This book covers model kit development during the 1950s and 1960s as well as the collectability of these kits and the current value of some. It gives the reader what to look for and to look out for when delving into the world of kit collecting.

By default all model builders become kit collectors in some shape or fashion. Many of us buy more than we will build to ensure that we have that kit or marking set on hand. Or to be certain with some of the short run or resin kits that we don’t miss out on a subject. But for many they seek to build a collection of kits never to be built but amassed like others do with comic books, autographs. Militaria and the like!

The book is broken down into nine chapters. Beginning with a rundown of all the major and minor model kit companies of the 1950s-60s and ending with kit collecting dos and don'ts. Some will be familiar, like Hawk, Monogram, Revel, Allyn, Aurora, Renwal. Some less so such as Stalco, Swadar, Gladen, KMT and Palmer. The author discusses the history of each and the various mergers that took place. These are broken down by location as most companies were located in three regions; Southern California, Chicago area and New York/New Jersey! With the rest scattered from Tennessee to Wisconsin.

Chapter Two discusses the reasons for collecting. The strongest of which the author believes is the connection to the warm, loving memories we have for the (in this case) kits of youth!

Chapter Three discusses the use of box art to spur sales. As the author says “If the box looks good, it goes home with the kid”! Here as throughout the book we are treated to beautiful color pictures of box art and the ads used by the kit companies to promote their products.

Chapter Four is a collection of musings by various collectors discussing what their favorite hobby shop means to them. Their stories really hit home and any person in the hobby can understand these feelings and connection to a place and time. Most of those discussed and pictured were not familiar to me but the photo of Colonial Photo and Hobby in Orlando was familiar due to the many stops there even today when visiting WDW!

Chapter Five discusses some of the most desirable collector’s items, the gift sets! These were produced in lower numbers than single kits and command high prices in mint condition today.

Chapter Six deals with rockets and space vehicles both the real and the imagined. Again as these were often produced in less numbers they are ever increasing in value. The missile kits are exceptionally rare as they were not big sellers and thus less produced with prices literally soaring to the stratosphere! For example a Geobra V-2 would cost you around $800 or the Strombecker Walt Disney RM-1 Rocketship valued at $500!

Chapter Seven discusses the rarest of the rare kits. Some of these are the Hawk Vickers Viscount or Convair 880 with Northeast Airline decals that were only available via a mail-in card found in the seatback pouch on Northeast flights! The Strombecker Sea Dart and the Revell local promotion kit of the Lockheed Electra in markings of the LA Dodgers which may be one of the rarest of all! Did you know that there were model kits of the Taylor Aerocar or the Fairchild XC-120? Neither did I until this book!! The former was produced by Gladen and the latter by Swadar!

Chapter Eight goes into the various foreign manufacturers. Frog, Airfix, Heller, Artiplast, Nitto, Sanwa, Marusan and many, many more are covered for their contributions to our hobby and its extension of kit collecting.

Chapter Nine gives a short tutorial in pricing and tips for those entering into the hobby of kit collecting! Here we are given advice on determining value, condition and what to look out for and avoid.

This is a very good book! For those who were around and building models in the 1950s and 1960s, this will be a walk down memory lane to the times of your childhood. For those like myself who did not start building until the 1970’s it is a wonderful look back at what came before! The real joy of this book is the many color photos of box tops and ads in all their glory! It was great to see even in pictures many of the kits I have only heard about. If you are a modeler you will want this book for the early history of our hobby and the numerous pictures. The kit collector will want it for all of the information regarding condition, rarity and pricing as well as inspiration for starting a new quest for a previously unknown kit. All will want for the photos. To have in one handy volume all of this box art is invaluable. I strongly recommend this book to all! The book is available through Specialty Press at the website above or by calling 1-800-895-4585. There is a $6.95 shipping and handling charge added to each order.

Our thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity!