BAYKO Retail Cabinets - Contents

Retail Cabinets were used by BAYKO retailers both to contain stocks of spare parts and to attract the attention of 'pocket money savers' to them!
BAYKO retail cabinet
There isn't a lot of information available to explain the contents of Retail Cabinets so I'll have to rely on an assumption of common sense...
...parts were stocked in the proportions that Plimpton, and later MECCANO, expected them to sell!
If that's the case, judging by the disproportionate residual shop stocks of Side Bricks and Side Windows that I've acquired over the years, they didn't always get it right!
The contents will have varied over time, not least because the range of parts available changed over the years!
The very first one is significant in that it refers to the number of parts in a box and the number of boxes in "The BAYKO Spare Parts Box", forming a logical approach which, I strongly suspect, remained unchanged throughout.
Below there are contents list for eight different BAYKO periods, with some useful information from the MECCANO era as well...
 
 
1934 to 1938? - "BAYKO Spare Parts Box"
PART
BOXES
No. in Box
PART
BOXES
No. in Box
BASE
1
3
PLATFORM
1
4
LARGE ROOF
  
2
LARGE FLOORS
  
2
SMALL ROOF
  
1
SMALL FLOORS
  
2
WHITE BRICKS
12
30
TURRET FLOORS
  
4
RED BRICKS
12
30
WHITE PILLARS
4
6
HALF WHITE BRICKS
8
36
CONNECTORS
1
8
RED CORNERS
6
8
SCREWS AND NUTS
  
24
WHITE CORNERS
6
8
WIRES - 8b
1
8 doz.
GREEN WINDOWS
4
8
WIRES - 7b
1
8 doz.
GREEN DOORS
2
6
WIRES - 6b
1
8 doz.
CANOPY
1
6
WIRES - 5b
1
8 doz.
RED CHIMNEY
1
6
WIRES - 4b
1
4 doz.
RED ARCHES
2
6
WIRES - 3b
1
4 doz.
RIGHT STEPS
1
4
WIRES - 2b
1
4 doz.
LEFT STEPS
1
4
WIRES - 1b
1
4 doz.
PART
BOXES
No. in Box
PART
BOXES
No. in Box
I only have a photocopy of a photocopy of a damaged original, but this is a list of the contents of what seems to be the Retail Cabinet of the day, though, unfortunately I have never seen it.
The dates are merely an estimate and are the maximum dates over which this list could have applied...
...but if you give greater importance to the fact that none of the 'Oak' parts are mentioned then perhaps a much tighter timescale of 1934 to 1935 would apply.
I know, from items in my own collection, that several of the items listed here were indeed boxed in the quantities specified above - adding further support to the idea.
The document also says : -
"Special Length Wires and Special Colours to order only."
...the mind boggles - what specials were they alluding to?
Well, it looks like the offer to make longer Rods the customer wanted applied from the earliest days...
...the 'Oak' parts, white Windows, green Arches, etc. are probably what they meant by "special colours"...
...though there is anecdotal evidence that these parts were stocked, at least by some retailers.
 
1949? to 1950?
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
10
Bases
1
6
Floors 13 x 09 Hole
  
