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Canadian LEGO sets from 1962 until circa 1990 would be worth more than
comparable sets sold in other markets if they were more well known.
Here's an example.... the London Bus Set... known as 760 London Bus in the USA,
and 384 London Bus in Canada and Europe/Australia. However... the boxes of
Europe/Australia are quite different, and not as rare as those bilingual boxes
from Canada (middle)...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/11409334173/sizes/l
Here's the famous Yellow Castle Set.. 375/6075. It was sold as 6075 in the USA,
and as 375 in Europe/Australia and Canada. But the Canadian 375 version (not
shown here) would again have different packaging with English/French writing,
along with a parts count (like USA sets have). Any Canadian 375 set would
definitely be more valuable than a European or USA set...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/11409154283/sizes/l
One of the more interesting sets was the 858 Auto Engine early Technic Set. It
was introduced in 1980 in the USA under the 8858 number, and in Canada and
Australia under the 858 number... but never introduced in Europe. The Canadian
version of this set is very rare (strangely enough it came with the USA 8858
instructions).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/16115540681/sizes/o/
Also Canada liked to do things differently than other countries... such as not
number multipacks.... here are 2 examples... not found elsewhere...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/11821345774/sizes/l
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/11765928634/sizes/l
And then there are other things unique to Canada, such as this, the very first
Space Poster... from 1979.... #001...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/12646315265/sizes/l
And then there a set that has yet to ever be found... the 750 Educational Set
(also sold in the USA) of 1963-66... here's a promotional Canadian flyer for
this still unknown set (no examples exist in the Billund Vault)... but one of
you lucky Canadians is going to find one of these in some dusty attic
somewhere.... the only Canadian wooden box set...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/8232132292/sizes/l
Or find rare Canadian versions of these USA Samsonite sets of the late 1960s....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/15847465427/sizes/l
And then there's these rare beauties from the 1960s... I call this "Poetry in
LEGO"... the 3 largest sizes are from Canada, the 2 smaller ones from Britain...
spare parts pack boxes with a picture of the contents on the side of the
boxes....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/istokg/9114197622/sizes/l
Or these Canadian spare parts packs, sold in this type of box or with these set
numbers nowhere else... with the 442 Decorator Set being the only known source
of the very valuable Canadian Maple Leaf wavy (non-stickered) flag (introduced
in 1968, only 3 years after the Maple Leaf flag replaced the red Dominion
Flag)...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/istokg/5245514305/sizes/l
What really piqued my interest in Canadian sets and their value among LEGO sets
was an event that happened about 5 years ago. I saw the USA version of the
1963-66 Samsonite LEGO "Double Wheel Toy" locomotive set... sell for $18 as a
tall box set on USA Ebay...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/16491935880/sizes/l
Then a short time later I saw the Canadian version of the 610 set, which comes
in a long box instead of a tall one... go up for auction on USA Ebay... and it
sold for $343!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/82930629@N08/16491921310/sizes/o/
So there is definitely a reason for Canadian sets to be identified, since they
are probably only 1/10 as common as the same USA sets!
The history of LEGO in Canada is unique, and needs to be told.... so I'm trying
my hardest to do so.
But if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated. :) Thank you!!
Cheers,
Gary Istok
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Hi neighbors to the north (well for me that would be neighbors to the east,
since I live just 10 miles from the Canadian border north of Detroit)...
I have been working on putting together an entire set history and LEGO
development history of LEGO in Canada to add to my next version of my Unofficial
LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors Guide, which is now only a Computer Desktop download
(over 668MB of data).
I am also compiling a reference list of all Canadian LEGO catalogs from the
first one of 1962, until the last one of 1994 (before merger with the USA
catalog).
I've had a very generous donation of the scans of all Canadian catalogs from
1976 until the last one in 1994, and also have those from 1962-65... but am
looking for those from 1966-75. My goal is to post them all online as a
reference guide for all you neighbors to the north.
There's a good for this... of all the different regions in the world where LEGO
sets were produced, (the largest ones being continental Europe,
UK/Ireland/Australia, and USA)... the Canadian region was the smallest, and the
sets were uniquely bilingual during the 1962-94 era. When you factor in the
fact that the Canadian market was smaller than the other 3 major markets, this
makes sets from Canada more valuable and therefore more desirable to own...
except the rest of the world doesn't quite know enough about that just yet! ;-)
Samsonite of Canada was the producer of LEGO sets from 1962 until 1988.
In 1986 TLG bought the license back once the Beatrice Corporation (owner of
Samsonite since 1973) was dismantled and Samsonite was spun off as an
independent company once again... but without the LEGO license... which TLG
bought back. However the Startford Ontario plant continued to produce LEGO
sets for TLG until Oct. 1988, when production was moved to Enfield
Connecticut, and the remaining factory supply of LEGO was bagged up and sold
off to a closeout sale when 3,000 folks showed up at the Samsonite plant.
Besides getting all the Canadian catalogs together, I'm trying to identify those
sets that WERE produced in Canada... all the online databases and the Fantasia
Book generally lump all of Canadian LEGO under a "North American" heading... and
that is not often the case.
