posted 10-04-2012 04:48 PM               

It's really, really cool, but I have been curious to get info on it. For the life of me I can't find anything anywhere. It was made by Magic Models, Inc and according to the box was one of several Big models. The copyright on it says 1985.

posted 10-15-2012 12:51 PM            

Some quick internet searches showed that the modeler (Robert Marshall) applied for a trademark but never finalized the paperwork in 1985. Another eBay auction shows the dollhouse kit was produced — not sure about the others.

Somewhat related, there was a similar paper model line that included an 8' Saturn V rocket- but made from only poster-paper, not cardboard, which was to be wrapped around sections of PVC pipe. This was sold in the hobby/craft section of a Waldenbooks during the mid 1980's.

posted 10-16-2012 01:28 PM               

I really need to work on my internet research skills. I took a whole day to research this online and came up with zip!

I would really like to assemble this, but I am kind of worried about doing the equivalent of using a rare classic car as a flower bed yard ornament.

Also, to anyone who can advise, how well do these paper models hold up? Is there anything that can be done to fight against fading, moisture once the model is assembled.

A first thought would be to spray with some kind of polyurethane, but I really doubt that would not do more harm than good.

posted 10-16-2012 03:19 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by tallrise:
I would really like to assemble this, but I am kind of worried about doing the equivalent of using a rare classic car as a flower bed yard ornament.

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posted 11-05-2012 01:00 PM            

If you have it on display, it may fade a little bit — possibly the red colors will fade the most, as red colors in general seem to be more UV-sensitive. If you can keep it stored indoors with proper climate control (A/C or heat as needed) I think the cardboard will hold up fine, high humidity or moisture would be the greatest enemy to the cardboard.

I'd suggest using some archival-grade matboard adhesive/ foam-board glue. Check hobby/craft stores for this, as it will last better/longer than a regular "Elmer's" type white school glue. If the seams are not overlapped, you may have to add some internal or "hidden" tabs to provide a better surface for the joints.

I don't think the collectible market will accrue any significant value to this item- but if you want to preserve it unbuilt, then one other option would be to make full 1:1 color copies of the cardboard pieces at an engineering/large-format reproduction shop. You can even source some heavy 100lb paper stock to copy on, and then mount to appropriate thickness of poster board to replicate the original.

You would then build from that (FedEx/Kinko's may be able to do this type of copying, or check online). The silver color may not be quite perfect, as it will probably be more of a gray, given that most color copiers will replicate that using a 4-color CYMK process, not the true silver ink that the original pieces may have been printed on.

Another comment, I'd avoid spraying any type of varnish/urethane/paint-fixitive on the assembled model, as invariably those coating will typically yellow over time. And the evaporative solvent in most coatings may react unfavorably with the original paper and ink surface of the model.

As for the colors fading, you won't be able to entirely prevent it if it's on display, but you could take some digital images of the assembled pieces accompanied by a color target for archival purposes (such as the Kodak Professional Color Q-60 target). Make sure the images include both the model and the target.