Diecast Collector
Diecast Collector is a British magazine dedicated to the hobby of collecting diecast metal vehicles.[1][2] Published monthly, it is a thick, glossy magazine featuring a variety of articles on toy and model cars, trucks and buses. Beyond information on the collectables themselves, the magazine is also a source of hobby information such as auction results, collectors' fairs schedules, specialized dealer information, etc.[3]
The magazine also issues a yearly price valuation book.[4]
The magazine was founded and edited by Mike Forbes,[5] a well-known collector who formerly edited trucking magazines. Regular contributors have included Malcolm Bates, Mike Pigott, Horace Dunkley, and Andrew Ralston. Popular columns include the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear series by Horace Dunkley, the amusing 'Drive-Past' column by Brian Gower, and regular features on Hot Wheels, Matchbox Superfast and character toys by Mike Pigott. Every issue includes up-to-date news on the model industry, plus reviews of the latest diecast and white metal releases.
Diecast series covered in the magazine include Matchbox, Corgi, Dinky, Hot Wheels, Lone Star Toys, Norev, Ixo, Kenner, Exclusive First Editions, and Johnny Lightning. Articles based on TV, film and comic book character have included Batman, Spider-Man, Looney Tunes, Star Trek, The Magic Roundabout, James Bond, The Simpsons and The Green Hornet.
In October 2007, Diecast Collector celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special issue in which columnists and readers discussed their favourite diecast models from the past decade.
In 2010, Forbes was replaced as editor by Denise Burrows, who also edited companion magazine Collectors' Gazette. Rick Wilson was editor from July 2013 to January 2016, being replaced by Tim Morgan later that year. Rick Wilson returned as editor in September 2018, a position he still holds. During his second stint, Wilson authored and edited the specialist Fast and Fifty publication, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Matchbox Superfast.
Diecast Collector is published monthly by Warners Group Publications[6] of Bourne, Lincolnshire.
Regular contributors
- Mike Pigott
- Andrew Ralston
- John Kinchen
- Roger Wynn
- Paul Bason
- Roger Bailey
- David Boxall
- Chris Sweetman
- John Kinchen (died 2015)[7]
Special offers
In the January 2006 edition, a special offer was included in the magazine offering a model Oxford Mini Van from Oxford Diecast for £1 to cover postage. Demand exceeded the five thousand pieces that were originally produced and an additional one thousand models had to be made to be shipped several months later.[8]
References
- Benn's Media Volume 1. Benn Business Information Services. 1995.
- "Diecast Collector". Collectors Club. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- Ralston, Andrew (2009). Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s: The Collector's Guide. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 124.
- Cradden, John (March 6, 2010). "Value in the attic: long-forgotten items could be worth a few bob". Independent. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- Ralston, Andrew (2007). Plastic Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s: The Collector's Guide. Veloce Publishing Ltd.
- "Warners Group Publication/Diecast Collector". Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- Strange, Paul (May 7, 2016). "A lifetime of Dinky Toys set to go under the hammer in Exmouth". Cranbrook Herald. Exeter. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- "MV005 Diecast Collector Edition 5,000 - OVER REDEMPTION SEE ALSO MV009". Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.