Ruby Toys the new kid on the block

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Thu, 02/28/2013 - 16:01

buzzer999

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Ruby Toys the new kid on the block

The Albion Van is the first model to be issued by Ruby Toys, they have chosen to make the models in the style of the old Dinky Toys of the 1950s and early 1960s but will be making vehicles which were not previously modelled by Dinky.

The Albion Van comes in eight different liveries and I chose the â€˜Silver Crossâ€™ Prams version as I used to live near Leeds and frequently went past their factory on the outskirts of Leeds as a child.

The Albion is 115mm (4.5â€) long and 60mm (2.3â€) high making it fractionally higher and slightly shorter than the Dinky Toys Guy Van (Spratts etc). It is supplied in an attractive and very substantial two-part lift-off lid box and comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

The casting is of a very good quality with clear details of doors etc. and very little flashing evident in the windows. On the â€˜Silver Crossâ€™ version the paint on the body is a dark blue and has a high quality gloss finish with decals on either side.

The grooved wheels are reminiscent of the old Dinky Supertoy hubs, painted in a light blue colour and fitted with smooth rubber tyres. The baseplate is of a die-cast construction, rather than tinplate and this additional weight give the model a very substantial feel.

Overall I like this model very much, with its lack of windows, suspension etc., it reminds me very of the Dinky commercial vehicles of the early 1950s and is not unreasonably priced at Â£57.50 plus p&p. I will certainly be buying more of these and look forward to further introductions.

For more information see: http://www.rubytoys.co.uk/

Dave

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 22:26

dinkyfan

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Dave-
From looking at the picture that you posted, they certainly do seem to have a "Dinky look" to them, and it is nice that someone is doing that properly. The Atlas models being issued now are not built that well and are not that solid.
I wonder how many of us prefer the older, 1950's era Dinky's to the newer ones, with suspension and windows? I was only about 15 when that occurred, but I remember being somewhat discouraged then about the new look, and basically quick buying new ones at that time. Even today, I only have a smattering of those late 1950's and early 1960 Dinky's and I just never thought they were quite the same. But I do know and respec those who collect the newer ones....just not for me!

Terry

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 19:50

starni999

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Hi Gents,

I was looking longingly at the advert for these in Diecast Collector a couple of days ago, they really do look good.
Only get one maybe, but which one? They are all really nice.
Sit nicely in size with the Guy van too. Wonder what else they will make if these go well? A 3 way Austin van would be pretty near the top of my wish list, same scale as the Trojan.

The Atlas copies don't look good to me, the paint and finish is all wrong, and they've spoilt some of my favourite CIJ's too!

I only collect Dinky up to '64 as the newer stuff hasn't so much charm to me. I have examples of the later models, but the early models before suspension etc are the only ones I collect in depth.

Chris Warr.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 21:43

buzzer999

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Hi Chris and Terry

I totally agree with everything you say, I bought an Atlas Mini Cooper and it just was not right.

I am in contact with the person behind the Ruby Toys venture and it seems to be going really well, he is to be congratulated on not trying to fit all the bells and whistles on the models and sticking to the old Dinky tradition which I still love - and always will.

Dave

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 05:17

janwerner

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Hi all, it's nice for everyone to have his own view, taste and priorities, and it's very interesting to take notice of that.
For me it's 'Simply Dinky' and nothing that seems or pretends to be a Dinky. The old days are over, fortunately/unfortunately.
At present my main drive for collecting Dinky Toys is interest in history, not nostalgia, and I have to set myself limits in order to keep the collection stable, coherent, well-balanced and transparent. But that's my very personal view of course and I respect (and often admire) every one else's view.
Kind regards, Jan

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 12:01

Richard

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Hi everybody !
I am 100% agree with the opinions of all of you. I am a Dinky Toys collector and, there are so much items missing in my cabinets that I am only concentrated on the good old Dinky range.
For the fun and because I am curious, I started to buy the Atlas production. On their leaflet it was 10/12 items but when I understood that they will never stop, I cancelled my subscription.
So, I have 12/15 items in a cardboard box, somewhere in my granary.
Cheers

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 09:08

jackh

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Hi Dave,
How do they compare with PP Models?
Cordially,
Jacques H.

