Hi all,

Doing a little research into these for an article and I know some members here will have examples.

They are very distinctive, first released in 1957, and various versions were available until 1972.

Note that these are quite a specific style, not to be confused with any other similar signs or posters.

In the Sales Aids catalogues (Werbehilfen) these are referred to as "Foto-Plakate" (57-59) or "Lichtdruck-Plakate" from 1960.

The English catalogues refer them as "Radiant-print Posters" however for consistency I am referring to these as "Placards" to distinguish from the many other styles of posters and as a nod to the shared origins of the word.

1957 - 59 the dimensions were 40.3 x 29.5, the first two featured the 3021 and 3005. These were a 3-colour process.

From 1960 they changed to a 5-colour printing process and the new dimensions were 40 x 30 (12 x 16"). The background is a pastel colour with just the MÄRKLIN logo and the item.

I'm particularly interested in the variation between the early 3-colour and improved 5-colour process differences and how obvious they might be. It seems only the 3021 was produced in both.

The construction method has the printed image (on card) folded over at the edges and glued onto a cardboard support backing.

Attached to the backing is a fold-out stand to enable the sign to be free-standing, or via a small hole at top to attach nylon for hanging from the ceiling.

I have two examples of these myself, the 3075 and 3094. In total there are 20 - 25 different examples that I have identified, plus a couple of Metal-baukasten examples also)

They look great in any train room and large quantities were printed, so, who has any examples and can post clear photos? (front and rear if possible).




The rear support...




Here's an example page from the 1968 dealer "Publicity Aids" catalogue



Thanks in advance

Edited by user 25 March 2024 20:06:45(UTC)  | Reason: Typos

Thanks Dave,

Most of those are not the actual Placards I'm looking for. I suspect they are enlargements of other images, ie postcards.

For the purpose of my article, I'm limiting my search in relation to only those items found in the Advertising catalogues, and, photos of originals where possible (those with the stands attached at the rear), and confirmation of the dimensions.

I started a list of the ones that were not matches, quickly realised it was a shorter list of the ones that ARE correct

Only the V200 and the Cl 44 690 are correct.

Distinguishing features are

1: None of the original Plakards has a white background for the MÄRKLIN logo

2: The position of the MÄRKLIN logo on the image

3: Size. The class 23 (#3) is actually a large poster, not a Placard (which are all 30 x 40).

But.... top marks for effort. As much as anything it will help confirm which of the various examples people has were actual dealer items, and which are reproductions of other items, such as the smaller postcards.

It's also entirely possible that Märklin made changes during the availability period of these, however I've generally found the advertising catalogues to be generally accurate when it comes to items like this.

Once I have sufficient examples for validation, there may be enough information to determine where the 'also-rans' fit into Märklins promotional strategy and help to identify them.

Cheers

1966...? let's hope it turns up one day, that's quite a rare one, 1958 & 59 only and is one I have not yet found a colour image of.

Thanks Åke :-)

OK, no more responses so I'll move on to the next one in the series for the 3021 V200.

This was also first released in 1957, and is the only other Placard for that year. But... there are several versions of this print just to keep things interesting.

Here is the first edition which is in the early tri-colour printing, the three colours being the Loco itself, B&W, the pastel background, and of course the red MÄRKLIN Logo.

Added SJ Loco placard now found

Moving forward into the 60's, there are now 4 placards in the program.

The previous 3005 & 3030/3018 are withdrawn, and three new models added. And all are now printed using a 5-colour system.

The 3021 V200 is the only model carried over and being in colour the placard receives a new catalogue reference, changing from 19131 to 19133

Shown here from the Werbehilfen catalogue



And an image of the new placard...

Edited by user 26 April 2024 08:34:10(UTC)  | Reason: Typo