Subject:
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Re: FOTD - Samsonite Era Set #704
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Tue, 5 Nov 2002 06:16:07 GMT
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Viewed:
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426 times
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Mike,
I believe this is the same set as 004 Master Builder set:
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/004
which is listed on one of the flyers you show. In the mid 1960's Samsonite
numbered sets according to the piece count. So this set should have 704 pieces.
Here's a webpage with copies of some of your catalogs:
http://www.chem.sunysb.edu/msl/LEGO/samsonite.html
Some notes on the pieces I see (I know more about pieces than sets):
I've never seen the gear brochure you have.
I haven't seen the 25x25 baseplates either. I have heard of them before.
They make sense cut from the 50x50 baseplates of the period.
The waffle bottom plates should be Cellulose Acetate. If they are ABS, that
would be very interesting.
Are there any yellow or green -plates- in the box? Plates in those colors
were rare at that time. Plates at all are rare in Samsonite sets.
The distribution of the brick colors looks right. Lots of clear by today's
standards, with little black or yellow (and no green). The absence of blue
roof/slope bricks is interesting though. I usually find a few blue slopes in
Sam sets.
The slope peak corner is a nice Samsonite piece which is hard to find. I do
not think Lego has manufactured that piece since. I have only seen it in red
and blue.
Are the white turntables completely round, or do they have facets?
The gears are Samsonite only and are different than the European gears.
It looks like there is, or was, a nylon connector piece (p/n 650) under the
flag. This piece is common in 60's sets, but often shows up in 'mystery
piece' questions.
The trees look like they are dark green. A color difference (blue-green and
bright green) for those trees has been mentioned before, but I've never been
able to get a comparison pic. Also, do the trees/bushes have a flat base, or
do they have 'feet'? My tree gallery shows the difference:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=8643
Careful with the grey tyres. They can stick to the wheel and split if you
try to remove them.
The solid stud cylinders with groove are from this period too.
Some of these parts are pictured on the comparison page in my brickshelf
gallery (link below).
If you don't know, Samsonite was a plastics manufacturer (remember the
luggage?). They had the first license to sell Lego in the US from about
1963-1973. They also had a license to sell Lego in Canada that extended into
the 1980's there. From what I can tell, they made many of the parts here in
the US. Several parts have distinct US/Europe variations. Some of the less
used/more complex parts must have been imported. A set like yours can have
US only parts combined with European imported parts (the mixed stud logos
can be a clue). Also, certain parts/plastics seem to have been used for US
production longer than in Europe (best guess is that the warehouse stocks
were depleted more slowly here). The catalogs don't always help. Dates are
hard to come by, and apparently sets were in release for several years.
Researching Samsonite can be full of surprises.
You have a terrific set there. Unless it has Canadian markings on it, my
guess for the date is late 1960's. Thanks for the pictures and info. I had
never heard of that set before.
Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you wish to discuss things further,
Clark
Visit my Vintage Parts pages, submissions always welcome:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=8642
Looking for a minifig, head, or torso? Try my helper:
http://clarkcorner.home.att.net/VisualMiniHelper.html
Arborist, Lego Color Tree
http://clarkcorner.home.att.net/ColorTree.html
In lugnet.general, Mike Walsh writes:
> I picked up a very old Samsonite set late last week.
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=27882
>
> I have been unable to find out any information on this set. Neither LUGNET
> nor BrickSet have it in their database. I couldn't find any completed eBay
> auctions for it nor any mention of it in LUGNET News. Any of you Samsonsite
> era knowledgeable people know anything about this one?
>
> The bricks in the box are for the most part in very good condition.
> Unfortunately the Danish flag is broken. Other items of interest are three
> 25x25 (yes, 25x25) grey baseplates and the original paperwork.
>
> Mike
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: FOTD - Samsonite Era Set #704
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| Clark - I'll answer some of your questions below, others I don't know the answer to or will have to wait until I get home where I can look at it. Based on the information you provided, I would agree, this is the Samsonite version of 004. Mike "Clark (...) (21 years ago, 5-Nov-02, to lugnet.general)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | FOTD - Samsonite Era Set #704
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| I picked up a very old Samsonite set late last week. (URL) have been unable to find out any information on this set. Neither LUGNET nor BrickSet have it in their database. I couldn't find any completed eBay auctions for it nor any mention of it in (...) (21 years ago, 5-Nov-02, to lugnet.general)
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