelves nowhere near as tall as the ones in the videos.
Also, the boxes of the sets themselves were loose, and weren't packed in a separate box.
Guess they ran out of space there."
I haven't seen that video, but he was probably in the "public" (as in, people on the LEGO Inside Tour) vault, which moved from the basement of the LEGO Idea House (which is distinct from the LEGO House) to the first floor (second floor to us Americans) and was commemorated in last year's LEGO Inside Tour set, 4000042 The Vault Memory Lane.
These videos show the secondary vault that is not open to the public."
Oh I forgot to mention that it was broadcast in late December 2009, so quite a while back.
I rewatched that part, he mentioned that no TV cameras had been allowed before in that vault.
looks very different from the vault i saw on the inside tour back in 2015. really cool to see how it's changed when being moved... assuming this is the same.
Old Castle, Space and Aquazone sets.
@tris said:
"looks very different from the vault i saw on the inside tour back in 2015. really cool to see how it's changed when being moved... assuming this is the same."
No, this is a different vault that isn't open to the public.
I am going on Tour 1 now in March on LIT! It will be fantastic!
I guess I'm the same age as Bjarke and a little older than Jens. I had both the hovercraft 663 and the first technic car 853. What a time to be alive; to witness the birth of technic and all the minifigure themes, city, space and castle.
I would love a photo of the inside flap of all the space, castle, pirate, Technic etc. sets showing alternative build and the pieces under the cellophane. I know this would take forever, but I'm free all summer!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @dimc said:" @TheOtherMike said:"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures."
Must be a difference between European and North American packaging.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"The canceled themes. Seatron, Europa, that kind of thing. Canceled sets. Show us the truth! Storm the archives! Storm the gates!"
"We shall storm the castle!""
"Have fun storming the castle!""
"Think they'll make it?:
"It'd take a miracle."
@Nabii said:
" @Ottozone said:
"Seems shortsighted to have the designers hold these sets without gloves on. I thought part of the reason for a 2nd secretive archive was to preserve the sets in the best possible condition, since the main archive allows inside tour guests to touch the sets with their bare hands. Overtime, some boxes could see wear due to oils from many hands. Gloves negates this. "
We actually sent a list of the sets we wanted to answer the questions with in advance and the sets were waiting for us on a table - we didn't get to explore the vault very much at all or pull other sets from the shelves, though we were shown where each came from and that's where we filmed. We washed our hands before hand and it was very cold that day and the archive was not heated very much, so very little sweating. Probably only the second time a lot of them were handled in a decade after the digitising of the vault. :)
Cheers, Mark."
I've just watched your video, and I must take issue with your statement about Mega Core Magnetizer. It's not just the best Space set, it's the best Lego set. GOAT!
I'd definitely like to see the sealed box of 6494 Time Cruisers Lab again; it was my first "big" Lego set, and my first with the previously-mentioned flap and the pieces being visible within, and there would just be something ever so neat about getting to see that all over again, because it was a pretty epic experience to get such a set, but all those years ago I didn't even think to keep the box intact.
I'd also love to see the two biggest sets from Jungle Adventurers, 5976 River Expedition and 5986 Amazon Ancient Ruins: it was the first Lego theme that I got super-deeply invested in, but I thiiiiink those two sets weren't released in Europe so I never got to so much as see the boxes in person, much less imagine getting them. Would be fantastic to see them both in person.
Also 4990 Rock Raiders HQ. Because Rock Raiders. It's long been a personal favourite theme of mine, and it's be so cool to get to handle the biggest set that was produced for it ^^
It's kinda weird that they would go into the supposedly secret archive and then "find out" some modern sets that are still in stores.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Ottozone said:
"Seems shortsighted to have the designers hold these sets without gloves on. I thought part of the reason for a 2nd secretive archive was to preserve the sets in the best possible condition, since the main archive allows inside tour guests to touch the sets with their bare hands. Overtime, some boxes could see wear due to oils from many hands. Gloves negates this. "
This is an interesting point. There probably are sets that can only be handled with gloves or other precautions, but none were used in these videos. Even sealed copies of the older sets shown are quite readily available and LEGO would think nothing of spending a few thousand euros for a mint condition 928 Space Cruiser and Moonbase if necessary.
Also, I believe there is at least one more archive that is purely for preservation, so there are always copies of sets that are basically untouched."
At least a few times, I've heard of them having to replace sets. The first time, they actually banned visitors from the archive under Ole Kirk's house, because one set went missing and they believed it was a guest who snuck one out while getting a tour (might have been before the LIT program?). The other time was sometime in the past couple years, and I don't remember anything about the circumstances that required replacement.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @dimc said:" @TheOtherMike said:"I loved the fact that Pirate sets big enough to have those had the lore for that particular set under the flap."
I'm sure someone has pieced together all the various bits of lore from boxes, catalogs, comics, etc. I suspect it's not all congruent though, Lego never seemed to keep on top of things like that.
The only old pirate box I have is from 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and there's no lore, just pictures."
Must be a difference between European and North American packaging."
Just found this for reference, showing the open flap without any lore on the German version:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/176896963648
versus the American version with lore:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167238573625
Fascinating.
I wouldn't want to see any of them.
I'd just want to buy one and open it.
Amazing find! Ty!