Also, I am trying to piece together all the pieces of the puzzle about LEGO in
Canada, such as sets not produced elsewhere (and there were a few), as well, as
uniquely packaged sets and in a few rare instances, parts not produced
elsewhere.
I'm trying to get this all together for my next update to my Unofficial LEGO
Sets/Parts Collectors Guide (desktop download)... which is has gone from a 1000
page CD 8 years ago, to a 2800 page DVD or download 2 years ago... and is now
heading for a 3500 page download in a few months.
If any of my Canadian friends can help me in this, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Gary Istok
P.S. If you already own my DVD or download... all future updates are going to
be free. If you have one of my older CDs... give me a holler... "I've got
such a deal!" ;)
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Happy Canada Day everyone!
To make it Lego related: my friend and co-builder John will be doing our
annual sit-by-our-Legoslature-model this afternoon here in Edmonton. In
the evening, folks are coming over to my place to watch the annual
fireworks show from my balcony. This year we also get the grand
introduction of the fancy new lights on the High Level Bridge.
Hmm. Does that mean we have to add such lights (about 50,000 of them,
according to the news) to our model of the bridge? Please say no!!
--
- Chris Gray (NALUG)
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While shopping today at my local Walmart, which seems to be carrying less and
less Lego all the time, I happened to notice a few Lego sales.
The speed boat with motor was reduced by 20 dollars.
As well as reduced prices for the Alpha Team sets, and a few other random sets.
May be worth a look.
And for those of you with younger kids on your holiday shopping list, all of the
Jack Stone Pirate sets were also reduced by 10 to 20 dollars depending on the
size of the set.
Janey "Red Brick"
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Hello Everyone,
Just a reminder...... ONLY TWO WEEKS ......
left to enter the JLUG moc building Contest.
The contest ends the end of this month. So far we have 33 entries, with some
very outstanding MOCs making a showing. We are looking forward to a flurry of
more entries during these next two weeks. Remember this contest is open to
everyone, and you do not have to register for JLUG to participate. You can just
email your entry at contestREMOVETHIS@jlug.net if you so choose.
Guidelines and Prizes
Entries so far
Deadline * April 30th *
Original post detailing the contest
here.
Janey Red Brick
c/o JLUG
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In lugnet.org.ca, Samarth Moray wrote:
Lets just say, some are more chatty than others, wink.
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Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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Personal note: JLUG is by far the coolest thing thats happened (to me, at
least) since MOCPages. The people are nice, the atmosphere is informal, and
overall its just a great place to hang out at. Thanks for this great service
Janey.
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Thank you Legoswami,
While I am fully aware that Lugnet is the main event (meaning the perfect and
best place to discuss all of the important issues, events, and all things
building), and JLUG is the after hours club (meaning social, silly and sometimes
immature) it truly is not some people’s “cup of tea”. Having said that, I am
glad it’s a place some have found comfortable and relaxed enough to shoot the
“breeze”. Thanks for the kind words, and for being such an active member.
What people choose to make of it, will truly be what it is, and many members
already have made it a place I like to hang out in.
Unrelated but worth a mention.
Since in recent posts here, the JLUG has been mentioned, I offer this private
note....
I really appreciate Lugnet, and this hobby is greater for the commitment and
contributions Lugnet puts forth, and always will have my respect and my support.
The JLUG has a different audience than Lugnet, that was by design. Our only
intention for the JLUG is/was to have a casual gathering place for those wanting
to have fun and informal chats about anything that interests them, especially
reaching out to those that do not have the luxury of the camaraderie, that being
active in a local LUG affords.
We are also fully aware that the “no moderation, no censorship with allowed
profanity” was a thrill for some to just cut loose, and to a large degree, we
have already seen that moment pass as we thought it would.
Of course, there will always be a percentage of posts that really are for shock
value, but I stand by my comments that I have said to anyone asking me privately
“Is this too much? Would this be pushing some invisible boundary?” From day
one, my comment has always been “It is your name beside the post, you live with
the consequences.”
As I posted there just yesterday “IMO, this hobby is full of amazing and
talented builders, and I respect most of them. With that respect, I hand off the
power to them, they can say what they want, and certainly can defend themselves
without me sticking my nose into it.”
Janey “Red Brick”
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In lugnet.org.ca, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
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Well it has been just under a month since the JLUG has
gone online.
Pleased to see such great response so far, with over 70 members, over 1200
posts (of course, most of them are mine and a few other bull horns, wink),
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Mees is a BULLHORN?! :-P
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Thanks to all of you that have come out.
Just a reminder, you now have less than 2 months to enter to win one of
prizes, contests ends the end of April.
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Eh, I’ll get around to things... plenty of time ;-)
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Good luck to all that have entered so far, and looking forward to seeing some
new entries.
Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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Personal note: JLUG is by far the coolest thing thats happened (to me, at least)
since MOCPages. The people are nice, the atmosphere is informal, and overall its
just a great place to hang out at. Thanks for this great service Janey.
Legoswami
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Well it has been just under a month since the JLUG has
gone online.