2
Large Roofs
3
6
Floors 15 x 11 Hole
  
6
Medium Roofs
2
72
No. ½ Brick Rods
  
6
Small Roofs
28
72
No. 1 Brick Rods
  
12
Flat Roof Long Section
30
72
No. 2 Brick Rods
  
12
Flat Roof Ends
29
144
No. 3 Brick Rods
  
72
End Bricks, Red
27
144
No. 4 Brick Rods
  
108
End Bricks, White
27
144
No. 5 Brick Rods
  
288
Bricks, Red
4
144
No. 6 Brick Rods
  
216
Bricks, White
4
72
No. 7 Brick Rods
  
18
Half Bricks, Red
5
72
No. 8 Brick Rods
  
64
Half Bricks, White
5
6
Screwdrivers
  
36
Long Bricks, Red
5L
24
Base Links With Screws
  
24
Long Bricks, White
5L
144
Corner Ties
  
48
Curved Bricks, Red
26
144
Tie Bars, Straight
  
24
Curved Bricks, White
26
6
Gable Roofs
31
24
Doors
8
12
Pillars, 2 Brick
15M
60
Windows
7
12
Roof Ends, Long
32
18
Large Windows
7L
144
Balustrades
33
24
Curved Windows
25
144
Wall Brick
34
12
Bay Window Covers
19
72
Corner Bricks
35
24
Pillars, 3 Brick
15L
18
Span
36
6
Chimneys
10
6
Pinnacle Roofs
17
6
Canopy
9
6
Pinnacle Platform
18
12
Steps, Straight
12S
24
Curved Turret Corners
21
10
Arch
11
24
Square Turret Corners
22
6
Floors 07 x 7 Hole
  
36
Straight Turret, Long
23
6
Floors 15 x 5 Hole
  
36
Straight Turret, Short
23S
12
Floors 15 x 6 Hole
  
6
Domes
20
6
Floors 11 x 7 Hole
  
144
Crazy Paving
37S
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
As well as the above details, it also refers only to sets #0 to #3 and conversion sets #0X to #2X.
This places the introduction of this sheet after the launch of set #3 and before the launch of the set #3X in late 1951...
...hence the estimated dates.
The slightly restricted range of parts included further supports this conclusion.
It also has space for prices of longer Rods from 9 Brick to 12 Brick.
Sheet which helped the retailer manage his BAYKO Cabinet
No colours were specified for these 4 parts [above] but, based both on observation and later documentation, I am convinced that the ratio of 2 White to 1 Red was the applied in all 4 cases.
 
1949? to 1950?
The document below to the left is actually a...
"SPECIAL FORM WHEN ORDERING REFILL PACKS FOR SPARE PART CABINET"
Special form used by retailers to top up their stock of BAYKO spare parts between 1949 and 1951
...to quote from the sheet itself.
The contents listed for the refill packs mentioned here are identical to the contents mentioned in the table above.
I believe this creates an overwhelming case that these were definitely the contents of the full Retail Cabinets of the period.
Just as with the sheet above, this document does not specify the split between Red and White for : -
Domes
Pinnacle Roofs
Pinnacle Platforms
Corner Bricks
...but, based both on observation and later BAYKO documentation, I would guess at : -
⅓ Red
⅔ White
...and I believe these proportions would have applied in all 4 cases.
A thought to ponder - is it possible that red Bakelite was slightly more expensive than white?
Unfortunately the reorder form above isn't dated, but the lack of so many parts which were included in set #3X which was launched late in 1951, suggests that the dates are logical.
 
1950 to 1951
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
10
Bases
1
12
Roof Ends, Long
32
2
Large Roofs
3
144
Balustrades
33
6
Medium Roofs
2
144
Wall Brick
34
6
Small Roofs
28
72
Corner Bricks (24 Red, 48 White)
35
12
Flat Roofs
30
18
Span
36
12
Roof Ends
29
144
Crazy Paving
37S
72
End Bricks, Red
27
6
Screwdrivers
  
