Part One: First time around

One of the longest associations between a toy manufacturer and a private enterprise must be Corgi and the Chipperfield’s family circus. Much has been written in the past on this very popular subject, but no one article has given the collector a definitive listing of all the variations available in the entire collection. This article will hopefully provide the Chipperfield’s collector, old and new, with a basis on which to form their collection or check the items they still need and what better place to publish this knowledge than on this new and enthusiastic web site! It is not the intention to write a history of Corgi or Chipperfield’s, but more to provide the collector and rivet-counter alike, with a checklist to compare and use against their collection, in order to satisfy the quest for knowledge and perfection. To this end the listings in this article will be of use as a reference to what is available.

Starting with the GMC 6 – wheel Crane Truck released in 1960 which sold close to ½ million pieces before withdrawal in 1969. As with the early models you will find the colour red to be lighter in shade until 1964 when a darker red was introduced. The blue contrast colour is also subject to many varying shades throughout the production life. When first issued, the model had a painted tinplate jib and wheels pressed onto the axles; by the time it was withdrawn it had a different box, a chrome-plated jib and free rotating wheels (sometimes reversed on the rear 2 axles). Along with the red /blue colour shades, side by side the variants can look very different.

List 01 catalogue No.1121 Chipperfield’s Circus Crane Truck

The proud crane owner had to wait 3 months before they had a companion for their truck and what a model it was! With no less than 7 hinged or sliding doors, the 1123 Animal Cage came complete with a set of animals and separate transfers to apply to the model to indicate the animal content. Lions and polar bears were first issued, with tigers appearing later. Transfers for brown bears and gorillas have been seen but no animals have ever surfaced to corroborate this. Sales of nearly 400.000 before withdrawal in 1968 indicated the play value of these cages and with the towing hook attached to the rear, a long line of these could be pulled by the young “CIRCUS” operator. The cage itself went through a few production modifications similar to the crane and the variations mainly include the wheels and sliding door.

List 02 Catalogue No.1123 Chipperfields Circus Animal Cage

In the middle of 1961 Corgi issued a gift set to include 1121 Circus Crane along with 1123 Circus Animal Cage. In a long thin lift off lid Major box, this set had comprehensive interior packing to hold the models in place. It should only contain Crane A1 and Cage B1, B2 or B3. Over 100,000 were sold but they are now difficult to find in perfect condition.

List 03 Gift Set 12 Chipperfield’s Circus Set

In 1962 Corgi revamped the Commer Carrier Mobile Shop to become No. 426 Circus Booking Office. This was a very pretty model with its new tinplate interior and colour labels applied to all sides. Apart from colour shade variations the main difference lies with the wheels which can be smooth or shaped. The model has also been noticed with the clown label on the nearside applied in different positions. Just over 130,000 were produced in 2 years of production and today are difficult to find in perfect condition.

List 04 Catalogue No.426 Circus Booking Office

In April 1962 Corgi released the next gift set. More revamps of the existing Land Rover and Platform Trailer castings along with a new plastic elephant and cage heralded the introduction of Gift Set 19. Mounted on a display base and packed in a large end flap box this jewel of a set gave the owners of 1121 crane a real purpose. The plastic cage contained a moulded elephant which could be removed via 2 opening doors and be lifted off and onto the trailer with the aid of the lifting eye on top of the cage. The cage also had metal bars through which the elephant could be seen and came with a label on each side. The Land Rover was initially released with a blue painted tin tilt, but was later replaced with a moulded plastic item. It is worth noting that although the box graphics did not change to show this modification, the interior packing was altered to accommodate the different tilt. The cage was initially moulded in grey plastic, but soon changed to brown. More importantly the elephant should always be a solid PVC moulding and of the correct type, as various spurious animals from other manufacturers can often be found in this set!

List 05 Gift Set No 19 Chipperfield’s Land Rover and Elephant Cage on Trailer

Now Corgi had enough models to produce perhaps the most beautiful of any gift set ever made. Gift Set 23 included the Crane Truck, 2 Animal Cages, Booking Office and the contents of Gift Set 19. Packed in a polystyrene base, the models were covered by a box lid with the most wonderful artwork showing the contents in a typical circus scene. What a set and what play value! Not many of the 75,000 produced have survived and those that have are near mint. There are variations to this and apart from the elephant cage being available in grey or brown, a minor variation is to the Land Rover tilt being either tin or plastic with subtle box base change to suit the larger plastic item. The main variation is the revamp of the entire set in 1964 to include the 503 Giraffe Transporter as a substitute for the withdrawn 426 Booking Office. Whilst the box base was radically altered and included shrink wrapping of the models, the box lid graphics were not altered to show the new contents. The set was withdrawn in 1967.

