Vintage set of the week: Large house set
Posted by Huwbot,
This week's vintage set is 4 Large house set, released during 1970. It's one of 4 Minitalia sets produced that year. It contains 233 pieces.
It's owned by 54 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at Brick Owl, BrickLink or eBay.
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26 comments on this article
Compared to that giant, I think this house is rather small.
That first (or last, depending on which way you're going) step is a little high.
What beautiful windows and shutters you've got there.
I think that kid is taunting the Minitalians with the ILLUSION of privacy. The false promise of privacy. The very shutters that protect you can also be used to shatter your window panes!
Number 4 ! wow!
We are in the 5 digits era now.
I did not check if there is a set 1
@Brickeric said:
"Number 4 ! wow!
We are in the 5 digits era now.
I did not check if there is a set 1"
Well, it’s 4-4. Please don’t confuse it with 004 Master Builder Set, 4-2 Promotional Set No. 4 with Carrying Case (Kraft Velveeta), 4-3 Basic Set, or 4-5 Mini-Wheel Model Maker Set 4 (Kraft Velveeta), or 4-6 Mini House and Vehicles
And looking at the picture of 4-2 is a bit confusing, as it contains item no. 7 carrying case
It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!
Genuinely a good model.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
My understanding is that they weren't quite as good, although they did use some piece designs that regular Lego wouldn't make for some time, or (as in the case of the window piece used in, among others, 15-2) never would. More info: https://www.newelementary.com/2017/01/old-bricks-lego-minitalia-italy.html
Those windows with blinds and the doors looked dope. Why don't they include bricks for basic houses like this in the Classic theme?
@MCLegoboy said:
"Compared to that giant, I think this house is rather small."
“What is this: a Minitalia house for -ants-?!”
@MCLegoboy said:
"Compared to that giant, I think this house is rather small."
*angry like/upvote noise
@TheOtherMike said:
" @TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
My understanding is that they weren't quite as good, although they did use some piece designs that regular Lego wouldn't make for some time, or (as in the case of the window piece used in, among others, 15-2) never would. More info: https://www.newelementary.com/2017/01/old-bricks-lego-minitalia-italy.html"
"We made this garbage especially for _you_!"
Yeah, not really top of the list of things you want someone to say to you. Unless your name is Oscar.
@Brickalili said:
" @MCLegoboy said:
"Compared to that giant, I think this house is rather small."
“What is this: a Minitalia house for -ants-?!”"
With the insane cost of housing these days, this might be all the person in the picture can afford. He'd better snatch it up quick, before a rich person or company offers 10% over asking price...
@TheOtherMike said:
"That first (or last, depending on which way you're going) step is a little high."
Look closer....the steps aren't red....
@WizardOfOss said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"That first (or last, depending on which way you're going) step is a little high."
Look closer....the steps aren't red...."
Ah, right, it's a "tripping rail". Not enough for you to fall off the edge, but they have to make sure you land with your face.
Sheer beauty made simple.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"That first (or last, depending on which way you're going) step is a little high."
Look closer....the steps aren't red...."
I used to like sliding down the banister!
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
Considering that this set is from 1970, it would have bricks with the cross support, which were only in production for 2 years before being replaced by a better design.
https://brickset.com/article/130735/bricks-on-display-2-0-the-bricks/
My guess is that you'd be better off with bricks produced by LEGO.
@Galactus said:
" @TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
Considering that this set is from 1970, it would have bricks with the cross support, which were only in production for 2 years before being replaced by a better design.
https://brickset.com/article/130735/bricks-on-display-2-0-the-bricks/
My guess is that you'd be better off with bricks produced by LEGO."
They *were* produced by Lego, though. Lego just used a different design and called them by a different name for whatever reason. According to the New Elementary article I linked to earlier, they also used a little less plastic than standard Lego Bricks.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @Galactus said:
" @TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
Considering that this set is from 1970, it would have bricks with the cross support, which were only in production for 2 years before being replaced by a better design.
https://brickset.com/article/130735/bricks-on-display-2-0-the-bricks/
My guess is that you'd be better off with bricks produced by LEGO."
They *were* produced by Lego, though. Lego just used a different design and called them by a different name for whatever reason. According to the New Elementary article I linked to earlier, they also used a little less plastic than standard Lego Bricks."
I stand corrected. The article I referenced states "Origin: Minitalia S.p.A. – Lainate, Italy. Manufacturer: LEGO System A/S under Minitalia license." which I glanced over to quickly and misremembered.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"It was a good time to be Italian - you had LEGO bricks made just for you!"
Yay!
I love the Minitalia lattice Windows, would work well today and no need for those not so clear inserts. There are 11 windows in https://rebrickable.com/sets/4-4/large-house-set/parts so the hidden side must have 2 on the ground, 3 on first floor but unable to find photo or instructions.
The steps are white with a red wall hence missing red steps at bottom, but strange they didn't add red slopes to make clearer but I guess you get four fingers instead.
Those green roof slopes and lattice fence are pretty rare, but not as rare as the double brick width arch.
Shutters are common in Italy, but lattice windows are not.
@ambr said:
"I love the Minitalia lattice Windows, would work well today and no need for those not so clear inserts. There are 11 windows in https://rebrickable.com/sets/4-4/large-house-set/parts so the hidden side must have 2 on the ground, 3 on first floor but unable to find photo or instructions."
Yeah, I saw those windows for the first time when 15-2 was VSotW, and thought they were pretty cool. If I still MOCed on a regular basis (and if I MOCed buildings, rather than spaceships), I'd probably track som of those down.
@TheOtherMike said:
"they also used a little less plastic than standard Lego Bricks."
And inferior plastic. It was softer, weighed less, scratched easily, sounded insubstantial when it clinked together, and had a matte finish that didn't feel as nice.