Games & Recreation

Diecasting companies, which number in the hundreds, manufacture scale models of all kinds of real-size vehicles such as cars, trucks, trains, boats and airplanes. From their beginnings in the early 20th century, these companies have designed finely crafted replicas that are collected by enthusiasts of various ages and backgrounds all over the world. Collectors enjoy expanding their compilations by carefully identifying and purchasing either the hottest new release or a hard-to-find, limited-edition replica.

One of the earliest, most popular diecasting companies is ERTL, which is well-known for its models of John Deere and International Harvesters farm toys. Hot Wheels and Matchbox are both famous for producing thousands of high-quality diecast cars. Tootsietoys is famous for producing the first diecast toys in 1910, several years after founder Charles Dowst observed the process of Line-O-Type, a new machine used in the production of printing newspapers.

Limited Editions from Diecasting Companies
When collectors seek a limited edition scale model, they usually expect to pay top dollar for these rare pieces. Limited editions are releases that the diecast company has predetermined the number of copies that will be produced. When the that number of pieces has been produced, the company destroys the mold to make sure no other replicas can be created.

Other sometimes hard-to-find replicas are considered out of production. When current stock on a particular release is depleted, diecasting companies will discontinue its production, making it available only in the secondary market. Since the mold is not destroyed, the company can reissue the release at any time in the identical format as the previous models.