The final range of Paint-by-Number kits from Bachmann was the Americana series, which first appeared in the 1963 Paint-by-Number catalogue.
This was by far the smallest, and shortest-lived, series made by Bachmann. There were just three kits announced, all of which were produced, and no further additions to the range. They were introduced even as the other ranges were beginning to be cut back.
I have not seen a 1964 catalogue, but the line had been dropped by the time the 1965 edition appeared, just leaving the Bird, Dog, and Animal kits. It seems they have never been re-issued.
All depicted humorous human subjects, and featured scenes of life in small-town America, in the style of a Norman Rockwell painting.
They were again snap-together kits in the usual Bachmann style, and were moulded in the same pinkish plastic. These kits had more parts than usual, and the side of the box actually states 'Not Recommended for Pre-school Children'. All had a scenic base appropriate to the subject. Paints, brushes, and a bottle of Bachmann Styrene Painting Fluid and Glue were included, along with Paint-by-Number instructions.
The kits came in boxes with lift-off lids, which carried a photograph of the completed model. All sold for the same price, $1.98, and were numbered in the 6000 series.
6000-198 Fisher Boy
A boy and his dog are returning home from a successful fishing trip, and walking past a NO FISHING sign. There is also a rabbit hiding beneath the tree stump.
6001-198 Bowlers
An elderly gentleman seems perplexed by the bowling style of his female companion.
6002-198 Junior League
Two boys and an adult Umpire are playing baseball - or at least discussing the rules.
The box top describes these as 'Humorous and Exciting Scenes', and 'Scenes in Full Dimension'. The catalogue stating that the kits are intended 'for the whole family'.
Bachmann did not extend their Paint-by-Number line any further, and over the next few years more and more kits were retired, until the line was dropped completely in the late 1960s.
In the 1970s and 1980s some of the kits were re-issued, mainly the smaller Birds, but the larger and more expensive kits have not been seen since the 1960s.
Six photographs all from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Wow! I have NEVER seen this line of kits! If I didn’t see them in front of my eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. Dimensional Norman Rockwell scenes! Too bad they were too weird (or too hard to paint perhaps?) for the consumer. Great detective work! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThank you. There are a lot of short-lived kit lines that have been almost forgotten today. Some by major companies, others by firms that only produced a handful of kits before dropping out of the kit business. But all are pieces of modelling history, and (in the words of The History Guy from You Tube) deserve to be remembered.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that many just lacked the excitement of a fighter plane, famous battleship, or roaring sports car. No excitement = no sales.
I love these models I must say. Its hard to capture art in plastic. Rockwell's America is endearing and they've done a good job making models of his work.
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