BOX FACTS

SERIES :

Regular Wheels

FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION :

1957

BOX TYPES :

B

SIZES AVAILABLE :

1, 2, 3

TOTAL VARIATIONS :

8

NUMBER OF MAJOR VARIATIONS :

6

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFO

The 5B London Bus has eight different variations, including 6 major ones. The first B1, size 1 box essentially reprise the A type box, while the next one, a B2 available in size 1 and 2, shows a smaller model, but larger numbers. The “BUY MATCHBOX” label would then be added to the fourth variation, oddly made in size 1 and 2 as well, and in B2 and B3 sub types.

The same picture would be used on a size 3, B3 box, so the blue rectangle is visible around it.

Two B4 boxes in size 3 were also available, one showing “BUY MATCHBOX” on the side while the other displays the “PLAYER’S PLEASE” advertisement.

RARITY

The B4 with “BUY MATCHBOX” is less common, but it is hard to tell if other boxes are scarce.

VARIATION LIST

A picture containing red, transport, bus, engine Description automatically generated

RW5B -LONDON BUS

 

 

Front/Back

#

Type/Sub-type

Size

Top/Bottom

End Flap

Variation Name

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5A-BBox5BSize1.jpg

(Same as RW-05B-B1-1a)

1

B1

1

Blue/Black

All blue

RW-05B-B1-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5B-BBoxB2NoDecalSize1Size2.jpg

(Smaller red model, plain side, dark background, taller numbers)

2

B2

A picture containing text Description automatically generated

RW-05B-B1-2a

3

2

RW-05B-B2-2b

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5B-BBoxB2B3Size2.jpg

(Smaller red model, "BUY MATCHBOX SERIES" on side, light background, large numbers)

4

1

RW-05B-B2-3a

5

B3

2

Graphical user interface, application, chat or text message Description automatically generated

RW-05B-B3-3b

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5B-BBoxB3Size3.jpg

(Same as RW-5B-B2-3a, blue square)

6

3

RW-05B-B3-4a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5B-B4 Buy Matchbox.jpg

(Same as RW-5B-B2-3a, stretched to fit size 3 box)

7

B4

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\5B-B4.jpg

RW-05B-B4-5a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\5B-BBoxB4Players.jpg

Smaller red model, "PLAYERS PLEASE" on side, light background, large numbers

8

RW-05B-B4-6a