General Information

The following information has been collected from original newspapers, catalogs, and magazines, some of which are freely available for reference below. The rest can be found in the site’s gallery. No aggregate catalogs (BrickLink, Brickset, etc.) were used.

Advertised Part Count(s): 24 pieces (12 red and 12 white)

The Indianapolis News, December 8th, 1965 (Page 10)

First Year Confirmed Available: 1965 (USA)

I’ve written an extensive article about the 1965 wave in particular.

1969 (Canada)

It seems to have possibly sold in Canada only for 1969 as two 1969 newspapers (both Simpsons-Sears) specifically picture the 041 for sale in Canada:

The Montreal Star, December 4th, 1969 The Toronto Star, September 11th, 1969

Most Likely Retirement Date: 1969 (USA)

As it has been replaced with the 044 Jumbo Bricks which was new for 1969. It makes its final catalog appearance in 1969.

1969 (Canada)

The two above Canadian newspapers are the only confirmed appearance of the 041 in Canada.

Last Year Seen Available: 1969 (USA)

News Register, September 20th, 1969

Aliases: Pre-School Set, LEGO Pre-School Blocks, Beginner's Set

Retail Price(s): $4.95 (USA)

Discounted Example(s): $3.39 (1968), $2.49 (1969)

Rarity Score (Index): 3/7

Known Box/Packing Variants

The set was not likely to have a bilingual version, as the Canadian images we have from the above newspaper (including a unique drawing) show the 1967-68 USA version. If it truly did sell in Canada, I'd assume Samsonite of Canada took over the remaining inventory of 041's as the 044 released in the same year, channeling them through Simpsons-Sears.

Regardless, there are at least four variants of the 041's box. Each can be correlated to a specific year, but I would not say this is definitive.

There are two versions with two patents and the set's name as "Beginner's Set For Pre-School Children" (this was likely for 1965 and 1966, as the name persists with both 1966 idea books):

The 1965 version will have two patents and "Beginner's Set" in yellow:

The 1966 version will have two patents and "Beginner's Set" printed in white:

The 1967 version will have two patents and the set's name as "Pre-School Set" on the front and the side:

The 1968 version will have eight patents and keeps the "Pre-School Set" name:

It is exempt from the "FOR ALL AGES" update as it only ever mentioned "FOR PRE-SCHOOL AGES".

Box/Overview

The 041 Pre-School Set (or Beginner's Set, depending on which version you wish to reference), released in 1965 as part of the "refresh" from the older pre-1965 line. It was essentially the same as the 105 Beginner's Set (which released in 1964 also with 24 jumbo bricks, 12 red and 12 white), only with a 1965+ sleeve/drawer style box.

Of course the 041 also inherited the 105's name and price, only to later change it down the line. After the 1966 season, sometime in early 1967, it was decided to change the name of the set to Pre-School Set. The reason for this is unknown, but it likely had to do with Samsonite's interest in expanding into the toy market with their own designs. Most of which were for pre-school age, including 1967's LoveLand Block Wagon.

Another thought is that even though the 041 always advertised to the pre-school range, the new set's name might've been intended to make that association more clear than "Beginner's Set" did.

Below is a later example, as seen by the eight patents:

box top image

This later version also standardized the box's side (changing the design to be more in line with other 1965-67 sets) and replaced the text on the side with the set name:

And last but not least, the very basic back. As far as I'm aware this is shared between all copies:

Contents

While sealed examples of the set are found with a checkerboard pattern(alternating red/white bricks), knowing Samsonite, the pieces could've come organized a number of ways.

My own copy has them separated by color, but this obviously wouldn't necessarily be how the set was originally:

Historical Examples

Interestingly, as with the 001 Gears and the 002 Motor Pak, the 041 shows a final box alongside many prototype boxes for the 1965 line:

From above, seeing that the 041's box was completed before the rest of the 1965 line, it is reasonable to assume that it was in development before the other sets of the line. This is very important in determining why the 105 Beginner's Set is so rare comparatively, as production on that set could've been cut short. Remember, before Loveland opened in April 1965, Samsonite's Detroit plant closed in 1964, the plant responsible for all USA LEGO packaging.

As the original set number/side box format also do not match the rest of the 1965 line, it is reasonable to think that it was one of the first sets developed for the 1965 line. It more mirrors the European style of boxes in 1965, strangely. It also aligns with pre-1965 Samsonite box designs. Its companion set's mockup, the 042 Jumbo Brick Pull-Toy, also follows the 041's design, but the 042's final box follows the 1965 box designs.

Just something to think about.