US LEGO Samsonite (1961-1973)

Samsonite produced and distributed LEGO in the United States from 1961 to 1973, with many exclusive and unique sets sold nowhere else. This section also includes Samsonite's other preschool toys and board games, produced within the same division, as well as Samsonite's Modulex. Due to the immediate aftermath of this venture, much of its history has been distorted and buried rather than preserved.

3 articles· 3,584 words· … images

Releases by Year

- 702 Small Basic Set A complete look at the 702 Small Basic Set.
- 703 Basic Set A complete look at the 703 Basic Set.
- 705 Basic Set A complete look at the 705 Basic Set.
- 708 Basic Set A complete look at the 708 Basic Set
- 711 Basic Set A complete look at the 711 Basic Set.
- 717 Junior Constructor A complete look at the 717 Junior Constructor.
- 725 Town Plan A complete look at the 725 Town Plan.
- Supplemental Packs (1961-1965) A complete look at the supplemental parts packs produced from 1961 to 1965.
- 704, 706, 710 Canister Sets A complete look at all three canister basic sets in one article: 704, 706, 710.
- 605 & 1605 Wheel Toy A complete look at the 605/1605 Wheel Toy.
- 905 & 1905 Doll Set A complete look at the 905 Doll Set.
- 702 Special Introductory Set A complete look at the 702 Special Introductory Set
- 7100 Educational Set A complete look at the 7100 Educational Set.
- 98c Model Maker Cardback Sets A complete look at the 98c Model Maker Cardback Sets.
- 105 Beginner's Set A complete look at the 105 Beginner's Set.
- 610 & 1610 Super Wheel Toy A complete look at the 610 & 1610 Super Wheel Toy
- 750 Educational Set A complete look at the 750 Educational Set.
- 001 Gears A complete look at the 001 Gears.
- 002 Motor Pak A complete look at the 002 Motor Pak.
- 003 Master Mechanic Set A complete look at the 003 Master Mechanic Set.
- 004 Master Builder Set A complete look at the 004 Master Builder Set.
- 005 Discovery Set A complete look at the 005 Discovery Set.
- 021 Wheel Set A complete look at the 021 Wheel Set.
- 022 Doll Furniture A complete look at the 022 Doll Furniture set.
- 041 Beginner's/Pre-School Set A complete look at the 041 Beginner's/Pre-School Set.
- 042 Jumbo Brick Pull Toy A complete look at the 042 Jumbo Brick Pull Toy.
- 93-Piece Set A complete look at the 93-Piece set.
- 120 Basic Set A complete look at the 120-piece Basic Set.
- 205 Basic Set A complete look at the 205-piece Basic Set.
- 285 Basic Set A complete look at the 285-piece Basic Set.
- 375 Basic Set A complete look at the 375 Basic Set.
- 450 Basic Set A complete look at the 450-piece Basic Set.
- 615 Basic Set A complete look at the 615 Basic Set.
- 079 / 799 Baseplate A complete look at all Samsonite plain 50x50 baseplates.
- 151 151-Piece Set A complete look at the 151 151-Piece Set.
- 301 Wheel Set A complete look at the 301 Wheel Set.
- 324 324-Piece Set A complete look at the 324 324-Piece Set.
- 565 565-Piece Set A complete look at the 565 565-Piece Set.
- 695 Bulk Assortment Set A complete look at the 695 Bulk Assortment Set.
- Oxydol Sampler Sets A complete look at the 1966 & 1967 Oxydol sampler sets.
- Supplemental Packs (1966-1968)[EMPTY] A complete look at the supplemental parts packs produced from 1966 to 1968.
- 113 Motorized Train Set A complete look at the 113 Motorized Train Set.
- 315 European Taxie A complete look at the 315 European Taxie.
- 316 Farm Tractor A complete look at the 316 Farm Tractor.
- 317 Truck A complete look at the 317 Truck.
- 319 Truck With Trailer A complete look at the 319 Truck With Trailer.
- 320 Two-Engine Plane A complete look at the 320 Two-Engine Plane.
- 110 Chevron Station A complete look at the 110 Chevron Station.
- 123/127/305 LoveLand Dubl-Fun Block Wagon A complete look at the LoveLand Dubl-Fun Block Wagon.
- 244 Explorer Set A complete look at the 244 Explorer Set.
- 501 LoveLand Carrying Case A complete look at the 501 LoveLand Carrying Case.
- 502 Deluxe Set With Case A complete look at the 502 Deluxe Set With Case.
- 536 Designer Set A complete look at the 536 Designer Set.
- 704 Master Discovery Set A complete look at the 704 Master Discovery Set.
- 835 Advanced Builders Set A complete look at the 835 Advanced Builders Set.
- 321 School Set A complete look at the 321 School Set.
- 060 Jumbo Brick School Set A complete look at the 060 Jumbo Brick School Set.
- Kraft Sets (Late 1968) A complete look at all sets in the late 1968 Kraft promotion.
