Hartland Miscellaneous Catalog Ads
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| Besides the literature created by Hartland Plastics, quite a bit of additional literate has been turning up in catalogs we never knew existed! They hold some valuable clues about the dating and variations as you will see below. Wherever possible, I have created a small thumbnail on this page which is linked to a much larger and clearer photo. Additionally, check out the specific Christmas Catalogs on the Literature and Ads page. Companies such as Sears, Pennys, and Wards will have their own pages. |
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  1954 October Playthings Magazine:
This ad was placed by the Hercules Powder Company in one of the largest trade magazines of the time. The company was promoting the use of their cellulose acetate in Hartland's line of horse and rider sets. The two sets are the brown and blue Cowboy and the red and white Cowgirl. These sets were also shown in the Western Horseman ads at about the same time.
Click Here to view a larger photo.
Thanks to Bruce Schwartz for the photo!
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1956 Janney, Semple, Hill & Co. Catalog:
This is a grouping of early sets. Actually, the three columns on the left are from one page and the two columns on the right are from the following page. Click on any of the photos above to view a larger image. The two most noteworthy pieces in this grouping are Dale Evans, listed as having a red and white outfit, and the Lone Ranger on Silver with a silver martingale and bridle. Neither Turf King nor O’Rourke were given names in this catalog. |
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1958 Rothman Wholesale Catalog:
This is one of the brightest and cleanest color catalog photo I have seen! This one give a clue as to when Hartland switched Earp to the horse with white stockings, but it appears to still have silver pistols.
Click here or the photo to view a larger image
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1957 National-Porges Co Catalog:
As mentioned above, Earp originally had a solid brown horse. The Lone Ranger was still being shown with a Champ style silver, but the others were correct for their time.
Click here or the photo to view a larger image
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1957 Minnesota Wholesalers, Inc Catalog:
I noticed a caption in the catalog that indicated the prices in the book were good for one year. In this case, the figures in the catalog would have been the 1956 sets, and it probably the case on quite a few wholesaler catalogs. The two sets in the lower right were created by the Breyer company. Of special interest here is the group of three Trigger, Silver, and Black Beauty. The horse is shown with the earlier wavy tailed walking mold—the same as found in a few of the known Trigger boxed sets. I have seen the three horses listed in one or two later catalogs, but this is the first time I have actually seen one in a catalog or brochure!
Click on any photo above to view a larger image.
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1958 Wyeth Company (wholesaler):
This is a very interesting catalog sheet showing the 801-Cowboy was still available at late as June of that year. It also lists Trigger, Black Beauty, and Silver as horses available individually. |
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1960 Wildest Westerns #1:. This is the rare premiere issue, dated May, 1960. The advertisement was placed by General Productions.
All of the Gunfighters except Hollister are shown here. This is one of the only ads I have ever seen showing a lamp, and this one lists the normal four variations.
Click here or the photo to view a larger image
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1960 Wildest Westerns #2 & #3:
This ad appeared in both #2 and #3, with only the page number different. The lamps were not listed here, making way to show different sets than the earlier magazine. About the only oddity here, is Jefford’s horse, showing it with three white stockings and one with black stockings.
Click here or the photo to view a larger image
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1956 Ad for Toy Fair in Toys & Novelties Magazine:
This ad appeared in one of the popular trade magazines of the time. It introduces a few new figures at the top, including Wyatt Earp on “Cactus”. This is the first time I have ever seen that name. Later dealer sheets identify the horse as Tombstone. Davy Crockett is missing here, though he was probably still in production for a Feb. 1956 Toy Fair. It is apparent they were selling Trigger, Silver, and Black Beauty as separate pieces by early 1956, though they never appear in the brochures that way. |
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March, 1959 Toys and Novelties:
1961,At this point, Hartland Plastics was in full production of their western sets. This ad confirms Masterson as being the last Gunfighter, also obvious by following the brochures. |
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March, 1961 Toys and Novelties:
By 1961, Hartland made the definite change of direction and introduced their new line of mini horse and riders. Later in the year, many of the 800 series sets were discontinued and the line-up started dwindling. |
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c1959 Wholesale Catalog Sheet. Unknown source. |
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1959 Geo. Worthington Wholesale Catalog
Click on either sheet to view a larger image |
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 This group appeared in two different catalogs in 1958
1958 S. Buchsbaum Wholesale
and
1958 General Merchandise Catalog
Not many early catalogs identified the manufacturer, nor included the company logos.
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Text & Photographs Copyright Mike Jackson 1998-2009
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This page last modified Thursday, October 18, 2007
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