Plasticville U.S.A. Panoramic Catalog 1955

The Greatest Toy Town “in-or-out” of this World’

“Nowhere but in the Plasticville of your own founding can you ever hope to enjoy so much for so little cost. The low price and the high quality of each faithfully detailed-to-scale selection keeps Plasticville far ahead of competing communities. It’s the All-American boom town in miniature – yours for thrills!” – pg. 12.

This ‘panoramic catalog’ was published in 1955 by Philadelphia-based Bachmann Brothers, Inc. to promote their popular line of plastic toys. Though the sets were originally intended to accompany model railroads, the wide-paved highway approaching Plasticville on the front page reflects a change in marketing (and transportation preferences). Contents include houses, vehicles, bridges, churches, stores, figurines, and much more. Buy the Plasticville International Airport for less than $5, or a whole shopping center (60 pieces total!) for just $7.98 – about $100 today. A mix of photographs and illustrated views blend fantasy and reality, inviting young consumers to design and govern their own thriving mid-century community.