When I originally started reviewing Marx toys I only had four lined up for review but between then and now I’ve collected a few more which will extend my Marx series for the next few reviews. Up until now all of the toys I reviewed were from Marx’s 1961 second series mold group, PL-1083.
Type: Oldies
Review: Protoceratops (Starlux)
Review and photographs by Loon, edited by Suspsy
I know what you’re all thinking: “Another Protoceratops review by Loon? It must be a day that ends in ‘y’!” This time it’s the one from Starlux, which is around 40 years old.
Being made in the 1970s, it’d be incredibly unfair to judge this figure by modern scientific standards; what kind of idiot would do that?
Review: Woolly Mammoth (Marx)
Why is a requirement that every line of toy dinosaurs includes the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)? Even if said company otherwise ignores extinct mammals there is almost always a woolly mammoth and this is especially true with vintage companies. In the case of Marx there are only 3 mammals, but one of them is a mammoth.
Review: Smilodon (Marx)
In addition to a diverse assortment of dinosaurs Marx also produced quite a few other prehistoric animals. Some, like the Dimetrodon and Pteranodon were obvious additions to the line; others like the Cynognathus are more surprising additions. Marx also produced three Pleistocene mammals (not counting the cave men) and you could probably guess what at least two of them were.
Review: Parasaurolophus (Marx)
Review: Styracosaurus (Marx)
It’s no secret, finding subjects to review for the DTB has become somewhat of a challenge over the last several years. Nearly every figure by all the major players has been reviewed or has a review in the works; Safari Ltd., Carnegie, Papo, CollectA, PNSO, Battat, Invicta, Tyco, and the list goes on.
Review: Mastodonsaurus (Starlux)
In spite of the discoveries since Starlux closed down, I feel that the old line could be fantastically varied in comparison to some modern line, producing vast numbers of species, not just familiar dinosaurs, but those that existed alongside them. Here, for example, the giant amphibian Mastodonsaurus from the late Triassic, which reached lengths of 13-20 feet long.
Review: Set of Dinosaurs by Linde
Right to begin with, yes, three figures by Linde are already thoroughly represented on this blog, the Tyrannosaurus, Sphenacodon and Dimetrodon. But for the sake of completeness I include those three in this review aswell.
“Linde” is a brand name for a coffee surrogate produced from grain and chicory.
Review: Dimetrodon (Sell Rite Gifts)
For antique dinosaur collectors it doesn’t get much more vintage than Sell Rite Gifts (SRG) and their metal prehistoric animals. Produced in 1947 and into the 1950’s these are certainly among the very first mass produced dinosaur collectibles. Other classic companies were around during this time as well, like Starlux and Marx, but they wouldn’t be producing prehistoric animals until the 50’s and 60’s.
Review: Moschops, Sphenacodon, Cynognathus (Marx)
Given that I counted correctly, this here will be my 50th review for the DTB. On the search for a worthy entry for that occasion, I deceided to add some figures to my collection that will provide the chance to combine the jubilee with a premiere cause to my big surprise I found that the American company Marx, despite its significance for our hobby, has not a single entry on the blog as of yet….
Review: Euoplocephalus (Starlux)
Review: Glyptodon (Starlux)
The 70’s Glyptodon by Starlux is an interesting reproduction of an animal that had a curved and armored carapace which would have made nodosaurids and ankylosaurids proud. It is a strange toy. It has no articulation but it is able to be played with. It has some nice details but lacks finish.
Review: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Starlux)
Review: Psittacosaurus (Starlux)
Starlux began in France, in 1945, producing small miniatures of soldiers and animals. In the late sixties and early seventies several launches were done of various prehistoric mammals, dinosaurs, and other animals, as well as prehistoric man.
The set is composed of 85 prehistoric animals and 13 prehistoric humans.