Belisha Beacon Identification
Belisha Beacons
This article described the types and styles of Belisha Beacons that may be confused or sold as Dinky Toys.
Introduction
Belisha Beacons were named after Leslie Hore-Belisha, who was the Transport Minister in 1934. .
The following image shows a selection of the Belisha Beacons that may be found on sales at Internet Auction Sites, Swap Meets etc. The list is not necessarily exhaustive and the author has some signs which are not included in this image.
This article covers those metal signs manufactured by the UK Meccano Ltd Company, Dinky Toys and other manufacturer’s signs covering British Signs.
Image
The following image shows a selection of Belisha Beacons from major manufactures.
As in all the accessory identification articles the Dinky Toys signs are on the left.
Identification
Firstly, all metal Dinky Toys signs are clearly marked under, “Meccano Dinky Toys, Made in England” (47d, pre war and early post war or 777 later post war).
If a Belisha Beacon is not marked under as Meccano Dinky Toys, it is NOT a Dinky Toy.
Top row from left:
|
Make |
Notes |
|
Dinky Toys |
47d Belisha Beacon., Marked “Meccano Dinky Toys, Made in England” cast underneath. 1935 – 1941 and 1946 – c. 1954). These were renumbered to 777. |
|
BHL (British Home Life) |
Un marked. Very heavy duty construction. Post war. |
|
Britains |
Marked under Britains etc. Issued from c 1936, note grey base. Scarce. Poor example missing paint on the column. |
|
Charbens |
Un-marked. Larger scale note different base to BHL example.. |
|
Gilco (Giltoy Company) |
Post war. Note smaller white base. Two-face lights only. Un-marked. |
|
Kay |
Black square base, unmarked |
|
Kay |
White square base, unmarked |
|
Taylor and Barrett |
Note hexagonal base characteristic of T&B signs. |
|
Timpo (Toy Importers Ltd) |
Marked Timpo England on top of base. Similar Hexagonal base to T&B signs. Post war. |
Second Row from left
|
Make |
Notes |
|
Unidentified |
|
|
Unidentified |
|
|
John Hill & Co (Johillco) |
Large scale pre-war sign in three parts. Marked “Johillco Toy England” under base. Rare, but do not fetch high prices possibly as very ugly. |