1964 Newspaper Clippings
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Note: This article was composed when I was simply gathering evidence for the archive, far before I'd began proper research or committed facts to page. I've left it generally as is, as it is an excellent reflection of my mindset as well as our ground up approach to information on the site, wherein we let the evidence lead us to the conclusion rather than lead the evidence to our conclusion.
Also note this is not nearly all the newspaper clippings we have onsite. The rest can be accessed via the Gallery.
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For the sake of not repeating myself, art from 1961-63 ads are still being used, you'll recognize them below when they appear. Also, a number of clippings relate to a LEGO City model contest, you can find them in the article LEGO Cities in North America where we investigate them.
The Ottawa Citizen, December 15th, 1964. I'll start with a very common one from Canada. Some of the best models I've seen so far, along with confirmation that the Super Wheel Toy(Canada's long box version) released for in time for Christmas of 1964:
Martinsville Bulletin, December 16th, 1964. We'll also get the US version of the 610 out of the way, as it also prominently featured late in the year for 1964. Also note the announcement of the HO scale cars now available in North America:
The Herald, December 7th, 1964. Similar to ad above, but confirmation there were only six available car models:
North Bay Nugget, November 27th, 1964. Another one featuring the US's 610 Super Wheel Toy, but I picked this one out as its a Canadian newspaper!
Hickory Daily Record, November 16th, 1964. This confirms the 1964 release date of the 105 Beginner's Set (as well as a curious "Trial Package" that I strongly suspect is the 702 Special Introductory Set, which we have evidence for in 702 Special Introductory Set):
The Hillsdale Daily News, June 16th, 1964. While on the topic of confirming dates, I only saw one that confirmed the release of the first Model Maker sets. "Cowboy & Pony" is only one of several similar sets.
Philadelphia Daily News, August 27th, 1964. This one provides an inventory and original price of the #400 Wheel Supplement from 1963. Note the wheels in this image are tapered inward, meaning they are incorrectly seated:
The Merrill Daily Herald, November 25th, 1964. Samsonite really got their mileage out of this image from 1961:
The Ogden Standard Examiner December 12th, 1964. Here is a combination of several years' art, note the inclusion of the patent information in the LEGO logo:
The San Bernardino County Sun, November 7th, 1964. Speaking of reused art, this unique art from 1963 only reappeared once this year:
News and Record, November 29th, 1964. This one reused an image of the set lineup, but I included this one as it mentions the existence of a scale model that I do not have an image for:
Grand Forks Herald, December 1st, 1964. This one features an incredibly rare picture of a toy store from 1964, but I'm unsure if any LEGO is in frame. Check it out:
Orlando Evening Star, December 9th, 1964. Another rare image of a model, legitimately likely one of the first instances of studs upside-down construction for the first floor—the windows, the doors, and the base are all at a different stud direction than the top of the building. Why? Who knows. Also note the new in box 708 set and 717 Junior Constructor:
Star Phoenix, December 17th, 1964. Another custom model drawn for Eaton's in Canada. Also note that the 725 set is cited to have traffic signs and people...
The Daily Sentinel, December 23rd, 1964. Departing from ads, this one was among posted letters to Santa Claus in the newspaper:
St. Cloud Times, April 21st, 1964. You may think the above sibling too young for LEGO, but here is a toy store recommending LEGO supplements to infants and children younger than preteens. Oh have times changed. Note the half off price:
The Daily Item, October 29th, 1964. Speaking of discounts, they're a little more common this year:
Columbia Daily Tribune, December 15th, 1964. Another discount:
Waterloo Region Record, October 14th, 1964. In the midst of discounts, there were also several contests with LEGO as prizes. The most interesting is the LEGO set worth $62.50, almost $650 today! The only available set that could fill this slot(remember the 725 Town Plan was only $27.50) is the massive wooden box 750 Educational Set:
The Grand Rapid Press, September 20th, 1964. Acknowledgement/another source to obtain the 702 Special Introductory Set:
The Wichita Eagle, May 4th, 1964. Sorry for the unrelated columns, but this is one of two articles I found that corroborate the existence/retail sale of the Samsonite packet with three bricks in it. Officially called "Sure Cure for Executive Tensions", this name was unknown and has never been mentioned anywhere else since 1964:
Democrat and Chronicle, October 12th, 1964. The next two are more job postings, this time for toy store demonstrations of LEGO in anticipation for the Christmas season:
Press and Sun Bulletin, October 31st, 1964:
There were a number of sales rep postings as well, but they are not included. No reason to bloat the archive with copies of the virtually identical newspaper clippings.
The Montreal Star, May 2nd, 1964. Another example of the LEGO name appearing on an unrelated Samsonite advertisement:
National Post, September 12th, 1964. Lastly, I grabbed this as it might have information we need later:
