The manufacturer of the Marklin replica boxes was (or still is?) an Italian company called Gaudenzi. Meanwhile, Marklin has apparently taken legal steps against the production of this interesting stuff.

However, at least here in Switzerland a distributor still exists who regularly sells the stuff at flea markets/swap meets. Because the business is probably not entirely legitimate, no names and addresses can be provided. But, if you look at the following link, you might find an interesting bit of information at the bottom of the page... :-) Good luck!

http://hoshi.homeunix.ne...gsuch=Bologna&lsuch=*

Well, the story is probably that Marklin's legal department is very active (perhaps too active...?) when they sense any kind of infringement of Marklin's trade marks, etc. They are reputed to have even intervened against Internet domains containing the name Marklin (for instance, as a hypothetical example, www.marklinfriends.com). Since the replica boxes do show the former Marklin trade mark (what else? :-)) and all other typical elements of the real stuff, the holder of the rights is likely entitled to stop any unauthorized reproduction of the boxes.

Marklin might make quite a good deal if they maintained their own department that would legally sell replica boxes, perhaps distinguished by some kind of stamp (inside) indicating that the boxes are not actually old.

My Father collected trains in the past, he loved Lionel, and this topic was very hot at one time. The boxes were very, very similar but not exact. If i remember corectly the coloring was off just a little. Its funny how this starrted in our Marklin world also. I guess history repeats.

Very interesting.....

I have never heard or seen that they do not come with staples. It would be a good way to tell a replika from an original though and maybe is now required.

I have never seen a replica on ebay.com but here are a few on ebay.de:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Roter...WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.de/Maerk...WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Both of these have staples. The trained eye (anyone who has seen a real box before) can easily tell they are replicas.

I would see no use in owning a replica (especially since they aren't cheap). They have no value to a collector.

The reason I brought this topic up was out of pure curiosity. I was wondering how they were manufactured. The paper is so unusual because it is like a thin but strong cardboard. I would imagine the red design was printed in sheets then cut and stapled then the label was glued on. Very fascinating!

Thanks,
Bill

Hi.
I'm really surprised about this. I have bought sometimes replika boxes from Mr. Gaudenzi (he lives and works in my city). His boxes are wonderful and give more "taste" to every collection!
I really can't understand why maerklin should oppose it, since these productions have been discontinued... there are some companies that produce spare parts for older locos (TTN, RItter, Sehling)... it seems to me it's the same thing!
Regards,
Pietro

Those clowns better care about the crappy quality [xx(][xx(][xx(]
of that (€300 !!!) Harry Potter starter set they sold to my Grandkids.
In contrary to some surely nice replica boxes <u>that's</u> an item never deserving the M logo ...

And no - I don't want any cash back. But for each of those junk sets sold
M oughta give €100 to some non-profit health care organisation for children ...

Wow, I found this 5 years sleeping topic.
But it is still actual.
The Italian Gaudenzi replika or repro boxes are still traded, see here: link counterfeit box Ebay
Scary, I cann't see the difference.
Here some Ebay photos of the counterfeit aka replika aka repro box 3023.

And another one....same Italian shop... embty phony "replika" box sold today for € 92
This must should be a "good business".