Company Name/s: Dibro Ltd. / Dickinson Bros.
Name Derivation / Meaning: Dickinson Brothers - Dibro.
Location/s: 8/10 Lilly Road, Litherland, Liverpool, England.
Location/s: 8/10 Lilly Road, Litherland, Liverpool, England.
Trade Mark/s: DIBRO (Sometimes within an oval or diamond).
Dates: Founded 1933 - Present.
Notes: Initially set up by three brothers, Ewart, Harry and David Dickinson, the company specialised in the printing of general business stationary. After WWII the stationary business was sold off and the proceeds used to buy a factory in Litherland where simple metal toys were produced for F.W. Woolworth. The company was quick to invest in plastic injection moulding equipment as well as a vacuum metallising facility. This allowed a move towards the production of plastic toys. Dibro also produced metallised plastic parts for other toy makers including Meccano Ltd. Ultimately the company was able diversify beyond the toy industry. Today it makes mainly vacuum coated products.
Checklist For Dibro Toys (links lead to images in my photo-gallery).
COMPILING NOW - Last Updated 24/02/2015-
Emergency Services Cars (approx 11 cm long)
- Ambulance (Emergency Dept. 6),
- Army Car (C.I.G.S.),
- Fire Chief,
- Police Car (Highway Patroller),
- Taxi (Airport Taxi - RKF 34)
Emergency Service Cars
Joey - Friction. Tin plate dodgem car with plastic driver.
Kiddies Watch - Toy wrist watch with moving hands. Supplied boxed.
Checklist For Dibro Toys (links lead to images in my photo-gallery).
COMPILING NOW - Last Updated 24/02/2015-
Emergency Services Cars (approx 11 cm long)
- Ambulance (Emergency Dept. 6),
- Army Car (C.I.G.S.),
- Fire Chief,
- Police Car (Highway Patroller),
- Taxi (Airport Taxi - RKF 34)
Emergency Service Cars
Joey - Friction. Tin plate dodgem car with plastic driver.
Kiddies Watch - Toy wrist watch with moving hands. Supplied boxed.
Little Shop-Keeper - Working balance / scales.
Lulu - Friction. Tin plate dodgem car with plastic driver.
Tank - Friction. With paper sticker Union (UK) flag.
Time Teller, Toy Pocket Watch - Geared hands. Tin lithographed face. Supplied on card backing.
- Time Teller - Plain face with lithographed second hand dial etc.
- Time Teller - Red Riding Hood theme.
- Time Teller - Cinderella theme.
Treasure Chest - Lithographed casket shaped money box. Various themes.
- Treasure Chest - Noddy theme.
- Treasure Chest - Pirate theme.
- Treasure Chest - Pirate, Captain Kydd theme.
Up-N-Down Aeroplane - Supplied on card backing.
Lulu - Friction. Tin plate dodgem car with plastic driver.
Tank - Friction. With paper sticker Union (UK) flag.
Time Teller, Toy Pocket Watch - Geared hands. Tin lithographed face. Supplied on card backing.
- Time Teller - Plain face with lithographed second hand dial etc.
- Time Teller - Red Riding Hood theme.
- Time Teller - Cinderella theme.
Treasure Chest - Lithographed casket shaped money box. Various themes.
- Treasure Chest - Noddy theme.
- Treasure Chest - Pirate theme.
- Treasure Chest - Pirate, Captain Kydd theme.
Up-N-Down Aeroplane - Supplied on card backing.
Abbreviations Used.
N/M = no mechanism.
H/O = hand operated.
Friction = friction wound flywheel mechanism.
Crank = crank wound flywheel mechanism.
W/U = wind up / clockwork (spring) mechanism.
B/O = battery operated.
B&G = bump and go / mystery action.
R/C = remote control.
Name In Italics = exact name unknown (updated when I spot an original box or obtain an original catalogue).
N/M = no mechanism.
H/O = hand operated.
Friction = friction wound flywheel mechanism.
Crank = crank wound flywheel mechanism.
W/U = wind up / clockwork (spring) mechanism.
B/O = battery operated.
B&G = bump and go / mystery action.
R/C = remote control.
Name In Italics = exact name unknown (updated when I spot an original box or obtain an original catalogue).
Pinterest Board for Dibro - Pictures and links to other pages with Dibro tin toys. Includes items for sale on auction sites etc.