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Subject: 
Re: FOTD - Samsonite Era Set #704
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.general
Date: 
Tue, 5 Nov 2002 16:27:39 GMT
Viewed: 
2066 times
  
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 Stephens" <clarkcorner@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:H53Aqv.K39@lugnet.com...
> 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.

They are indeed unusual.  I had to count the studs three times to make sure
it really was an odd number.  I had some of the 50x50 three exit road plates
when I was a kid - they remain missing at this time, I believe they are in
my parents basement somewhere.

> The waffle bottom plates should be Cellulose Acetate. If they are ABS, • that
> would be very interesting.

All of the parts are Cellulose Acetate to the bext of my knowledge.

> 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 only plates in the box are some white plates with the waffle pattern on
the bottom.

> 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.

No blue at all.  A good selection of red though.

> 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.

I have seen pictures of this piece before but never one in person (unless
Frank Filz showed me one becauase I am pretty sure he has a couple).

> Are the white turntables completely round, or do they have facets?

Don't recall, will have to look later tonight.

> 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.

It does have one of the nylon connector pieces.  I remember these from when
I was a kid and they were used as trailer hitches.  The one in this box is
still in tact.

> 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

At first glance the trees seem to be a bluer shade of green than other flat
trees I have.  I still have some from my childhood collection, I'll take a
look tonight and compare them.

> Careful with the grey tyres. They can stick to the wheel and split if you
> try to remove them.

One is already split, the rest are in good shape.  I still have a bunch of
my childhood tires too.

> 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).


[ ... snipped ... ]

> 
> 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.


Thanks - it is neat from a nostalgia perspective.  It very much reminded me
of playing with my first childhood LEGO set which was also a Samsonite set
of similar vintage but I don't know exactly which one.  My grandfather gave
it to me when I was five.

> Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you wish to discuss things • further,
> Clark


[ ... snipped ... ]

Immensely helpful - thanks!

Mike


--
Mike Walsh - mike_walsh at mindspring.com
http://www.ncltc.cc - North Carolina LEGO Train Club
http://www.carolinatrainbuilders.com - Carolina Train Builders
http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=mpw - CTB/Brick Depot



Message is in Reply To:
  Re: FOTD - Samsonite Era Set #704
 
Mike, I believe this is the same set as 004 Master Builder set: (URL) 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 (...) (24 years ago, 5-Nov-02, to lugnet.general)

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