Monday, July 6, 2009

Marklin Factory Letter

Märklin Factory Letter - 1956

In 1956, Märklin was still feeling the effects of the Second World War as they had to adapt to the changing environment in Europe. The following letter below was sent from the Märklin factory to a collector in Illinois in the year 1956.



What brings particular interest to this letter and especially its historical resonance, is the following quotation:

"We only possess a very limited number of these old models, as our museum which contained a complete collection of all our manufacture since the beginning of model railroads, has been destroyed during the after-war time."

Many other references and books specifically declare that Märklin facilities remained untouched during World War II and that Märklin continued producing trains and toys shortly after the war ended. Thus, Märklin had to maintain a friendly relationship with allied soldiers in order for them to remain production under the unstable German government and situation. Knowing that many American soldiers would possibly try to prevent this production and manufacture of Märklin's toys, Märklin produced a special "starter set" for American soldiers during and after the war. This set was sold in a plain brown box (red ink was not used) and stamped on the outside with marking numbers. The sets included the correct voltage for US use and contained either an SK 800 or RS 800 locomotive with passenger cars, rolling stock, track, a transformer, and other accessories.

This letter, however, points to a different story that possibly included using Märklin museum models as a form of bribery for whomever attempted to halt Märklin toy and train production during the "after-war time." One must wonder where these early museum examples ended up and how much of the museum was actually "sold off" or "destroyed."

The only piece of information that we can know with absolute certainty is that the Märklin factory stood strong in 1956 as seen in this factory photo which accompanied the letter in a large brown envelope.




Monday, November 10, 2008

Marklin Stop Website

Hello everyone,

The Marklin Stop website has been updated!

Currently, almost all items have been uploaded and are for sale.

Link to Marklin Stop: Vintage Marklin Collectors

Items include:

R700A R 700 A
SLR700 SLR 700
352 J
HS 800
351
353
354
1950 Pricelist
SK 800
RS 800
F 800
and many more!

Thanks for looking!

Monday, August 4, 2008

New Website

Hello everyone,

As previously stated below, I have been working on creating a new website. The one listed below was simply a test run.

The new website in its final state is located at:

Trains Marklin VINTAGE Marklin Stop


Please feel free to visit and view the items listed.

Thanks!

William

Some items for sale currently on the website:

TT 800
F 800
CM 800
RS 800
ME 70 12920
HR 66 12920
SK 800
Catalog 1953
Christies catalogs
Pricelists 1950's

Friday, July 4, 2008

Marklin Spielzeug Website

Website is coming soon!

William

Friday, May 23, 2008

S 873/1 Set S870 Torpedo Locomotive

The S873/1 set was produced for a very limited time in 1953. This set seen here has the production run on the box as follows: "YN 1253 j - S 873/1 - 100/5". This number is seen on the inside cover of the lid of the box, printed on the instruction sheet. This set normally would include 327/2 ROT (red) cars (2 per set) along with several pieces of curved track specially designed for the clockwork locomotive. The S870 locomotive was the first and only HO scale clockwork locomotive that Marklin produced. The original key is not often seen in sets available today, but was used to wind up the locomotive springs for running. These keys are hard to find in today's market.
Thanks,
W













Wednesday, May 21, 2008


Sunday, May 4, 2008

New Logo for Marklin Site

Aufmerksamkeit Internationale Käufer:

Ich werde bald eine Website haben die verfügbar ist in der deutschen Sprache. Weitere Informationen werden in Zukunft aufgestellt werden. Vielen Dank. W

Introducing the new site logo! It will be featured in the new site for antique Marklin.
W