BOXES, POSTWAR BOX IDENTIFICATION A


POSTWAR BOX IDENTIFICATION BELOW

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PREWAR ART DECO BOXES OVERSTAMPED
1945 THROUGH 1948
WITHOUT TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP

PREWAR ART DECO DESIGN BOXES OVERSTAMPED WITH POSTWAR NUMBERS
NOTE THE BOLD LETTERING TOUCHING THE BORDERS
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED AND OVERSTAMPED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND ENDS

 NOTE THE LARGER TUCK FLAP WITHOUT PRINTED FLAP NUMBER 

END VIEW

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA
PRINTED ON BOTTOM 

SIDE VIEW  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

SIDE VIEW  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

NOTE COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS WERE USED WITH THESE PREWAR BOXES 


POSTWAR ART DECO BOXES 1945 -1946

WITHOUT TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP
CARRY FORWARD OF THE PREWAR ART DECO DESIGN
NOTE THE BOLD LETTERING TOUCHING THE BORDERS
THE FIRST PRODUCED POSTWAR BOX TYPE 
ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES

NOTE THE LARGER TUCK FLAP WITHOUT PRINTED FLAP NUMBER

END VIEW

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW
MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA
PRINTED ON BOTTOM

 SIDE VIEW
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX

SIDE VIEW
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX

LINERS WERE USED WITH THESE BOXES


POSTWAR ART DECO BOXES 1947

WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP
 CARRY FORWARD OF THE PREWAR ART DECO DESIGN
NOTE THE BOLD LETTERING TOUCHING THE BORDERS
THE FIRST PRODUCED POSTWAR BOX TYPE
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES 

NOTE THE LARGER TUCK FLAP WITHOUT PRINTED FLAP NUMBER 

END VIEW 

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA
PRINTED ON BOTTOM 

 SIDE VIEW  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION
 NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

 SIDE VIEW  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION
 NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

TOY MANUFACTURES LOGO  

LINERS WERE USED WITH THESE BOXES 


POSTWAR EARLY CLASSIC BOXES 1948 – 1949

ALSO KNOWN BY COLLECTORS AS “THREE CITIES BOX”
NOTE THE LETTERING IN THE WHITE BAND AROUND THE ENTIRE BOX NO LONGER TOUCH THE BORDERS
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND BOTH ENDS
 WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP 
WITH  NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDES 

NOTE THE LARGER TUCK FLAP WITHOUT PRINTED FLAP NUMBER  

END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS   

TOP VIEW
ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON TOP

BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON BOTTOM 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER   
THE LIONEL CORPORATION
 NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX   

SIDE VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER   
THE LIONEL CORPORATION
 NEW YORK — CHICAGO — SAN FRANCISCO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX   

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM
WITHOUT LINER


POSTWAR MIDDLE CLASSIC BOXES 1949 – 1955

ALSO KNOWN BY COLLECTORS AS “TWO CITIES BOX”
NOTE THE LETTERING IN THE WHITE BAND AROUND THE ENTIRE BOX NO LONGER TOUCH THE BORDERS  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND BOTH ENDS WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP 
WITH  NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDES  

NOTE THE SMALLER  TUCK FLAP WITH PRINTED FLAP NUMBER   

END VIEW  
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON TOP  

 BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON BOTTOM 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA  

SIDE VIEW 
WITH ITEM NUMBER
   THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

SIDE VIEW 
WITH ITEM NUMBER
   THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX  

 USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM WITHOUT LINER 


POSTWAR OPS CLASSIC BOXES 1952

MID CLASSIC BOX WITH OPS DAT PRINTED ON TOP
 NOTE THE LETTERING IN THE WHITE BAND AROUND THE ENTIRE BOX NO LONGER TOUCH THE BORDERS 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND BOTH ENDS
 WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP 
WITH  NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDES   

NOTE THE SMALLER  TUCK FLAP WITH PRINTED FLAP NUMBER  

END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
OPS INFORMATON PRINTED ON TOP
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON TOP  

BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON BOTTOM 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA  

  SIDE VIEW
 WITH ITEM NUMBER 
  THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX   

 

 SIDE VIEW
 WITH ITEM NUMBER 
  THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX

example of printed OPS information   

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM WITHOUT LINER 


POSTWAR LATE CLASSIC BOXES 1956 – 1958

 NOTE THE LETTERING IN THE WHITE BAND AROUND THE ENTIRE BOX NO LONGER TOUCH THE BORDERS  ITEM NUMBER IS NOT PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES,  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON  BOTH ENDS
 WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP
 WITH  NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDES   

 NOTE THE SMALLER  TUCK FLAP WITH PRINTED FLAP NUMBER  

 END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER NO LONGER PRINTED ON TOP  

BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER NO LONGER PRINTED ON BOTTOM 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA  

 SIDE VIEW 
WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX

 SIDE VIEW 
WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX

 USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM
WITHOUT LINER


POSTWAR BOLD CLASSIC BOXES 1958

SAME AS A LATE CLASSIC BOX EXCEPT THE ITEM NAME AND NUMBER ARE PRINTED IN A VERY BOLD FONT ON BOTH ENDS

 NOTE THE SMALLER  TUCK FLAP WITH PRINTED FLAP NUMBER

 END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW 
ITEM NUMBER NO LONGER PRINTED ON TOP  

 BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER  NO LONGER  PRINTED ON BOTTOM 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA  

 SIDE VIEW
 WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX 

 SIDE VIEW
 WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER  
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO 
PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX 

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM
WITHOUT LINER 


POSTWAR GLOSSY CLASSIC BOXES 1958

PRINTED A BRIGHTER ORANGE AND BLUE THAN STANDARD LATE CLASSIC BOX
MADE OUT OF A MORE BRITTLE CARD STOCK (no rag content card stock)  
 NOTE THE LETTERING IN THE WHITE BAND AROUND THE ENTIRE BOX NO LONGER TOUCH THE BORDERS 
 ITEM NUMBER IS NOT PRINTED ON ALL FOUR SIDES, 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON  BOTH ENDS 
WITH TOY LOGO PRINTED ON THE TOP
 WITH  NEW YORK — CHICAGO PRINTED ON SIDES   

NOTE THE SMALLER  TUCK FLAP WITH PRINTED FLAP NUMBER  

 END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW 
ITEM NUMBER NO LONGER PRINTED ON TOP  

BOTTOM VIEW
 ITEM NUMBER NO LONGER PRINTED ON BOTTOM  
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW
 WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER 
  THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO
 PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX 

SIDE VIEW
 WITHOUT ITEM NUMBER 
  THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
NEW YORK — CHICAGO
 PRINTED ON SIDE OF BOX 

WITHOUT COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS 

LEFT
standard late classic box
RIGHT
 glossy classic box 


THE SCOPE OF GLOSSY CLASSIC BOXES
AN ON GOING RESEARCH PROJECT BY COTT

Cornucopia of Toy Trains is always continuing research. The entire scope of Glossy Classic boxes is being documented. If you know of one not shown already please contact us and share your knowledge and hopefully a picture.

No. 55 “TIE-JECTOR” CAR

No. 260 ILLUMINATED BUMPER

No. 920-2 TUNNEL PORTALS

No. 3366 -100 FIGURES FOR No. 3366 CIRCUS CAR

Lionel’s Plasticville in Glossy Classic Boxes

No. 956 STOCKYARD SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  

No. 960 BARNYARD SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  

No. 965 FARM SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  

No. 969 CONSTRUCTION SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  

No. 980 RANCH SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  

No. 984 RAILROAD SET

courtesy of “THE LEVERICH COLLECTION”  


POSTWAR ORANGE PERFORATED BOXES 1959 – 1960

NEW BOX DESIGN 
ALLOWS DISPLAY OF CONTENTS BY REMOVING PERFORATED FLAP

 NOTE THE PRINTED FLAP NUMBER

END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
note the perforated panel printed with 
TO DISPLAY CONTENTS REMOVE PANEL
ALONG TOP EDGE 
A LIFETIME INVESTMENT IN HAPPINESS
ALONG BOTTOM
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK CHICAGO
ALONG EACH SIDE EDGE
LIONEL

BOTTOM VIEW
LIONEL
ELECTRIC (lion logo) TRAINS

SIDE VIEW
THE LIONEL CORPORATION
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK —CHICAGO
MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW
THE LIONEL CORPORATION
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK —CHICAGO

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM
WITHOUT LINER 


POSTWAR ORANGE NON PERFORATED BOXES 1963

same as the orange perforated box except for the top is not perforated and there is no coupler protection
also the No. 6827 box is the only one found with this variation

NOTE THE PRINTED FLAP NUMBER 

END VIEW  
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

 TOP VIEW 
note the top is not perforated although still printed with  TO DISPLAY CONTENTS REMOVE PANEL 
ALONG TOP EDGE
  A LIFETIME INVESTMENT IN HAPPINESS
 ALONG BOTTOM  
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK CHICAGO
 ALONG EACH SIDE EDGE
 LIONEL

BOTTOM VIEW 
LIONEL ELECTRIC (lion logo) TRAINS

SIDE VIEW
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK —CHICAGO 

SIDE VIEW
 THE LIONEL CORPORATION 
THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK —CHICAGO 
MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

without coupler protection flaps or liner.


PERFORATED ORANGE PICTURE BOX 1961 – 1962

PERFORATED PICTURE BOX ALLOWING DISPLAY OF CONTENTS BY REMOVING PERFORATED FLAP .

NOTE THE PRINTED FLAP NUMBER 

END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
note the perforated panel

 BOTTOM VIEW

SIDE VIEW
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM
WITHOUT LINER 


POSTWAR LIGHT ORANGE PICTURE BOX 1961 – 1964

SAME AS THE DARK ORANGE PICTURE BOX ONLY LIGHTER ORANGE 
NEW BOX DESIGN
SHOWING A HUDSON STEAM ENGINE ALONG SIDE AN “F 3”

END FLAP HAS NUMBER

 END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW

SIDE VIEW
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA  

SIDE VIEW  

without coupler protection flaps or liner.

for different length boxes Lionel used a variety of combinations of the Hudson and F3’s


POSTWAR DARK ORANGE PICTURE BOX 1961 – 1964

SAME AS THE LIGHT ORANGE PICTURE BOX ONLY DARKER ORANGE
NEW BOX DESIGN
SHOWING A HUDSON STEAM ENGINE ALONG SIDE AN “F 3”

END FLAP HAS NUMBER

END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW

SIDE VIEW  
MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW

without coupler protection flaps or liner. 