108
End Bricks, White
27
24
Base Links With Screws
  
288
Bricks, Red
4
144
Tie Bars, Straight
  
216
Bricks, White
4
144
Corner Ties
  
36
Long Bricks, Red
5L
6
Floors07 x 07 Hole
  
24
Long Bricks, White
5L
6
Floors 15 x 05 Hole
  
18
Half Bricks, Red
5
12
Floors 15 x 06 Hole
  
64
Half Bricks, White
5
6
Floors 11 x 07 Hole
  
48
Curved Bricks, Red
26
6
Floors 13 x 09 Hole
  
24
Curved Bricks, White
26
6
Floors 15 x 11 Hole
  
60
Windows
7
72
No. ½ Brick Rods
  
18
Large Windows
7L
72
No. 1 Brick Rods
  
24
Curved Windows
25
72
No. 2 Brick Rods
  
12
Bay Window Covers
19
144
No. 3 Brick Rods
  
24
Doors
8
144
No. 4 Brick Rods
  
6
Canopies
9
144
No. 5 Brick Rods
  
6
Chimneys
10
144
No. 6 Brick Rods
  
10
Arch
11
72
No. 7 Brick Rods
  
12
Steps, Straight
12S
72
No. 8 Brick Rods
  
24
Pillars, 3 Brick
15L
48
Side Windows
(Packed in Pairs, 1 each (L & R))
38R & 38L
12
Pillars, 2 Brick
15M
6
Pinnacle Roofs (2 Red, 4 White)
17
48
Side Bricks (Red)
39
6
Pinnacle Platform (2 Red, 4 White)
18
48
Side Bricks (White)
39
24
Curved Turret Corners
21
24
Opening Windows
40
24
Square Turret Corners
22
12
Small Chimneys
41
36
Straight Turret, Long
23
12
Gates & Matching Balustrade
(Complete)
42
36
Straight Turret, Short
23S
6
Domes (2 Red, 4 White)
20
7
Instruction Booklets*
  
6
Gable Roofs
31
*Purchase Tax is not chargeable on Instruction Booklets
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
The information above is taken from the card [below, right]...
...which is clearly intended to help retailer's manage their Retail Cabinets.
A minor point of interest here is that the order in which the BAYKO spare parts have been listed differs quite significantly from the previous card [above]. Some of the changes are to accommodate the new parts, but other changes are more difficult to explain.
BAYKO Retail Cabinet card from 1950 or 1951
The start date for the use of this Retail Cabinet Card I have based on the launch dates for the "new parts which are in production, but are not included in the standard sets". These new BAYKO parts were released during 1950 and 1951...
...the end date is based on the stated availability of just one "Instruction Booklet". The new, i.e. second manual, for set #3X, was first mentioned in an April, 1951 Parts Price List...
The script over the parts list, to the right of the card, confirms these the contents of a full Retail Cabinet.
The previously suspected ratio of 2 White to 1 Red for these 4 parts [above] is now confirmed here.
 
1951? to 1955? Domestic
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
12
Bases
1
12
Roof Ends, Long
32
2
Large Roofs
3
144
Balustrades
33
4
Medium Roofs
2
108
Wall Brick
34
4
Small Roofs
28
72
Corner Bricks (24 Red, 48 White)
35
8
Flat Roofs
30
20
Spans
36
12
Roof Ends
29
288
Crazy Paving
37S
72
End Bricks, Red
27
6
Screwdrivers
  
108
End Bricks, White
27
36
Base Links with Screws
  
288
Bricks, Red
4
72
Screws for Base Links
  
216
Bricks, White
4
144
Tie Bars, Straight
  
36
Long Bricks, Red
5L
144
Corner Ties
  
24
Long Bricks, White
5L
6
Floors07 x 07 Hole
  
36
Half Bricks, Red
5
6
Floors 15 x 05 Hole
  
64
Half Bricks, White
5
12
Floors 15 x 06 Hole
  
48
Curved Bricks, Red
26
6
Floors 11 x 07 Hole
  
24
Curved Bricks, White
26
6
Floors 13 x 09 Hole
  
60
Windows
7
6
Floors 15 x 11 Hole
  
18
Large Windows
7L
72
No. ½ Brick Rods
  
24
Curved Windows
25
72
No. 1 Brick Rods
  
12
Bay Window Covers
19
72
No. 2 Brick Rods
  
24
Doors
8
144
No. 3 Brick Rods
  
6
Canopies
9
144
No. 4 Brick Rods
  
12
Chimneys
10
144
No. 5 Brick Rods
  
12
Arches
11
144
No. 6 Brick Rods
  
30
Steps
12S
72
No. 7 Brick Rods
  
24
Pillars, 3 Brick
15L
72
No. 8 Brick Rods
  
18
Pillars, 2 Brick
15M
36
Side Windows Right
38R*
6
Pinnacle Roofs (2 Red, 4 White)
17
36
Side Windows Left
38L*
6
Pinnacle Platform (2 Red, 4 White)
18
48
Side Bricks (Red)
39
12
Curved Turret Corners
21
48
Side Bricks (White)
39
12
Square Turret Corners
22
24
Opening Windows
40
18
Straight Turret, Long
23
12
Small Chimneys
41
18
Straight Turret, Short
23S
24
Gates & Matching Balustrades (Complete)
42
9
Domes (3 Red, 6 White)
20
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 3
 