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 09:26

buzzer999

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Hi Jacques

I don't own anything from PP and I don't remember ever seeing one so I can't make a comment on them, I can only really comment on the comparison with Dinky.

If considered purely on its own merits, the Ruby Toys Albion is absolutely 1940s/50s or very early 1960s - it is simplistic excellence and a wonderful time warp.

I can see a few of you do not appreciate new items but John Hope (Ruby Toys) has not copied Dinky but chosen to introduce items that were never made in Binns Road in a similar fashion to the toys we all know and love. I hope, and think, he will be successful with his venture.

Best regards

Dave

Sat, 01/25/2014 - 18:42

buzzer999

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Here is the second offering from Ruby Toys:

It is a lovely Dennis Brewery Dray with 12 individual barrels, mine is in the livery of Trumans Ale, it is based on the Dennis Pax and a further eight different liveries are available.

This one has the 'Supertoy' wheels with the larger treaded tyres, it is absolutely lovely and very, very faithfull to the old Dinky Supertoys.

Dave

Sun, 01/26/2014 - 00:04

#10

dinkyfan

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Dave
That is very nice, and does seem a very nice compliment to our Supertoys. Is he planning on introducing many more, and am curious how expensive they are to purchase? I have my hands full just trying to keep my Dinky collection going and headed in the right direction, so I have generally avoided dabbling in other models, but it is nice that they are staying true to the Dinky essence that we all love so much.
Terry

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 12:11

#11

buzzer999

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Ruby Toys is run by a man called John Hope who is very approachable. There is a website: http://www.rubytoys.co.uk/

The intention is to produce ten different castings with a number of colour schemes for each casting the price is around Â£60 (â‚¬65) each. I do not expect them to increase in price, I am buying them because I like them and they are intentionally different to the models Dinky produced.

Each of the ten barrels on this is individual.

Dave

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:08

#12

dinkycollect

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These Ruby Toys do look good.

The same idea of Dinky Like but not copies / counterfeits applies to the Imit'Toys made in Andora.

Just Google it.

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:17

#13

buzzer999

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Superb advert Jacques, I could look at it all day and never ever notice the toys!!!!

Dave

Sat, 02/01/2014 - 15:26

#14

dinkycollect

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Sad. :(

I have just had a message from Jean-FranÃ§ois Consille of Imit'Toys, his chalet has burnt with his collection of Dinky Toys and all the tools for the Imit'Toys cars.

This is a good reason for duplicating all interesting documents about Dinky Toys : factory drawings, memos, letters, advertising material etc...

Miss Imit'Toys

Sat, 02/01/2014 - 20:33

#15

buzzer999

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That is such a sobering thought, it must be heartbreaking to go through that.

Dave

Sat, 02/08/2014 - 07:29

#16

Dirk Bloem

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Richard

You mentioned in your post that you can subscribe to ATLAS and that you have 10/12 of them. I have the same but always have to buy from a third party. Is it possible for me to connect to ATLAS as a subscriber like you. Remember I live in South Africa.

As mentioned before this will be run by my son to keep his interrest alive in the model car collection.

Thank you for the advice and hope to hear from you soon.

Dirk Bloem
Potchefstroom
154

Wed, 01/20/2021 - 11:49

#17

fodenway

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Returning to Ruby Toys, I heard from a dealer friend of mine that the proprietor, John Hope, passed away recently. I understand that at present the family have no plans to continue the range or to sell the masters, moulds and stock to anyone else.

Wed, 01/20/2021 - 15:43

#18

janwerner

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Correct, Kevin, an extensive tribute to him and his exquisite Ruby Toys was published in the present February 2021 issue of Diecast Collector (pages 46-47), entitled 'Precious Gems', with photos by Dave Busfield. Kind regards, Jan