The ‘River Series'

A trademark owned by M/s Jordan and Lewden of Homerton, London E9. Note that, while ‘River Series' models were cast using tools supplied by DCMT, they had no other connection with DCMT. The Jordan and Lewden company started to offer diecast toys to the toy trade from about 1953 and continued to do so for only a few years. Dies were eventually sold to the Habonim firm in Israel and models subsequently appeared in the ‘Gamda' series of toys. Some examples are known to have been produced in New Zealand by Lincoln Industries (who were also responsible for some ‘lookalike' Matchbox models). Only ‘Made in England' and the car name appear on the diecast base of each model. None of the models acquired window glazing while made as ‘River Series' – some did when produced as ‘Gamda' toys. 1/43 scale.

These car models came in various colours and had cast hubs/rubber tyres where friction-motor fitted, otherwise one-piece rubber wheels.

Ford Prefect .......................................................NGPP American Buick.................................................NGPP Daimler Conquest

Purple, bare metal chassis and hubs, rubber tyres ......................................................... £200-250

Austin Somerset A40

Metallic blue, bare metal chassis and hubs, rubber tyres .............................................. £75-100 Standard Vanguard II Saloon..........................NGPP Standard Vanguard Estate ...............................NGPP

These larger items were also available in various colours, some have clockwork motor, most have one-piece cast wheels, and some were boxed.

Cattle Truck .......................................................NGPP Car Carrier .........................................................NGPP Excavator Truck ................................................NGPP Tower Wagon .....................................................NGPP Cable Lorry

Light green, grey unpainted cable drum with handle ......................................................... £40-60

Tipping Lorry

Dark green, red back.................................. £40-60

Open Lorry

Military green ............................................. £40-60

River Transport Lorry

Dark green chassis, yellow open sided tilt with 'River Transport' cast in the side .............. £40-60 Blue chassis, red open sided tilt with 'River Transport' cast in the side ......................... £40-60

Army Truck and Cannon

Military green truck with tin tilt, black plastic wheels with matching gun ........................ £50-75

Petrol Tank Lorry

Green body, bare metal wheels, cream tanker body with "Esso" paper label to top, blue plastic hose ............................................................. £60-75

Petrol Tanker