12
Gable Roofs
31
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 4
 
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
The information above is again taken from the document opposite...
...which is clearly a re-order sheet with which the retailers used to restock their retail cabinets.
"Kindly use this special form when ordering refill packs for parts cabinet".
"Quantities shown are as originally contained in Cabinet".
The document also enables retailers to order "Instruction Booklets No. 4", which means that the earliest date is the second half of 1951.
The lack of a mention of Glazing Strips means the form dates before glazing for windows was introduced around 1956.
It also says : -
"Longer Rods can be supplied to Order."
Office systems were obviously getting more efficient - there's now a space to re-order more re-order forms!
The contents, though not the layout, of this form are identical to its export equivalent [below].
Special form used by retailers to top up their stock of BAYKO spare parts between 1952 and 1955
210 mm x 269 mm = 8.25 x 10.6 inches
.
1951? to 1955? Export
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
12
Bases
1
12
Roof Ends, Long
32
2
Large Roofs
3
144
Balustrades
33
4
Medium Roofs
2
108
Wall Brick
34
4
Small Roofs
28
72
Corner Bricks (24 Red, 48 White)
35
8
Flat Roofs
30
20
Spans
36
12
Roof Ends
29
288
Crazy Paving
37S
72
End Bricks, Red
27
6
Screwdrivers
  
108
End Bricks, White
27
36
Base Links with Screws
  
288
Bricks, Red
4
72
Screws for Base Links
  
216
Bricks, White
4
144
Tie Bars, Straight
  
36
Long Bricks, Red
5L
144
Corner Ties
  
24
Long Bricks, White
5L
6
Floors07 x 07 Hole
  
36
Half Bricks, Red
5
6
Floors 15 x 05 Hole
  
64
Half Bricks, White
5
12
Floors 15 x 06 Hole
  
48
Curved Bricks, Red
26
6
Floors 11 x 07 Hole
  
24
Curved Bricks, White
26
6
Floors 13 x 09 Hole
  
60
Windows
7
6
Floors 15 x 11 Hole
  
18
Large Windows
7L
72
No. ½ Brick Rods
  
24
Curved Windows
25
72
No. 1 Brick Rods
  
12
Bay Window Covers
19
72
No. 2 Brick Rods
  
24
Doors
8
144
No. 3 Brick Rods
  
6
Canopies
9
144
No. 4 Brick Rods
  
12
Chimneys
10
144
No. 5 Brick Rods
  
12
Arches
11
144
No. 6 Brick Rods
  
30
Steps
12S
72
No. 7 Brick Rods
  
24
Pillars, 3 Brick
15L
72
No. 8 Brick Rods
  
18
Pillars, 2 Brick
15M
36
Side Windows Right
38R*
6
Pinnacle Roofs (2 Red, 4 White)
17
36
Side Windows Left
38L*
6
Pinnacle Platform (2 Red, 4 White)
18
48
Side Bricks (Red)
39
12
Curved Turret Corners
21
48
Side Bricks (White)
39
12
Square Turret Corners
22
24
Opening Windows
40
18
Straight Turret, Long
23
12
Small Chimneys
41
18
Straight Turret, Short
23S
24
Gates & Matching Balustrades (Complete)
42
9
Domes (3 Red, 6 White)
20
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 3
 
