1969 Bassett Lowke Catalaogue

1969 Flying Scotsman USA Tour – Commemorative Bassett-Lowke Catalogue.

This hardback commemorative edition of the legendary Bassett-Lowke railway collection was to have heralded a new chapter in the lives of both the company and locomotive 4474 Flying Scotsman. The Basset-Lowke company, primarily a mail order company had been founded by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke in the final years of the nineteenth century. A toy manufacturer specialising in working models of ships and railways, their name became synonymous with design quality and accuracy. Producing live steam trains ranging in size from 5-inch gauge down to 00 gauge. For over 50 years children across the world would pore over the Bassett-Lowke catalogue, those fortunate enough to become locomotive owners, treasured them for decades. But by the 1960’s the company was suffering from the changing trend away from technical toys. Whilst their free catalogue had provided its competitors a means to produce their own cheaper versions of its popular designs.

As the 1960’s approached the Flying Scotsman locomotive was facing its own crossroads. The final days of steam haulage were immanent, a bleak future loomed for this aging legend. Having set two speed records, serving almost 40 years whilst covering over 2 million miles rumours that scrappage would shortly follow its withdrawal from service. Attempts to secure its future began, although the Gresley A3 Preservation Society were unsuccessful, businessman Alan Pegler, made the purchase for £3,000. The locomotive immediately entered Doncaster works for restoration, emerging as a national symbol of the country’s steam legacy. Peglar’s ambitions exceeded UK boarders, thus a transatlantic tour was planned. Hosted by American Southern Railways System, endorsed by both governments and attracting sponsorship deals with several companies, including a reimaged Bassett- Lowke.

This commemorative catalogue runs to 136 pages and was just one component of the company’s publicity offerings. Inside are illustrations of items for sale then and reproductions of earlier adverts going back to 1902.

As Scotsman traversed the states it would carry with it a stand featuring a specially produced 7 ½ inch gauge model of 4-4-0 NYC locomotive, available only to the US market. Together with a 5-inch gauge coal powered model of Rocket and rumours of a similar specification model of the Flying Scotsman its self. Whilst die cast Scotsman models, complete with commemorative stand were to be on sale.

The 1969 tour was an overwhelming success for Peglar and Scotsman, but the decision to undertake a subsequent West Coast tour failed to gain support creating a financial disaster. Bassett-Lowke’s fortunes were not rebuilt by the 1969 tour, the rights reverted to Corgi Toys, who themselves were later assumed by Hornby. Nevertheless, this book marks an integral point within the Scotsman’s legend and legacy.

Each is of a numbered limited edition of 5000 copies.