41 back "U" sign

Lafos

Lafos

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I just noticed a slight difference at the 41 backs.

Just under the proof of purchase some cards have a printed "U". Some not.

Does anynone have more infos on this ?!

10799726_10203207354288240_1267639463_n.jpg



41eesb.jpg
 
There's also a K. I believe this is the printing code. Initially I thought it was region specific, but it's randomly spread around the place in terms of what went where.

The ESB VC Jawa always has the K. Other Australian release figures were the same. But then I found some that weren't, and that theory went out the window.

I worked this out with John Kellerman back before his book came out, we had a pretty big sample size to run off at the time (in terms of US and Australian release card backs).
 
U stands for Unitoy and K for Kader. Both are factory codes (Asian factories). There is a thread somewhere...i will search it...hang on!
 
Last edited:
http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1096363/


Wbobafett said:
Summarize:

FACTORY CODES ON CARDBACKS:

1. Prior to 41 backs:
No Factory Codes present.

2. 41 - 48 backs:
Factory Codes present next to the pop:
K ("Kader" of Hong Kong)
U ("Unitoys" of Hong Kong)
S ("Smile")

3. 48 -79 backs:
Factory codes present on the bottom corner of the cardback:

TJ (Taiwan)
TW (Taiwan)
TC (Taiwan)

HN (Hong Kong)
HT (Hong Kong, Unitoys)
HG (Hong Kong, Kader.)

ME (Macau)
MC (Macau-->Mini Rigs)

So the first letter describes the location in the ROTJ area: T=Taiwan, M=Macau and H=Hong Kong, that is for sure.
The second is the factory code.


ASSUMED/KNOWN FACTORIES:

"Kader Industrial Co. Ltd." (known: "K"/"HG")

Established in Hong Kong in 1948, Kader celebrates 60 years as a leading plastics and toys manufacturer. Providing integrated manufacturing services and also specializing in fine scale model railroads, Kader's products continue to delight consumers of all ages around the world.

In the 70s and 80s, business from foreign clients continued to expand, leading the Company to produce such famous products as the original Star Wars figurines, Teddy Ruxpin and Cabbage Patch Kids. The Company also started its Mainland operations, opening its first factory in the border town of Shekou in 1983.

The move allowed Kader to overcome labour supply constraints in Hong Kong, making room for further growth. Led by sons Dr. Dennis Ting (currently the non-executive Chairman of Kader Holdings Company Limited) and Mr. Kenneth Ting, the Company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1985.

"Uni Toys (H.K.) Limited " (known: "U"/"HT")

Uni Toys is a member of Uni-Fortune Toys Group which is a toy manufacturer as well as a Hong Kong based company. We own our factories in China and all the tooling, engineering and production are integrated at our China plant. In view of our high product quality and innovation concept of product design, we are granted to work with some renowned brands for years. Apart from our own products, our expertise on product development enables us to be competent to handle with OEM projects. Our manufacturing plant has been certified with ICTI and our products are complied with ASTM and EU toys product safety requirements.

"Smile Industries Ltd." (known: "S"/"??")

...still prodcues for "Lucas":
Smile Industries Ltd, Silver Manufactory Holdings Co Ltd Unit B 7 F Reliance Mfy Bldg 24 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Aberdeen HK | Lieferverzeichnis - [Panjiva]

no homepage...though?!?!?

"Jetta Company Ltd." (assumed)

Established in Hong Kong in 1977.
Focus on manufacturing of toys and gifts.
Started China factory from 1981.
Currently one of the largest OEM toy manufacturers:
5 major plants in China
Exceeding 40,000 employees.


sources:
Hong Kong Suppliers and Hong Kong Manufacturers | HKTDC
Hong Kong Toys Council
Kader Holdings Company Limited
Click to expand...