12
Gable Roofs
31
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 4
 
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Special form used by retailers to top up their stock of BAYKO spare parts between 1952 and 1955
The information above is again taken from the document opposite...
...which is clearly a re-order sheet with which the retailers used to restock their retail cabinets.
The key detail here is that this form was intended for use within the export markets, as identified in the printers code at the bottom left hand side of the document.
The document also enables retailers to order "Instruction Booklets No. 4", which means that the earliest date is the second half of 1951.
The lack of a mention of Glazing Strips means the form dates before glazing for windows was introduced around 1956.
The contents of this form are identical to the domestic equivalent form [above except for the omission of the legend : -
"Longer Rods can be supplied to Order."
Office systems are catered for, as with the domestic version, as there's again a space to re-order more re-order forms!
Clearly, and unsurprisingly, export Cabinets had the same contents as dometic ones given that the form specifies that : -
"Quantities shown are as originally contained in Cabinet."
.
1957? to 1958?
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
12
Arches
11
30
Steps
12S
144
Balustrades
33
12
Turrets, Curved
21
12
Bases
1
12
Turrets, Square
22
12
Bay Window Covers
19
18
Turrets, Straight, Long
23
288
Bricks, Red
4
18
Turrets, Straight, Short
23S
216
Bricks, White
4
60
Windows
7
72
Bricks, Corner(24 Red, 48 White)
35
18
Windows, Large
7L
48
Bricks, Curved, Red
26
24
Windows, Curved
25
24
Bricks, Curved, White
26
24
Windows, Opening
40
72
Bricks, End, Red
27
36prs
Windows, Side
(Packed in pairs, 1 each L. & R.)
38R/
38L
108
Bricks, End, White
27
36
Bricks, Half, Red
5
FLOORS
64
Bricks, Half, White
5
36
Bricks, Long, Red
5L
6
Floors17 x 07 Hole
  
24
Bricks, Long, White
5L
6
Floors 15 x 05 Hole
  
48
Bricks, Side, Red
39
12
Floors 15 x 06 Hole
  
48
Bricks, Side, White
39
6
Floors 11 x 07 Hole
  
108
Bricks, Wall
34
6
Floors 13 x 09 Hole
  
6
Canopies
9
6
Floors 15 x 11 Hole
  
12
Chimneys
10
METAL PARTS
12
Chimneys, Small
41
288
Crazy Paving
37S
36
Base Links with Screws
  
9
Domes (3 Red, 6 White)
20
72
Screws for Base Links
  
24
Doors
8
6
Screwdrivers
  
24
Gates & Matching Balustrades (Complete)
42
144
Tie Bars, Corner
  
24
Pillars, 3 Brick
15L
144
Tie Bars, Straight
  
18
Pillars, 2 Brick
15M
72
No. ½ Brick Rods
  
6
Pinnacle Platform (2 Red, 4 White)
18
72
No. 1 Brick Rods
  
2
Roofs, Large
3
72
No. 2 Brick Rods
  
4
Roofs, Medium
2
144
No. 3 Brick Rods
  
4
Roofs, Small
28
144
No. 4 Brick Rods
  
8
Roofs, Flat
30
144
No. 5 Brick Rods
  
12
Roofs, Gable
31
144
No. 6 Brick Rods
  
6
Roofs, Pinnacle(2 Red, 4 White)
17
72
No. 7 Brick Rods
  
12
Roof Ends
29
72
No. 8 Brick Rods
  
12
Roof Ends, Long
32
MANUALS
20
Spans
36
12
Glazing Material
(Sets of 4 strips)
 
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 3
 
12
Ramps
  
4
Instruction Booklets No. 0 - 4
 
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
Quantity
Article
Ref. No.
This information above is taken from the document opposite...
...which is clearly a re-order sheet with which the retailers used to restock their retail cabinets.
"Spare parts can only be supplied in either full of half quantity packs".
This and offer of "Cabinet of Spare Parts" - "Full Contents" or "Half Contents" explains why some of the cardboard packs for various parts are occasionally found in different sizes.
It is rather surprising to find that the number of BAYKO Bases has been increased from 10 to 12 - the only part quantity to have changed compared to the earlier Forms.
The use of red ink [above] must be to draw these items to the attention of the retailers, suggesting that they were newly introduced.
It also still says : -
"Longer Rods can be supplied to Order."
BAYKO spare parts re-order form, 1957 to 1958
209 mm x 307 = 8.2 x 12.4 inches
 