LList 06 Gift Set No. 23 Chipperfields Circus Set

One month later, the Chipperfield’s Circus Horse Transporter was released. Based on the brand new Bedford TK cab unit this long articulated vehicle contained 6 grey horses with decorative detail which were able to exit or enter the trailer via 3 drop down ramps. The model was fitted to a display base and contained in an end flap box. This model was not withdrawn until 1971 so is probably the longest produced Chipperfield’s model. The only real variations concern the wheel types and three different versions were fitted. Other minor differences occur with the colour of the horse picture label at the rear and later versions of the plastic moulded horses were a gold/brown colour. With no box variations noted, a production run of over 600,000 makes this one of the easier pieces to find. On the mint model there should be cardboard packing around the horses to prevent them rattling around and a white cardboard sleeve should protect the model in its colourful box.

List 07 Catalogue No 1130 Chipperfield’s Circus Horse Transporter

1963 was a poor year for Chipperfield releases, as the only new item released was a kit version of the elephant cage contained in Gift Set 19. Issued in a small lift off lid box, this was a knock down version of the ready built-item, with one important difference. The elephant was a two-piece casting in the same colour as the cage and had to be glued together. Full instructions were given and different labels were included to adorn the sides. Quite a rare piece this as only 43,000 were sold in its four year run. The box has lovely graphics, but do make sure all the pieces are there before purchasing this item.

List 08 Catalogue No. 607 Circus Elephant and Cage

1964 was no better regarding new items with catalogue No. 503 Circus Giraffe Transporter being the only release. A quick scan through the data available to us, shows that Corgi were to release over 30 new models this year and as the existing Chipperfield’s toys were still selling well it was perhaps only necessary to “fan the flames” so to speak, to keep Chipperfield alive.

The Giraffe Transporter was again based on the Bedford TK chassis with a big blue box and drop down ramp attached. This box housed mummy and baby giraffes. The educated collector can spot an original Corgi giraffe at three paces, but the novice must be aware that numerous substitutes can be offered for sale with this model! This was the replacement for the now obsolete Booking Office in the big Gift Set 23 and was another long termer in the catalogues, not being withdrawn until 1971 after sales of nearly 1 million. Relatively easy to find in its end flap box, the model’s only variation concerns the wheels again, being the same three types available on the Horse Transporter. Late in its life, it was issued in a window box and this is difficult to find.

List 09 Catalogue No. 503 Circus Giraffe Transporter

Circus collectors waited over a year for this next release, being the Circus Parade Vehicle based on the original Land Rover Election Vehicle. This model carried a clown with microphone and a companion chimpanzee (often missing). Apart from minor casting variations the only important difference is some early models have a tow hook fitted. Over 300,000 were produced in 4 years, but as with most circus models, it is not easy to find in perfect boxed condition with all the packing.

List 10 Catalogue No. 487 Circus Parade Land Rovers

1965 to 1968 were the best years for Corgi with many new toys and themes being issued and Chipperfield’s items seem to go on the back burner until October 1968, when the 2^nd generation were produced. The 1139 Circus Menagerie Transporter was based on the new Scammell cab unit with a modified trailer casting. Complete with 3 plastic cages and animals it was an impressive toy. In 1969 its crane partner No 1144 was released and was itself an amalgam of previously issued parts suitably modified or repainted.

List 11 Catalogue No. 139 Chipperfield’s Circus Menagerie Transporter

List 12 Catalogue No. 144 Chipperfield’s Circus Crane Truck

As detailed previously, only about 60,000 of both these models were sold indicating the decline in die-cast toy sales generally and both are rare.

Onto 1970 and another release. Catalogue No 511 Chipperfield’s performing poodles was a delightful model beautifully presented in a display box. The vehicle was another revamp based on the Chevrolet Impala Kennel Wagon. In new colours and complete with a lady trainer and 6 poodles on a plastic base, the model would generate sales of over 100,000 before withdrawal in 1971. Statistically that’s a good amount to sell in a year and suspect it was only withdrawn because it would not readily convert to the “Whizzwheel” epidemic contaminating our favourite toys. This is another rarity these days and commands a high price when perfect.

List 13 Catalogue No. 511 Chipperfield’s Performing Poodles

Last but by no means least, is the rarest of all Chipperfield items - Gift Set 21. Released in 1970 and withdrawn 2 years later after sales of only around 20,000, this magnificent set contained the 1144 Crane Truck along with a modified 1139 Menagerie Trailer with front buggy assembly from the earlier 1123 Circus Cage. Complete with 607 elephant and cage with a different hook and plastic simulated bars, the set was contained in a long box with superb graphics and a header card inlay to protect the models. A real rarity and certainly the hardest to find in any condition.

List 14 Gift Set No. 21 Circus Set

There you have it. A small but varied theme collection and one to enjoy collecting and owning.

Read more about Chipperfields in Part 2 in the July Newsletter. In the meantime, take a look at our fantastic range of Chipperfields items we have on offer.