- 107 Reversible Power Unit A complete look at the 107 Reversible Power Unit.
- 111 Starter Train Set A complete look at the 111 Starter Train Set.
- 116 Deluxe Motorized Train Set A complete look at the 116 Deluxe Motorized Train Set.
- 151, 152, 154, 155 Train Track Supplements A complete look at the 151, 152, 154, 155 Train Track Supplements.
- 223 Adventure Set A complete look at the 223 Adventure Set.
- 310 Motorized Truck Set A complete look at the 310 Motorized Truck Set.
- 329 Antique Car A complete look at the 329 Antique Car.
- 331 Dump Truck A complete look at the 331 Dump Truck.
- 332 Tow Truck A complete look at the 332 Tow Truck.
- 333 Delivery Truck A complete look at the 333 Delivery Truck.
- 334 Semi-Trailer Truck A complete look at the 334 Semi-Trailer Truck
- 335 Transport Truck A complete look at the 335 Transport Truck.
- 340 Railroad Control Tower A complete look at the 340 Railroad Control Tower.
- 341 Warehouse A complete look at the 341 Warehouse.
- 342 Terminal Building A complete look at the 342 Terminal Building.
- 326 Suburban Set A complete look at the 326 Suburban Set.
- 371 Motorized Truck Set A complete look at the 371 Motorized Truck Set.
- E-054 Three Worlds Carrying Case Set A complete look at the Three Worlds exclusive E-054 Carrying Case Set.
- T-014 Jumbo Bricks Set (Three Worlds) A complete look at the Three Worlds exclusive T-014 Jumbo Bricks Set.
- DP60 Jumbo Bricks (Discovery Playthings) A complete look at the DP60 Jumbo Bricks.
- Treasure Chest (with Bonus Truck Model) A complete look at the LEGO Samsonite Treasure Chest, including its bonus 120-piece Truck Model.
- 298 Deluxe Wheel Set A complete look at the 298 Deluxe Wheel Set.
- Kraft Sets (Late 1969) A complete look at all sets in the late 1969 Kraft promotion.
- 044 Jumbo Brick Set A complete look at the 044 Jumbo Brick Set.
- 066 Governor Set A complete look at the 066 Governor Set.
- 080 Ambassador Set A complete look at the 080 Ambassador Set.
- 118 Freight/Passenger Train Set A complete look at the 118 Freight/Passenger Train Set.
- 330 Jeep A complete look at the 330 Jeep.
- 343 Ferry A complete look at the 343 Ferry.
- 842 Town Plan A complete look at the 842 Town Plan.
- 322 Educational Gear Set A complete look at the 322 Educational Gear Set.
- Kraft Sets (Late 1970) A complete look at all sets in the late 1970 Kraft promotion.
- 102 Super Value Set A complete look at the 102 Super Value Set.
- 157 Four Car Auto Transport A complete look at the 157 Four Car Auto Transport.
- 311 Remote Control Car / Truck Set A complete look at the 311 Remote Control Car Set.
- 345 House With Mini-Wheel Car A complete look at the 345 House With Mini-Wheel Car.
- 346 Jumbo Jet A complete look at the 349 Jumbo Jet.
- 347 Fire Station With Mini-Wheel Vehicles A complete look at the 347 Fire Station With Mini-Wheel Vehicles.
- 348 Mini-Wheel Car and Truck Set A complete look at the 348 Mini-Wheel Car and Truck Set.
- 630 Diplomat Set A complete look at the 630 Diplomat Set.
- Modulex by Samsonite A complete look at Modulex by Samsonite.
- Kraft Sets (Late 1971) A complete look at all sets in the late 1971 Kraft promotion.
- LIFE Cereal Promotion Sets A complete look at the LIFE Cereal Promotion Sets.
- 166/167 Extras Parts Kits A complete look at the 166/167 Extras Parts Kits.
- 248 Factory With Conveyor Belt A complete look at the 248 Factory With Conveyor Belt.
- 349 Mini-Wheel Construction Set A complete look at the 349 Mini-Wheel Construction Set.
- 360-363 Model Maker Vehicles A complete look at the 360 Ambulance, 361 Tow Truck, 362 Delivery Van, and 363 Antique Car.
- Kraft Sets (Late 1972) A complete look at the sets from the late 1972 Kraft promotion.
- Del Monte Promotion A complete look at the LEGO Samsonite Del Monte Promotion.
- 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 Imagination "Cube" Sets A complete look a the 101, 102, 103, 104, & 105 Imagination "Cube" Sets.
- 300 Jumbo Bricks A complete look at the 300 Jumbo Bricks Set.
- Sets/Variants That Never Existed Despite what you may see elsewhere, the sets/variants compiled in this article have no evidence of ever being available or sold at retail.
- LEGO Samsonite Institutional/Educational Sets A look at all LEGO Samsonite institutional sets produced for the US.
- Imaginations Inc. Sets A complete look at all known sets offered via Imaginations Inc.

