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Littletown (Banner Plastics and Unlimited Plastics)

Unlimited Plastics vs. Banner Plastics

To the best of our knowledge, Unlimited Plastics of New York City, NY began the Littletown line of plastic structures. Their factory was located in Paterson, NJ from which all shipments were made.

They, or at least the Littletown buildings, were bought out by Banner Plastics Corp. of New York. Their company showroom was at 200 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Their factory was listed as in New York City in 1950. It was listed as in Patterson, NJ in 1952. They were in business from 1944 through 1967. They made an assortment of plastic toys including assorted vehicles and trains.

Bachmann then bought the line (or company) in late 1955.

Littletown Catalogs

There are four Littletown catalogs out there although the last may not have been distributed. There is the 1953 catalog from Unlimited Plastics with 8 pages. The 1954 catalog from Unlimited Plastics with 12 pages. Then there is a 1955 catalog from Banner Plastics with 12 pages. Finally there is a 1956/1957 catalog from Banner with 12 pages. This last catalog may not have been distributed widely because it is commonly believed that Bachmann bought Banner, or the Littletown line in late 1955. 

These catalogs are similar to Plasticville catalogs in that they were designed for dealers rather than consumers. These are difficult to find; a rare treat for the fan of Littletown! 

A reproduction of the 1954 catalog is known to exist. Some examples may have the word “reproduction” rubber stamped in the lower right hand corner of the back page, but not all. Known reproductions do not have the holes and rectangular cutouts on the bound edge as do original catalogs.

1954 Littletown Catalog

1956-1957 Littletown Catalog

Individual Littletown Items

213 Church With Figures

Figures include: 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 policeman, 2 men and 2 women.

113 Church

Comments: Same as #213, but without the figures

207 Barn & Silo With Figures

Figures include: Farmer, farmer’s wife, horse, colt, cow, pig, 2 chickens

309 Farm Animal Set

8 figures including: 1 standing horse, 1 horse bending down, 2 chickens, 1 standing cow, 1 pig, 1 farmer chopping wood and 1 farmer’s wife feeding chickens.

310 Farm Set

Comments: 20 figures plus 12 pieces of fence (2 gates).
 

Figures include: 1 farmer chopping wood, 1 farmer’s wife feeding chickens, 6 chickens, 3 standing horses, 3 bending horses, 3 standing cows, and 3 pigs.

313 Freight Set

Figures include: blue man with lantern, pink butcher, pink man with wrench, pink boy with newspaper, pink policeman holding hand up, pink girl bending over, 2 blue men sitting waving, 3 blue men with grips, blue fat man waving, red trash can, 2 green benches, 1 flat green/red cart, 1 red/green dolly, 1 red dolly with luggage. All figures can be pink or blue. Total pieces: 18.

202 Cape Cod Cottage & Trellis with Figures

Comments: Single roof, curtains on windows, clapboard walls, dormer, doors open.
 

Figures include: man with grip, bench, seated man and woman, a boy, a girl, a man and woman standing. Chimney color and trellis almost always match

210 Ranch House with Figures

Comments: Doors open, including garage door.

Figures include: man with grip, bench, seated man and woman, a boy, a girl, a man and woman standing. Chimney always matches walls.

203 Southern Colonial House with Figures

Figures include: man with grip, bench, seated man and woman, a boy, a girl, a man and woman standing. All Littletown figures are in soft vinyl plastic.

Comments: Although Bachmann re-issued this piece in the Plasticville line, the Littletown items feature walls that are not as white.

212 School House With Figures

Figures include: man with hat, man with grip, 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 policeman, 2 women.

Comments: Possible light variations include one with a glow in the dark bulb and one without (bulb won’t fit on).

112 School House

Comments: Same as #212, but without the figures

206 General Store with Figures

Accessories: Includes set of six printed windows and signs (hardware, men and ladies wear, butcher, bakery, 5&10 store, post office.

Figures include: shopkeeper, newsboy, man with grip, a boy, a girl, 2 standing men, 2 standing women.

205 Corner Store with Figures

Accessories: Includes set of six printed windows and signs (jeweler, ice cream, cafe, flowers, barber, drugs).

Figures include: man with grip, a boy, a girl, shopkeeper, 2 standing men, 2 standing women.

Comments: Littletown version has a small arched window between the large window and the corner front door, Plasticville re-issues do not have the small arched window.

301 Telegraph Poles

Comments: 12 per box

302 Boulevard Lights

Comments: 12 per box

303 Street Lights

Comments: 12 per box

304 Fence & Gate

Comments: White rail fence. 10 sections 3.5″ x 1.25″ plus 2 gate sections.

305 Road or Street Signs

Comments: 12 yellow signs with black print. Intersection (+), watch children, speed limit 35 MPH, stop, keep right no passing, slow school, narrow bridge, traffic light ahead, parking limit one hour, bus stop, no left turn, slow.

307 Street Accessory Unit

Comments: 22 pieces including 2 boulevard lights, 2 street lights, 2 green/red traffic lights, 2 green/red street signs, 2 red US mail boxes, 2 green/red US mail letter boxes, 2 red/green trash cans, 3 red fire hydrants, 3 red fire alarm boxes, 2 red/green benches.

308 Street Accessory Unit & Sign Unit

Comments: Contains items found in both #307 Street Accessory Unit and #305 Road or Street Signs.

312 Park Set

Comments: 17 pieces including 2 spruce trees, 2 maple trees, 1 policeman, 2 girls bending, 2 boys in cowboy outfits, 2 fire hydrants, 1 mail box, 1 trash can, 2 couples sitting on benches, 2 benches.

314 Maple Trees

Comments: Contains 24 pieces making a total of 12 trees.

324 Spruce Trees

Comments: Contains 24 pieces making a total of 12 trees.

Littletown Combination Sets

401 House & Yard Accessory Unit

Contains: 1 cape cod cottage, fence and gate unit, 2 benches, man with hat, seated man, seated woman, 2 maple trees, 2 spruce trees, boy, girl.

402 Ranch House & Yard Accessory Unit

Contains: 1 ranch house, fence and gate unit, 2 benches, man with hat, seated man, seated woman, 2 maple trees, 2 spruce trees, boy, girl.

403 Train Accessory Unit

Contains: Railroad Station, loading platform, 4 boulevard lights, 4 street lights, 2 men with grips, man with hat, 2 seated men, 2 seated women, 2 benches, engineer, brakeman, conductor, 2 porters, newsboy, 2 refuse cans, package mailbox, 3 types of luggage carriers, 2 maple trees, 2 spruce trees, 6 telegraph poles, policeman, boy, girl, and mechanic.

404 Country Estate Unit

Contains: Southern Colonial Mansion with figures, cape cod cottage, barn and silo, 1 fence unit, 3 maple trees, 3 spruce trees, farm set (310), 2 telegraph poles.

405 Business Unit

Contains: Supermarket, gas station, 2 corner stores, general store, one 307 street accessory unit, 4 telegraph poles.

406 Suburban Unit

Contains: 1 ranch house, 2 cape cod cottages, 1 school house, 1 church, one 307 street accessory unit.