Pleased to see such great response so far, with over 70 members, over 1200 posts
(of course, most of them are mine and a few other bull horns, wink), and 12
entries in the contest, things are moving along well.
Thanks to all of you that have come out.
Just a reminder, you now have less than 2 months to enter to win one of prizes,
contests ends the end of April.
You can check out the contest/prize information here, and see who has entered so far, here.
Good luck to all that have entered so far, and looking forward to seeing some
new entries.
Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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> In lugnet.technic, Vineet Honkan wrote:
> > Hello all-
> >
> > Is there anyone who knows if there are any Lego Technic events in Canada aside
> > from RTL Toronto? Thanks.
>
> Um... EXACTLY what does this have to do with technic? x-post to .ca.
Actually, unlike many of Vs posts it does seem to be posted to the correct place,
and contains the correct subject. He IS asking about Technic events, and, there are
Technic builders from all over, in this group.
Too bad I don't have an answer for his question.
Steve
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In lugnet.technic, Vineet Honkan wrote:
> Hello all-
>
> Is there anyone who knows if there are any Lego Technic events in Canada aside
> from RTL Toronto? Thanks.
Um... EXACTLY what does this have to do with technic? x-post to .ca.
Legoswami Samarth
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In lugnet.org.ca, Jude Beaudin wrote:
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JLUG rocks!!!
Great job Jayne.
Jude
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Thanks Jude, It’s been fun, and we have had a great response over the first
week. Glad you came out to hang, drop back anytime.
Oh btw, I am expecting some greatness out of you for the contest.
Jayne “Red Brick”
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JLUG rocks!!!
Great job Jayne.
Jude
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In lugnet.org.ca, Darrell Urbien wrote:
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In lugnet.build.contests, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
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Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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Hi Janey,
Nice site! One question tho -
Considering the color scheme, the healthy use of the letter ‘J’, and the big
banner at the top (which looks really “Rising Sun” to me), I thought JLUG was
a Japanese LUG.
Are you turning Japanese? ^)
Darrell
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LOL! Oh no, now I have that song by the Vapours stuck in my head.
I must explain that poor logo...
See, mlcad and I, are just becoming friends, and well, I didnt want to be too
forward with him and push my luck with actually snotting out a mapleleaf. So
when I (eventually) get it done, the logo will be replaced with something that
looks more like a leaf and less like a circle (hopefully).
Janey “Yep, that’s my excuse, Red Brick”
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In lugnet.build.contests, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
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Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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Hi Janey,
Nice site! One question tho -
Considering the color scheme, the healthy use of the letter ‘J’, and the big
banner at the top (which looks really “Rising Sun” to me), I thought JLUG was a
Japanese LUG.
Are you turning Japanese? ^)
Darrell
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In lugnet.org, Samarth Moray wrote:
snip
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Yeah, I saw that screen later after I decided to sign up for the forums. I
may get the ‘follow the spirit of the law not the letter’ speech after saying
this, but I will: Two Dictionary.com definitions for mature are ‘mature for
one’s age’ and ‘mature as in for adults.’ I’m assuming what you meant in the
FAQ is somewhere inbetween. I noticed that Andy ‘Blue brick’ has signed up,
and IIRC, you mentioned his age somewhere as bieng around 14? So I gladly
joined :-D Thanks for the clarification. I guess it’s good that you guys have
stayed away from all those ToS, ToU etc. It does make everything
complicated.
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snip
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.org sounds like it. But Lar’s reply says .ca is fine too, and I suppose he’s
right since he’s an admin and knows more than me about this matter. Anyway,
maybe it’s no something worth worrying *unduly* about. (although I felt I
should bring it up) The point is the site looks great, starting off, and all
set to become another hub for the Lego community. Thanks again. And yay!
Regards,
Legoswami Samarth
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Thank you very much. It’s been a ton of fun so far, and I am very pleased with
the response we have had in such a short time. I will stick with lugnet.org.ca
(as Lar suggested) for the time being, (and if traffic warrants in a few weeks,
we will request .jlug). Btw, you are correct, Andy Blue Brick, is 14 (for a few
more weeks anyway) and happens to be my son, (as well Alexander Green Brick).
Thankfully that will be our total contribution for the “family membership plan”.
Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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In lugnet.org.ca, Christian Holden wrote:
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In lugnet.build.contests, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
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... we are starting the “party” with an
open contest with prizes.
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One thing that is not entirely clear from the contest rules: Must the MOC be
a real, physical MOC or can it be computer generated?
Christian Holden
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Hi Christian,
Yes, in the spirit of keeping it open to as many people as possible both real
MOCs as well as computer generated are welcomed.
I have amended the contest information to be
more clear...
The line, “You are only limited by your own time, bricks and creativity” has now
been changed to “You are only limited by your own time, bricks (or computer
generating/cading skills) and creativity.”
Hope that clears it up.
Janey “Red Brick”
c/o the JLUG
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In lugnet.build.contests, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
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... we are starting the “party” with an
open contest with prizes.
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One thing that is not entirely clear from the contest rules: Must the MOC be a
real, physical MOC or can it be computer generated?
Christian Holden
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