Box Sets

These are completed sets of all known boxes that I have acquired so far in the Yesteryear Range.

I would appreciate if you let me know of any that I have not included on the chart

For some collectors, the acquisition of the boxes is as much a challenge as the collecting of the models themselves. There are some superb period graphics especially on the middle box ranges. As far as difficulty goes, most collectors agree that the Y2-1  'B' Type Bus in the D1 box is one of the hardest to acquire but I would apply this to the Y3-1 Tram with the side on view and full roof in the D1 as well.

The A Box	The B Box	The C Box	The D1 Box
There are only the first 9 models in this range, the start of Yesteryears	The range now increases to 11 boxes but 14 models are in the range. Numbers 5,6 and 7 are missing from this range.	There were 15 boxes in this group and 15 models in the range. We still have not got to the number 16	The range of models finally makes it to 16 but the range of box variants increases to 24, the biggest range of boxes. One of the hardest boxes to find, Y2 is in this range

The D2 Box	The D3 Box	The E Box	The E1 Box
There are only 15 boxes in this range. Number Y14 does not exist. This is reputed to be the hardest set to collect but I'm not so sure as some D1 types are fairly rare	Still 16 models in the range  but Y3 and Y13 are missing, so only 14 boxes to collect	Still the 16 model range and a swap to the 2nd. series makes the boxes 16 but no Y9 appears at all. The Y3 and Y13 can have the 'Matchbox' logo on the end flaps or not.	16 models and the Y12 does not appear as well as a couple of others. Only 15 boxes

The F Box	The G Box	The Hg Box	The Hw Box
There are 21 in this range all up but still only 16 models in the range	Only 15 variations on this box type. Model type Y2 has not been seen. This is the last time that there are only 16 models in the range	For the first time the range increases to 17 models but there are still 19 boxes to acquire	Last set before the change to the huge 'Straw' type box range and 22 boxes to collect

BLISTER PACKS

Released in the USA were the type known as 'Blister Packs' These were enclosed in a plastic bubble and sealed onto a backing card with a description of the model. It made them easier to hang up for display purposes and I know of four separate types. The first has the standard Pink & Yellow (F type) box and the other has a red backing card but is essentially an 'E' or E1 version in a blister pack, the last is just a blister with no box included. This range is very hard to acquire and I do not know all the variants available as yet and would appreciate any input.

	The Pink & Yellow 'F' Type (Courtesy of Kay Schaber)
E2 ?	The red Carded 'E' & 'E1'Type The back of the card shows a 1966 catalogue on both these so presume issued that year. I have seen numbers 9, 10, 14, 16 so far and these are the only two I own.
F1 ?	Sub - category I (plain blue & yellow backing card) of the F type box There are two backing card types to the Pink & Yellow version  On this range I have seen evidence of the following Y numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
F2 ?	Sub - category II (Pictorial backing card) of the F type box Is this a first or second issue and reversed with the following. But P & Y was issued 1968 onwards so must predate the plain blister version.   So far I have only seen numbers 2, 5, 9
F3?	The plain blister pack with no box attached. Shows as new 'Superfast' and 'Steer -N - Go' on the rear so presume issued 1970 On this range I have seen numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Do you think the blister packs should be afforded a separate code? They are basically the same version as the E, E1 and F range but with the addition of a card to hang them for display. This does not relate to the last version though, without a box so basically a separate box range altogether. Perhaps the red blister card type would be E2 followed by the  Pink & Yellow as F1 and F2 then the plain blister as F3. I presume this by the release of the contained box types but may be wrong on issue dates. I would appreciate any information on these packs.

BOX RARITY DISCOVERY

I have just discovered this Yesteryear box. I have never seen this before in all my years of collecting and am presently gathering information on it. It appears to be made under special license for the Japanese market. It shows a picture of what looks like a  Ford model T but contains a Y14 Maxwell and the model has a ring of cardboard round it for protection. Will update as soon as I can.

MORE BOX  DISCOVERIES

Thanks to Matthias Kremer, who has found the following two box versions on the Pink & Yellow box types

As can be seen, there is a difference in the text under the MATCHBOX and model description. Thanks very much Matthias for this observation. After checking  all Pink & Yellow boxes with other collectors, we have now found 4 different types on the Pink/Yellow boxes. 

Here is the list of variants on Pink & Yellow boxes (F Type) found so far.

 

Text below 'MATCHBOX' and the model description
TYPE 1	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 2	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD----------LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO.LTD. LONDON ENGLAND ----- MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 3	"MATCHBOX" REGD. T.M. G.B. AND ABROAD-----------MATCHBOX IS THE REGD  T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND-----MADE IN ENGLAND
TYPE 4	"MATCHBOX" AND "YESTERYEAR" ARE THE REGD  T.M. OF LESNEY PRODUCTS & CO. LTD. LONDON ENGLAND  (Note: This version also has the small "R" sign on the box top following "Yesteryear")

This is the list so far. I would appreciate if anyone else has anymore to add to this chart. I would like to again thank Matthias Kremer for his input on this list.

New model denotes a new issue that wasn't out in a previous E1 box.

F TYPE BOX

G TYPE BOX

(Please note there are 2 lower print types on these boxes, either thin or bold, thick script)