Wbobafett said:
sorry for missleading. The logo says:

"G.M.Products (H.K.) Ltd." ...stupid me!! LOL

(Vendor is Smile, Macau!!)
4-LOM Bagged Production Sample - Star Wars Collectors Archive


"Qualidux" for Macau:
Biker Scout Bagged Production Sample - Star Wars Collectors Archive

"Qualidux Ind Co Ltd"
was founded and commenced operation in 1964 and has been one of the Hong Kong's leading & largest plastic injection molding factory in the field of plstic toys/household goods for more than 40 years.

http://www.hktdc.com/manufacturers-suppliers/Qualidux-Industrial-Co-Ltd/en/1X00M1Q7/

strange that they are located in HK and China (Dongguan) and not Macau :scratch: ???...same goes fro "Smile" btw!!
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
2. 41 - 48 backs:
Factory Codes present next to the pop:
K ("Kader" of Hong Kong)
U ("Unitoys" of Hong Kong)
S ("Smile")



​I don't think that would relate specifically to factories, more to the companies in question. There were definitely SW figures being made in red china during the vintage era, and you'd suspect from the number of variants around today, that it was a lot more than the three factories handling production.

That's just a theory, but I've been told from people inside the toy industry that these companies would sometimes farm the work out to businesses that were not entirely them, to get access to the cheaper labor etc. in China, at a time when they weren't officially making these toys there.
 
the headquaters remaind in Hong Kong...production was outsourced earliest in 1983/4!

Wbobafett said:
Some of the "Made in Hong Kong" Coos were changed into "Made in China" Coos.

It was assumed that Taiwan (= Republic of China, R.O.C) produced the "China stamped" ones because we have TW stamps on ANH and ROTJ but non ESB figure...therefore lots of ESB figures have CH stamps. This is in fact wrong IMO. It can be proven because there is a Luke Farmboy with TW stamp....so why alter a HK one into China and not the TW one?? Doesn't make sense to me!

The "China" stamped one are from Hong Kong factories. The "China" stamps do mean "People's Republic of China" not "Republic of China"!

It can be found on wikipedia that after the dialogue between the prime ministers of UK and the People's Repuplic of China begun in 1982, factories started to move and expand into China.
"One country-two systems" (direct translated...not sure if its correct in English) was signed on 19th Dec. in 1984.
Kader i.e. moved to China in 1983 (posted by walkie here: WEAPON GUIDE 2.0 --- MASTERTHREAD)

So around 1983 the stamps of some were altered, "HK" changed into "China".

HG is btw "Kader" so it makes sense that it says "Made in China" at some point!

Does that help??

Wolff

edit: After all the history around 1982-1984 is very complicated regarding Hong Kong and China. I still think somehow Hong Kong was getting to small. They were world's largest toy producing area (and still are if I am informed right) so it totally made sense to "expand" in the near by cities as soon as it was clear that GB and China would find an agreement to make it possible to also produce in China but in the same time export to "capitalistic" world market!
Click to expand...

Second: It is not said how big or how many plants i.e. Kader had? These were the big ones and I only have seen quality samples etc with U , K or S....speaking of ESB.

edit: yeah...then companies would be better...I agree. Sorry...haven't read your post close enough
 
Last edited:
Great Wolff, exactly what I was looking for.

Can anyone provide a scan of a 41 back with a "K" or "S" marking ?!
 
Don't know if this has been discussed, but I wonder if the letters commonly seen written on EPs coincide with the same vendor codes. I know that 'Ks' and 'Us' are quite commonly seen EPs. Anyone know?
 
They are...but I only have seen U and S...not sure on K...though

If you read up the thread reagrding the factory codes (see page 1), there I have linked more links regarding quality samples from the archive.
 
Interesting stuff. I am wondering if the marks represent where the cardbacks were made, or both the toys and cardbacks? Were the toys and cardbacks made in the same plant?
 
greedodidntshoot said:
Don't know if this has been discussed, but I wonder if the letters commonly seen written on EPs coincide with the same vendor codes. I know that 'Ks' and 'Us' are quite commonly seen EPs. Anyone know?
Click to expand...


That's definitely correct on the EP's, I had a few Lukes at one point (4 in total), and they had these letters, or at least a couple did.
 
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