Parts

LoveLand Carrying Case (LEGO Samsonite) A complete look at all variants/colors for the LoveLand Carrying Case.
Part Errors / Non-Production Elements An overview of some part errors from Samsonite's LEGO.
LEGO Samsonite Trays A complete look at the trays used in LEGO Samsonite sets.
- Street Lamps Everything you need to know about LEGO's H0 1:87 scale street lamps.
- Town Plan Boards A complete look at all Samsonite Town Plan Boards.
- Individual 1:87 Cars A complete look at 1:87 vehicle sets available in North America starting in 1964.

Advertising

Promotional Items (US) A complete look at all currently known promotional items produced by Samsonite for the US.
LEGO Cities in North America All known appearances of LEGO city displays in North America, in toy fairs, stores, or elsewhere.
LEGO Samsonite Retailer Models A look at surviving retailer models.
Make-a-Model Contests (1970-1972)[INCMPLTE] Everything you need to know about Samsonite’s Make-a-Model contests.
- Introduction A peek into a largely-forgotten element of Samsonite's approach to advertising.
- 1961 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1961.
- 1962 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1962.
- 1963 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1963.
- 1964 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1964.
- 1965 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1965.
- 1966 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1966.
- 1967 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1967.
- 1968 Newspaper Clippings Any useful/interesting newspaper clippings from North America throughout 1968.

Mfg. Plants or Other Structures

Samsonite Loveland Plant (1965-1972) A complete look at the Samsonite Loveland Plant, in operation from 1965 to 1972.
International Management Systems, Inc (Subsidiary of Samsonite) A complete look at the subsidiary of Samsonite International Management Systems, Inc.