ORANGE PICTURE WITH WIDE RADIUS CORNERS 1964

 note the wider radius of the corners in the top white panel .

END FLAP HAS NUMBER 

 END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS  

TOP VIEW
note the wider radius of the corners in the top white panel

BOTTOM VIEW

SIDE VIEW
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW

USES COUPLER PROTECTION FLAPS TO SECURE ITEM WITHOUT LINER  .


POSTWAR HILLSIDE ORANGE PICTURE BOX 1963 – 1965

 NOTE “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION” 
HILLSIDE N.J. 

END FLAP HAS NUMBER 

END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
 NOTE “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION”   
HILLSIDE N.J. 

BOTTOM VIEW
 NOTE
 THE DOUBLE ARROW OVAL AROUND LIONEL LOGO 

SIDE VIEW
NOTE “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION” 
 MADE IN THE U.S. OF AMERICA 

SIDE VIEW
NOTE “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION”  

NOTE THE DOUBLE ARROW OVAL AROUND LIONEL
 without coupler protection flaps or liner  


POSTWAR CELLOPHANE FRONT BOX 1966

new generic design that had to be stamped or stickered for identification of contents
 with a fragile cellophane window on the top to display the contents

note generic flap number

 END VIEW
  ITEM NUMBER PRINTED ON SICKERS PLACED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW
note the fragile cellophane front

BOTTOM VIEW
note the two arrow oval around Lionel logo 

SIDE VIEW
note “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION HILLSIDE N.J.
THE LEADER IN MODEL RAILROADING

SIDE VIEW
note “THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION HILLSIDE N.J.
THE LEADER IN MODEL RAILROADING
MADE IN U.S. of AMERICA  

with coupler protection flaps
 note the two arrow oval around Lionel logo 

can come stickered with item number stamped on sticker

 can come with item number stamped directly on box


POSTWAR HAGERSTOWN CHECKERBOARD BOX 1968

New generic box design with white and cross hatched LIONEL wrapped around the top, two sides and bottom on an orange back ground creating a “checker board” look
on both ends is a white area for contents stamping
with THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION
HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND

box number is printed on a side flap

 END VIEW 
on both ends is a white area for contents stamping 
with THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION 
HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND 
preprinted in graphics   

TOP VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

BOTTOM VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

SIDE VIEW
 showing the “checker board” look  

SIDE VIEW
 showing the “checker board” look  

the only thing to secure the contents was one or two small pieces of crumpled brown paper 


POSTWAR “UNDERLINED LIONEL OVERSTICKERED” PICTURE BOXES

Cornucopia of Toy Trains is always continuing research. The entire scope of “Underlined Lionel Overstickered” boxes is being documented. If you know of one not shown already please contact us and share your knowledge and hopefully a picture
“Underlined Lionel Overstickered” shows up in 1968, the following are the ones identified to date

SHIPPING  BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR TWO No. 6436 HOPPER CARS 

FLAP No. 6464 – 930 PICTURE BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR No. 6017 CABOOSE 
courtesy of “The STANTON COLLECTION”

FLAP No. 6464 – 930 PICTURE BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR No. 6465 TANK CAR TWO DOME

FLAP No. 6464 – 930 PICTURE BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR No. 6464-475 BOX CAR 

FLAP No. 6464 – 930 PICTURE BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR No. 6176 HOPPER CAR 


POSTWAR “TWO ARROW OVAL AROUND LIONEL OVERSTICKERED BOXES”

Cornucopia of Toy Trains is always continuing research. The entire scope of “TWO ARROW OVAL AROUND LIONEL OVERSTICKERED” boxes is being documented. If you know of one not shown already please contact us and share your knowledge and hopefully a picture

 FLAP No. 2404 – 31 PICTURE BOX OVERSTICKERED FOR No. 6436 – 110 


POSTWAR HILLSIDE CHECKERBOARD BOX 1969

generic box design with white and cross hatched LIONEL wrapped around the top, two sides and bottom on an orange back ground creating a “checker board” look
on both ends is a white area for contents stamping
with THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION
HILLSIDE, NEW JERSEY 

 box number is printed on a side flap 

END VIEW
on both ends is a white area for contents stamping
 with THE LIONEL TOY CORPORATION
HILLSIDE, NEW JERSEY
 preprinted in graphics

TOP VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

BOTTOM VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

SIDE VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

SIDE VIEW
showing the “checker board” look

the only thing to secure the contents was one or two small pieces of crumpled brown paper


POSTWAR GENERIC WHITE BOX

number stamped on both ends otherwise entirely white

NO FLAP NUMBER

END VIEW 
 ITEM NUMBER STAMPED ON ENDS 

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW

SIDE VIEW

SIDE VIEW

with coupler protection flaps


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