LEGO Samsonite Era Catalogs

Prior to 1973 LEGO building blocks were marketed in the USA by the Samsonite Corporation out of the home base in Colorado. Their catalogs and brochures give a fascinating view of the LEGO product line of the 1960s and early 1970s. The dates are approximate since no copyright dates are given. I wish to thank Bill Katz for the loan of the following brochures and catalogs.

  • Early 60s brochures. These small flyers illustrate the available "gift boxes". They range from the 702 Basic set at $1.95 to the 725 Town Plan set at $25.00. The inside of the brochures illustrate the supplementary parts packages at $0.50 each. For your $0.50 you could buy 20 standard 2x4 bricks, 10 4x8 base plates, 13 doors, a set of 33 curved bricks, or many other equally interesting assortments. With individual parts so cheap, it is interesting to speculate upon the number of parts in the $25.00 Town Plan set.
    Brochure 1 View 1 , View 2 , View 3
    Brochure 2 View 1 , View 2 , View 3

  • Mid 60s brochure. This small flyer shows a new line of sets now with numbers corresponding to the number of pieces in the set. The smallest set No 120. is said to be "the perfect starter set. . . builds simple houses, boats cranes, etc. The largest set No. 615, " in two storage trays. Makes giant crane or super locomotive with both large and small wheels, double- tower cathedral." Featured in this flyer are a new gears set and a new motor pack.
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  • Late 60s catalogs. These two catalogs seem to have been released into consecutive years. The first 10 pages of each illustrate the line in a very general way. Featured are preschool LEGOs, wheels, a beautiful yellow and red castle, gears and motors, and an impressive blue railed train layout. The later pages list specific sets. The earlier catalog introduces Model Maker sets. The first specific model sets to appear. Many nice trucks, a tractor, a plane, an antique car, a jeep, a train ferry, and three train oriented buildings are included. One page is devoted to the one available blue railed train set. The second catalog has only couple of changes. A motorized remote control unit is described. A couple of new Model Maker sets, a house, a jumbo jet, a set of 6-mini wheel vehicles and a fire station.
    Catalog 1 View 1 , View 2 , View 3 , View 4 , View 5 , View 6 , View 7 , View 8
    Catalog 2 View 1 , View 2

  • Early 70s Catalog. The early 70s were kind of the dark ages for LEGO in the USA. The Samsonite offerings were reduced to just a few basic sets in exotic containers.
    View 1 , View 2 , View 3 , View 4

  • Finally it is 1973 and LEGO Systems, Inc. arrive in Connecticut. The first true LEGO brochure in the USA announces a line of basic sets, DUPLO models and a variety of individual models. The individual models include the 410 Payloader, the 420 Police Car, the 450 Fork Lift, the 460 Rescue Unit, the 540 Swiss Villa, the 545 Conveyer Station, the 560 Police Station Heliport, the 570 Fire House, the 710 Wrecker with Car, the 730 Steam Shovel with Carrier and the 900 motor set.
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    • Joe Lauher - SUNY Stony Brook

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