MECCANO Era 1961
MECCANO BAYKO Sets and Spare Parts Re-order form from 1961
I'm sorry but I don't have a document which specifically details the contents of a MECCANO era Retail Cabinet so I'm afraid I can't specify the exact contents...
...however, the form [left] is, perhaps, the next best thing - it's the form used by retailers to replenish their stocks of both BAYKO sets and spare parts, probably the first of the MECCANO era - and it does include details of the repeat order quantities for each BAYKO part.
It informs the retailer that a full Retail Cabinet would cost the princely sum of : -
£11/4/8
[£11.24]
- including £02/6/8
[£02.34] purchase tax.
It also goes on to say : -
"A three drawer polished wood storage cabinet is provided on loan with each selection".
Reading between the lines, I can only assume that this loan was automatic with the [first?] order.
I'm afraid that's all I can offer at this stage.
I don't know about you, but I'd love to pay £11.233 for a Cabinet full of brand new BAYKO parts - and I think I'd happily accept the free Cabinet as well!
265 mm x 416 = 10.4 x 14.4 inches
 
MECCANO Era 1962 Onwards
I still don't have a document which specifically details the contents of a MECCANO era Retail Cabinet so I'm afraid I still can't specify the exact contents...
...however, the form opposite is, still perhaps, the next best thing - it's the form used by retailers to replenish their stocks of both BAYKO sets and spare parts following the launch of the set #15 and the retail packs - and, again, it does include details of the repeat order quantities for each BAYKO part.
It informs the retailer that a full Retail Cabinet would cost the princely sum of : -
£12
- including £2/7/- [ £2.35] purchase tax.
It also goes on to say : -
"An Initial Order for the above selection of Bayko Parts will entitle you to one Polished Wood Three-Drawer Storage Cabinet Free on Loan".
I can't see many retailers failing to tick the box for that offer!
I'm afraid that's again all I can offer at this stage.
I don't know about you, but I'd even be prepared to stretch to £12 for a Cabinet full of brand new BAYKO parts - and I think I'd probably still opt for the free Cabinet as well!
MECCANO era BAYKO Order Form as used by retailers to top up their stock.
263 mm x 416 = 10.35 x 16.4 inches
 
MECCANO Era 1965
1965 MECCANO BAYKO Spare Parts Order Form
I'm sorry but yet again this document doesn't specifically detail the contents of a MECCANO era Retail Cabinet so I'm afraid I can't specify the exact contents...
...however, the form [left] is, perhaps, the next best thing - it's the form used by retailers to replenish their stocks of BAYKO spare parts, and it does include details of the repeat order quantities for each BAYKO part.
The document dates from 1965 - it is actually date coded November, 1964 - and is actually double sided with the full range of MECCANO parts on the reverse.
I'm afraid that's all I can offer at this stage.
267 mm x 254 mm = 10.5 x 10.0 inches
 
MECCANO Era 1967
I'm sorry but I still don't have a document which specifically details the contents of a MECCANO era Retail Cabinet so I'm afraid I can't specify the exact contents...
...however, the form [right] is, perhaps, the next best thing - it's the form used by retailers to replenish their stocks of BAYKO spare parts, almost certainly the last of the MECCANO era - and it does include details of the repeat order quantities for each BAYKO part.
All the frills, such as offers of a "free loan" of a wooden storage cabinet, have long gone, but the full range of BAYKO parts, established in August, 1962 is still there.
I'm afraid that's all I can offer at this stage...
...except to point out that this is, almost certainly, the last pure BAYKO document ever released - even though it did have a MECCANO spare parts list on the back.
BAYKO Spare Parts Re-order Sheet 1967
265 mm x 416 = 10.4 x 14.4 inches
 
 
 
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Latest update - May 21, 2013