Investigations

Sources/Evidence Where will we be drawing from to make conclusions?
How to Use the Site as a Research Tool While aggregate sources are nice, it becomes difficult to represent all evidence fairly. You can do the digging yourself.
- The Misunderstood 695 Bulk Assortment Set The most misunderstood set of Samsonite's lineup–what's true and what's not?
- Finding the 005 Discovery Set's Release Date Three different years, 1966, 67, and 68 are reported for the 005 set. Which one is correct?
- The 1968 Parade Magazine Promotion A complete look at the 1968 Parade Magazine Promotion.
- When did 022 Doll Furniture Release? 022 Doll Furniture has never been seen in a catalog, newspaper, magazine... nowhere. Without all that, can we still date the set?
- Can We Talk About the 750 and 7100 Education Sets? Usually a small note in Samsonite's history, is there anything we can confirm about these sets?
- All About the 704 Master Discovery Set I want to know not only when this odd set released, but also why it was produced.
- Identifying an Unidentifiable LEGO Set How do you identify an undocumented LEGO Samsonite set?
- What was Three Worlds Inc.? Three Worlds Inc. is a company with no recorded history, not even a Wikipedia page. What can we find out and how do they relate to LEGO?
- What Was Discovery Playthings? While seemingly a simple task, there are many oddities that have waited 60+ years to be discovered...
- The Unknown 905 Doll Set Variant There are two commonly known variants: the standard tall box and the Sears exclusive canister. But what if I told you there was a third?
- Why Do 1972 Cube Sets Have Two Different Boxes? If Samsonite was going to lose the license anyway, why did they change the box art?
- Orgin of Imagination Set Inventories A very detailed guide as to how each set was packed and generally what elements were included.
- Was There a System to Determine a LEGO Set's Inventory? (1961-64) How exactly did Samsonite develop a set's inventory?
- Was There a System to Determine a LEGO Set's Inventory? (1965) How exactly did Samsonite develop the inventories for the 1965 wave?
- Samsonite's License—What's True and What Isn't? The most cited element about Samsonite is its license with LEGO. However, where is this information coming from?
- Why did Samsonite lose the USA LEGO license? An exploration as to why the Samsonite might've lost the LEGO license for the United States, but still kept the license for Canada.
- The Case for a 1962 Release of LEGO in North America Most sources say LEGO released in the US in 1961, and Canada in 1962. But is that really true?
- Kraft Promotion Dates (1968-1972) A complete, evidenced timeline for each wave of the Kraft promotion using Velveeta boxes, newspapers, and the brochures.
- Correcting My Biggest Misconception Twelve of the most well known Samsonite sets are universally cited to have released in 1966. But that's not true.
- Dating Various Mail-Offer Pamphlets To supplement and better compartmentalize future mystery investigations, we'll date them here.
- Dating Samsonite Boxes Ever wanted to know when exactly your set was produced? The box holds several hints.
- Everything About Samsonite Form Numbers Form numbers are the backbone by which all information on this site exists.
- Why Do Some Model Maker Sets Have Two Numbers? Interestingly, some model maker sets feature an alternative number next to their set number, why?
- All Samsonite's Set Numbers Decoded Ever wonder why the 605 Wheel Toy has that number? Or why it's companion, the 905 Doll Set, is set 905?
- Patterns with Exclusive/Catalog Sets Have you ever wondered how the catalog sets worked?
- The Entire History of LEGO By Samsonite - Preface Completely rewritten from the ground up, this is the complete history of LEGO Samsonite.
- The Entire History of LEGO By Samsonite - Historiography How was LEGO Samsonite first researched? What were they working with?
- Was LEGO manufactured in Detroit from 1961-64? The answer is commonly thought as no, but there is significant evidence otherwise.

Miscellaneous

MOCs Personal "My Own Creations" inspired by Samsonite era LEGO models or simply using my collection to make things.
US Patents & Trademarks (Samsonite LEGO and Other Toys) All found patents and trademarks filed by LEGO or Samsonite Corp. in the US between 1961-72.
- Preface What is this and what should I expect?
- Rarity Index The index used to rank any particular set's rarity.
- Postface What have I learned and accomplished through the compilation of this site?
- Beware Sites Like BrickEconomy How can I find out what a particular set is worth? Are online sources trustworthy?
- My Definition of "Exclusive" for LEGO Samsonite While many sets are said to have been exclusives, oftentimes this label has been applied retroactively and hasn't been defined properly.