Over the last few months I've been researching toys with the
diamond brand [pictured below] commonly associated with
J.Rosenthal Toys, who later became JR21/ Century 21 Toys. The brand initials are often described as MB or MR but I prefer to think of them as JR as in Jack Rosenthal. Some were also co-branded with the equally mysterious mark
]$[ [
blogged about before] often written as HS or SH in toy descriptions [
Addendum: HS now identified as Hsi Associated Ltd - see #315 below]. The following JR toys are all new to the blog and have all been tracked down online this year, a few of which now reside in the Moonbase collection. I have double-checked the model numbers from a number of sources.
I personally consider these toys to be pre-JR21 i.e. before the merger with Century 21 in 1965, hence my use of the moniker JR.
I have also recieved some information from the UK National Archives that I had hoped would have categorically linked the diamond JR brand and also the X-Series to Jack Rosenthal Toys, but alas it hasn't. However it is still interesting and does link the toys to UK solicitors/ desigm agents. You can see this information typed-out below under model numbers 232 and 315.
A second list appears mid-way down entitled
'Possible JR Toys'. I don't have enough picture evidence to prove that these actually are JR despite very similar packaging and design. Any help with pictures and model numbers would be greatly appreciated and of course credited. This research adds to the JR21 and Century 21 toys and model numbers already described, with the help of many readers, on this blog and many other Anderson-based sites like Steve's
Vintage Thunderbird Toys.
JR Toys:
232 Space Rocket X-40
National Archives information:
UK Registered Design number 919800
Registered 18th January 1965 as a toy rocket ship
By Lee Wai Po, Of Chinese Nationality, Trading as Ming Tat Plastics Factory, No.8, Sui Lun Street, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
C/O Gill, Jennings & Every, 51-52 Chancery Lane, London, WC2
Copyright expired December 1969
301 Motorcycle Combo
[close-ups of the box new to the blog courtesy of ebayer knucklepanshovle07]
302 Hitch Hiking Bunny
303 Motorbike [it has the same look as 301 and 304
but there is no JR diamond on it's base. Box unknown. JR or not ?]
304 Racing Cyclist
311 Fiat Abarth
315 Comicars
3 variations pictured on one box
[bottom headless 'duck' car unconfirmed as JR. Could be Marx?]
]$[ brand identified below as Hsi:
UK National Archive information:
UK Registered Design number 914614
Registered 31st January 1964 as a toy car
By Hsi Associated Limited, a Company Incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance, Continental Mansion, 3rd Floor, Flat C, 294 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong
C/O Stevens, Langner, Parry & Rollinson, 5-9 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, WC2
Copyright expired December 1968
401 Diligent Porgies
402 Rocking Neddy
courtesy of Bennyinkwell
Rocking Neddy has diamond with JR and HSI logo on box and toy as well as No.402 on box.
406 Piggy Chariot
courtesy of Bennyinkwell
Piggy Chariot has diamond with JR on box and toy as well as No.406 on box.
409 Bunny Family [real name unkown, box unknown]
810 Lotus [box unknown]
Possible JR Toys ?
? rabbit [# 457]
? Animated Bears on Sled
Donkey Cart
courtesy of Bennyinkwell
Addendum: Not JR - Donkey Cart has MM and HSI logo on box and toy, as well as No.42 on box. Reg.Design no.912410. Thanks Bennyinkwell! [NB. MM is Merehall]
? Drummer Dog
? Pup Drummer [courtesy of Bennyinkwell]
? Feasting Pussy
[I used to have this and sold it years ago without knowing it was probably JR!]
? Good Housewife
? Lambcart
? Skiing Clown - unlikely but perhaps
? Squirrel and Rolling Nut
Any further information on any of these or any other toys with the JR [or MB] diamond brand would be greatly appreciated and credited on the blog. Eventually I will merge this information with the other
JR21/ Century 21 Model and
X-Series numbers checklist currently a work in progress on the blog.
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