I'm a huge fan of lesney matchbox. I have a fair collection i also collect tootsietoy, corgi, imply, london and a few other manufactures. matchbox first started in 1953 as an offshoot of a bristish die cast company. their first issue was the Queens coronation coach . one of the original founders ,i think his name was jack odel made a small version of their companies road roller for his daughter to bring to school. she could only bring a toy to school if it could fit into a matchbox.